Defend Its Existence: Little Feat

By Chris Parker
Add Comment Add Comment | Comments: 1 | Posted Dec. 29, 2010

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It’s entirely possible to have issue with Little Feat’s mid-to-late ’70s jazz-fusion direction; guitarist/founder Lowell George certainly did. But that discounts Little Feat’s amazing first four albums in the early ’70s when George was at the height of his powers. Fresh from Mothers of Invention, he captains a rocking blend of blues, garage and country-folk that still bears the imprint of Zappa’s idiosyncrasy for their stunning self-titled debut. Commercial considerations drove the follow-up, Sailin Shoes, but if not as weird, the writing’s even stronger. Dixie Chicken followed in ’73—after a lineup change—featuring the title cut whose laidback but funky Big Easy roots boogie would become their signature. George’s death in ’79 brought an eight-year hiatus and sapped the band, but the lineup’s remained remarkably consistent through the years, and the music’s still terrific. Though George’s brilliance remains largely unsung, his mates perpetuate his legacy with vibrant performances.

Fri., Dec. 31, 9pm. $39.50-$55. Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside. 215.572.7650. keswicktheatre.com

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1. Anonymous said... on Dec 31, 2010 at 02:22PM

“Friends and I saw Lowell George in a little bar in Brown's Mills, NJ in the late 70's and it was the best show ever. He was an amazing Gentle Giant..The next morning, we heard on the radio that he had a heart attack and passed away. It was heart breaking to all. I saw Little Feat last year around this time at the Keswick Theatre and they were good. Not the same as with Lowell, but worth it.”

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