“Dixie Chicken.” “Sailin’ Shoes.” “Fat Man in the Bathtub.” “Feats Don’t Fail Me Now.” “Time Loves a Hero.” “Willin’.” “Oh, Atlanta.” “All That You Dream.” Little Feat has created its own version of the Great American Songbook, and boy, can they play those songs. As great as the records are, there is nothing like live music—this is, after all, the band that created one of the two or three greatest live albums ever, Waiting for Columbus.
Back in 1969, Lowell George met Bill Payne, and not long after, they had a band. Richie Hayward came in on drums. Lowell tried Paul Barrere on bass—not a successful experiment—but in a couple of years Paul joined on his proper instrument, the guitar. Over the next few years, Kenny Gradney emerged to be the right bass player and Sam Clayton took the percussion seat. Lowell George passed, and eventually Bob Dylan’s guitarist Fred Tackett joined the family. Illness stole Richie away in 2010, and his former drum tech, Gabe Ford (nephew of Robben and a member of Robben’s band), took the seat.
For this particular tour, Feat is pleased to be joined by the Ramble Band Horns (Erik Lawrence, Steve Bernstein, and Jay Collins)…serious punch!
They mixed their native Los Angeles rock with New Orleans gumbo, funk, jazz, rock, soul and boogie. The critics cheered and the audiences danced. So many miles, so many shows. The fire still burns bright, and the 50th is an anniversary you just can’t ignore, as Paul Barrere noted: “What an honor to be associated with Little Feat celebrating our 50th anniversary together. The love and respect we’ve received from our peers and fans tells me just how worthwhile our music truly is. Here’s hoping we get to see you at one of our stops on this momentous 2019 tour. Come celebrate with us 50 years of creating our own unique songbook.“
Or, as Bill put it:
“50 years
A blur and blend of memories and elastic time
The sky was the limit
a sorrowful tune rising to a chorus of joy
a dance with a thousand steps
unruly in its cadence suggestive of timidity and fearlessness
Forever horizons brought to a standstill
Reignited with love and passion
Another chance to play music on our terms
50 years of dreams realized and shattered
Kept alive in our hearts
Kept alive by danger and luck
With an insistence on quality and exploration
providing an alliance and handshake to
band, friends, fans, and family alike
50 Years of Little Feat
Time Loves a Hero”
It’s time to roll another one.
March 7, Thurs. Warner Theatre, Washington, DC Presale: 11/28, On Sale: 11/30
March 8, Fri. Beacon Theatre, New York City with the full Midnight Ramble Band (Larry Campbell and Amy Helm). Presale: 12/5, On Sale 12/7
March 9, Sat. Scottish Rite Auditorium, Collingswood, NJ PreSale: 11/28, On Sale 11/30
March 11, Mon. Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount, VA Presale: 11/27, On Sale 11/30
March 12, Tues. Atlanta Symphony Hall, Atlanta, GA Presale: 11/29, On Sale 11/30
March 13, Weds. Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, Asheville, NC Presale: 11/29, On Sale 11/30
March 15, Fri. Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN Presale: 11/29, On Sale 11/30
March 18, Mon. King Ctr. for the Performing Arts, Melbourne, FL Presale: 11/28 & 29, On Sale 11/30
March 19, Tues. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, FL with Buddy Guy On Sale: 11/30
March 20, Weds. Florida Theatre, Jacksonville, FL On Sale: 11/30
March 22, Fri. Pembroke Pines City Center, Pembroke Pines, FL On Sale 11/29
March 26-30 Melia Braco Village Resort, Trelawny, Jamaica with the Ramble Band and Lucinda Williams (sold out)
