Record of the Day: Little Feat, “Waiting for Columbus”

Little Feat
“Waiting for Columbus” (2 CD Warner Bros. R 2 78274)

Since 1969, Little Feat have continued to prepare their blend of rock, funk, R&B, Cajun, and a thousand other different musical spices,
which flow into a boiling cauldron capable of unleashing any audience, especially in live performances.
Led for many years by guitarist, composer and singer Lowell George (who died prematurely in 1979 due to a heart attack), the group’s musicians continued over the years to travel the highways on very long American tours, taking a stylistic turn in the mid-80s in a more jazz-rock direction thanks to the influence of keyboardist Bill Payne, and recovering their more rock-oriented style only in the following albums.

Their discography is excellent, with every title worthy of mention, from “Sailin’ Shoes” to “Down on the Farm”, but undoubtedly the best way to enjoy Little Feat’s exciting music is on this incredible live album from 1978, which finds the group at the zenith of their brilliance.
In reality “Waiting for Columbus” was later retouched in the studio by fixing several details that did not satisfy Lowell George, but none of the original spontaneity is lost in these recordings made between England and the United States.

In front of an enthusiastic audience, Little Feat explored their repertoire with stunning versions of songs such as “Fat Man in the Bathtub” (led by Richie Hayward’s explosive drumming), “Oh Atlanta”, “Dixie Chichen”, characterised by elastic yet powerful rhythms, dazzling blues/rock guitar solos, funky keyboards, excellent vocals and backing vocals from all, with the addition of the mighty Tower of Power horn section, which raised the roof of the auditorium on “Spanish Moon”, “Tripe Face Boogie” and “Feats Don’t Fail Me Now” and whose saxophonist Lenny Pickett produced a stunning solo on “Mercenary Territory”.

There are some more thoughtful moments, like the famous ballad “Willin'”, but for the most part the album runs very fast, supported by the unstoppable bass of Kenny Gradney and the guitars of Paul Barrére and George himself. This CD edition has a very high quality sound and also includes well-crafted songs that for reasons of space were not released on the vinyl version.

Carlo Boccadoro, composer and conductor, was born in Macerata in 1963. He lives and works in Milan. He collaborates with soloists and orchestras in different parts of the world. He is the author of numerous books on musical subjects.

This text is taken from “Lunario della musica: Un disco per ogni giorno dell’anno” published by Einaudi, courtesy of the author and the publisher.