Sea Of Tranquility



The Web Source for Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal & Jazz-Fusion
  Search   in       
Main Menu




Little Feat: Strike Up the Band

Eighteen studio albums into their career, and Los Angeles swamp/southern/jam rockers Little Feat keep on rollin' with their latest effort Strike Up the Band. The current line-up of the band includes: Bill Payne-keyboards, vocals Sam Clayton-congas, vocals, percussion Kenny Gradney-bass, backing vocals Fred Tackett-guitar, mandolin, trumpet, vocals Scott Sharrard-guitar, vocals Tony Leone-drums, vocals

You might see some names you don't quite recognize there, as the band has had their share of line-up changes over the years, but make no mistake about it, the end result still sounds like Little Fear. "4 Days of Heaven 3 Days of Work" is a lively, fun song, like a cross between '90s Allmans, current Doobies, and classic Little Feat. Catchy chorus, great horns, sizzling slide guitar...what more could you want? "Bayou Mama" is a laid back groovy tune like you would expect from Little Feat, just breezy, summertime fun, featuring some tasty Scott Sharrard slide guitars, and the drumming/percussion of Tony Leone & Sam Clayton is very well done. "Shipwrecks" follows, a catchy track, with great vocals, very Southern rock/pop sounding, more of those tasty guitars. it's another winner. More of those vintage, funky Little Feat grooves can be heard on "Midnight Flight". Plenty of horns, simmering organ from Bill Payne...can't help think how much this also sounds like the Doobie Brothers in spots. The chorus is quite memorable, and the female backing vocals are a nice touch. Fun song! Other highlights include "Too High to Cut My Hair", another funky track, lyrics are kind of silly, but it's an infectious song, love the rhythms and horns, and "Bluegrass Pines", which contains more of those wicked slide guitar lines and catchy vocals. I also really enjoy "Love and Life (Never Fear)", which again is agreat vehicle for some sizzling slide, and "Disappearing Ink" reminds me of Tom Petty a little with its heartland feel. "Dance a Little" sees the horns pop back in, a good thing in my opinion, and "New Orleans Cries a Little When She Sings" is a fun slow builder of a song with lyrics that will hit home for any resident of Louisiana.

Some of the other tracks don't move the needle much for me and are a tad laid back, but there's way more good than 'mediocre' on the album, and I think if you are a Little Feat fan, there's plenty to recommend here. It's proving to be a fun summertime album listen...and we all need 'feel good' music these days.


Track Listing
1) 4 Days of Heaven 3 Days of Work
2) Bayou Mama
3)Shipwrecks
4) Midnight Flight
5)Too High to Cut My Hair
6) When Hearts Fall
7) Strike Up the Band
8) Bluegrass Pines
9) Disappearing Ink
10) Love and Life (Never Fear)
11) Dance a Little
12) Running Out of Time With the Blues
13) New Orleans Cries When She Sings

Added: August 9th 2025
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 217
Language: english

[ Printer Friendly Page Printer Friendly Page ]
[ Send to a Friend Send to a Friend ]

  

[ Back to the Reviews Index ]



© 2004 Sea Of Tranquility
For information regarding where to send CD promos and advertising, please see our FAQ page.
If you have questions or comments, please Contact Us.
Please see our Policies Page for Site Usage, Privacy, and Copyright Policies.

All logos and trademarks in this site are property of their respective owner. The comments are property of their posters, all other content © Sea of Tranquility

SoT is Hosted by SpeedSoft.com