Review: Little Feat ‘Sam’s Place’
By Hal Horowitz
Most people don’t associate Little Feat with the blues. But the West Coast band, who started in 1969, typically tapped into the genre as part of their diverse gumbo which also included funk, folk, and country, along with rock and roll. Those who go way back will remember that their debut included covers of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Forty-Four Blues” and “How Many More Years.”
Still, it comes as a surprise that the current edition of Little Feat, would release an entire set dedicated to the genre, the first such recording in their lengthy career. Even more unusual is that veteran conga player Sam Clayton, whose name is referenced in the Sam’s Place title, handles all the vocals.
The now 78-year-old percussionist would previously chime in occasionally, but seldom sang lead. Yet here he is the only vocalist, delivering the bluesy goods with a raw, gravely baritone that makes even the gruff Wolf sound as smooth as Robert Cray in comparison.
Only one of the nine songs is original; the opening “Milkman,” partly penned by Clayton. The rest are mostly familiar fare, especially if you are acquainted with the Chess catalogs of Muddy Waters (four tunes), Little Walter (2 tracks) and Wolf (1). Add a ringer from Bobby Charles (“Why People Like That,” perhaps his best known effort), for a tough, occasionally fiery, set bringing Feat’s established sound to the blues, as opposed to vice versa.
The boiling, funky opener could have been written decades ago as Clayton takes lead on a thumping swamper that sets the Feat’s running. Occasional horns and the band’s two guitarists—long-time member Fred Tackett and newcomer Scott Sharrad (from Gregg Allman’s band)– bring plucky rocking to the table. The latter displays his slide skills on a rowdy, piano pounding “You’ll Be Mine,” one of Muddy’s lesser known compositions and also features Bonnie Raitt.
This combination of Feat’s organic boogie with powerful Chicago blues classics and a few obscurities brings bubbly carbonation to iconic tracks like Waters’ “Can’t Be Satisfied.” Here, new drummer Tony Leon kicks into a tough backbeat while keyboardist Bill Payne, the outfit’s only remaining original member, pounds out a New Orleans piano as potent as anything this side of Professor Longhair. Feat welcomes guest harmonica-blower Michael “Bull” LoBue for Little Walter’s slow blues “Last Night,” which also features Tackett grinding out a searing guitar solo.
Clayton’s guttural growl might need a few spins to warm up to, but he delivers these tunes with enthusiasm and an obvious joy that compensates for his lack of vocal proficiency. And when the band combusts to cook on a scintillating performance of Walter’s hit “Mellow Down Easy,” everything merges into a cauldron of sizzling, funky blues that’s contagious and impossible to sit still when hearing.
Perhaps they could have dug deeper than to close with a live take of the well-worn chestnut “I’ve Got My Mojo Workin’,” certainly in the running for the most recorded blues song in the Chess/Waters catalog. But they acquit themselves well on a vibrant version of it.
The effervescent enthusiasm Feat applies to these blues gems shows that, even without the participation of long deceased founder Lowell George, and the more recent deaths of drummer Richie Hayward and guitarist Paul Barrere, there’s plenty of potency left in these guys.
Even if this just buys time until they write another batch of originals, the rollicking and wonderfully energetic Sam’s Place is well worth putting on your sailin’ shoes for and following Little Feat’s side road into the blues.
“Can’t Be Satisfied”
Little Feat website
Nice review! I believe Lowell, Richie, and Paul would approve.
Loving Sam on vocals here!
Go Feat!
When will Little Feat record a full album of original music. Covers are nice but I grew up in the 70’s listening to Little Feat. Even saw Lowell back in the day. This lineup has talent enough to write some songs for the love of Lowel, Richie, and Paul.