Little Feat strikes again with 鈥楽trike Up the Band鈥�
AP
“Strike Up the Band” is a glorious celebration of Little Feat’s musical influence over the last five decades.
My oldest brother was a faithful follower of the California band fronted by vocalist and guitarist Lowell George.
As a result of my brother’s urging, I became a fan after listening to his vinyl copy of 1977’s “Time Loves a Hero” containing a title track possessing a soulful vibe similarly featured on 1977’s “Livin’ on the Fault Line,” one of my favorite releases from the Doobie Brothers.
Little Feat would follow the next year with “Waiting for Columbus,” a vibrant live recording that perfectly captures the band’s engaging stage performances.
While the group has certainly seen its share of personnel changes over the years, the heart of the music remains solidly intact.
The latest 13-track set offers another eclectic blending of Americana, blues, folk, funk and jazz propelled by brilliant musicianship and colorful storytelling.
“4 Days of Heaven, 3 Days of Work” opens the album and sets the tone for what is to follow by delivering an infectious funk groove, punctuated by a blazing horn section.
Cajun flavorings are sprinkled throughout “Bayou Mama” with founding member Bill Payne’s spirited keyboard skills guiding the arrangement that slowly shimmies and shakes around stirring guitar riffs.
“Midnight Flight” finds Scott Sharrard lending his vocals to the number that describes the urgency of returning home to a loved one when declaring, “This jet plane starts humming and I can’t wait to be free/ In that silver bird flying across the seven seas/ I’m coming home to you.”
The title track features Sharrard once again on lead vocals with a little assistance from Larkin Poe on backing vocals.
The band displays its knack for playfully placing a little humor in their messages during “Too High to Cut My Hair.” The funk is definitely in the house on this track based on a true experience.
If indeed it is true that time loves a hero, then we all can rejoice in knowing there is still plenty of great music generously flowing from Little Feat as they find the inspiration to strike up the band once again.
Clinton Rhodes is a Belle Vernon resident.