Two of Little Feat’s best – Sailin’ Shoes and Dixie Chicken – have been newly remastered for upcoming Deluxe Editions that will introduce unreleased live and studio recordings that capture peak Feat.
Rhino will release SAILIN’ SHOES (DELUXE EDITION) and DIXIE CHICKEN (DELUXE EDITION) on June 23. Each collection will be available in two different configurations, a 2-CD set for $24.98 and a 3-LP 180-gram vinyl version for $59.98. Pre-order HERE.
Released in 1972, Sailin’ Shoes was the second studio album from the founding quartet of singer-guitarist Lowell George, drummer Richard Hayward, keyboard player Bill Payne, and bassist Roy Estrada. Ted Templeman produced the record, which was the first to feature artwork by illustrator Neon Park, who created covers for nearly all of Little Feat’s albums.
SAILIN’ SHOES (DELUXE EDITION) opens with a newly remastered version of the original album, which introduced signature tunes like “Easy To Slip,” the title track, and an updated version of “Willin’” a song that also appeared in 1971 on the band’s eponymous debut. Several outtakes from the album’s recording sessions make their debut on the Deluxe Edition, including alternate versions of “Cold, Cold, Cold,” “A Apolitical Blues,” and “Willin’.”
The magic that Little Feat conjured in concert takes center stage in the new set with a newly discovered and previously unreleased complete show recorded at the Palladium in Los Angeles on August 28, 1971. This live set marks the only multi-track recording in existence to feature the original lineup of the band. The performance features songs from both Sailin’ Shoes (“Tripe Face Boogie,” “Teenage Nervous Breakdown”) and Little Feat (“Hamburger Midnight,” “Snakes On Everything.”) The set also comes with illustrated liner notes written by acclaimed music journalist, David Fricke.
Dixie Chicken, the band’s third studio album, emerged in 1973 and introduced fans to Little Feat’s evolving sound and new line-up. The group’s shift toward New Orleans-style funk was accompanied by the arrival of three new members, guitarist Paul Barrere, percussionist Sam Clayton, and bassist Kenny Gradney (who replaced Estrada).
DIXIE CHICKEN (DELUXE EDITION) contains the newly remastered album, which features classics like “Two Trains,” “Fat Man In The Bathtub,” and the title track. Several unreleased session recordings debut in the new set, including alternate versions of “Roll Um Easy,” “On Your Way Down,” and “Juliette.” The unreleased live music was recorded at Paul’s Mall in Boston on March 1, 1973. They feature songs from Dixie Chicken (“Two Trains,” “Walkin’ All Night”) and the band’s earlier albums (“Willin’,” “Got No Shadow.”) The illustrated liner notes included in the collection were written by author Dennis McNally, who got his start as the Grateful Dead’s publicist.
Little Feat will celebrate these deluxe editions with “The Albums Tour” this fall, which will feature the band playing each album in its entirety across back-to-back nights at select venues (night one will be Sailin’ Shoes and night two will be Dixie Chicken). Preceding “The Album Tour,” the band is currently in the midst of their “Boogie Your Spring Away” tour, making their way across the East Coast in the coming days before making special appearances at the MerleFest in North Carolina April 27 and The Green River Festival on June 25 in Massachusetts. After a short break, Little Feat will hop back on the road for the “Boogie Your Summer Away” tour, kicking off July 12 in Atlanta and wrapping up summer dates at the Hot August Music Festival on August 19 in Maryland.
