Little Feat

Often regarded as the classic jamband, Little Feat perseveres after thirty plus years by adhering to a strong touring schedule, while continually offering open collaboration with other acts in the current improvisational music/festival scene. With covers that range from The Band and Phish, to original songs that number from the early 70's to today; Little Feat may not grab the headlines any more, but they still know how to play high energy performances.

Southern California's answer to "Southern Music," Little Feat has championed the mix of blues, country, cajun, funk, boogie, and straight on rock and roll to develop a cult following that still adheres. There also aren't too many bands that carry the session credits that the players in Little Feat carry. You name the artist - James Taylor, Robert Plant, Bonnie Raitt- chances are a member of Little Feat has appeared on one of their albums. Today, Little Feat is comprised of both founding members as well as new members, since their 70’s hey day.

Highwire Act Live In St. Louis, recorded live in August 2003, is Little Feat's first-ever performance shot in hi-definition technology. Knowing prior to the evening's show that the event would be filmed for release, Little Feat came out with their game and their camera faces on. From the onset, guitarist Paul Barrere bellows the stage cliché, "how you all feeling out there? Feeling good?" The crowd roars in down-home approval, knowing this was a night to take home. Although there are a bit too many camera shots of the rhythmically challenged audience, swaying, singing, and dancing out of synch to the music, Little Feat consistently kept focused on tight musicianship throughout.

The set and ultimately the DVD, feature a nice mix of classic and new Little Feat tunes that showcase the band’s eclectic yearnings. The slick jazz rocker "Day Or Night" features some swift guitar trade-offs between Fred Tackett and Paul Barrere. The funky, yet posh "Spanish Moon" gets things moving in fastlane California style, alongside some crafty piano work by Bill Payne. "Cajun Girl" shows a spicy mandolin solo by Tackett that has the forty-something crowd doing their best ho-down. The upbeat "Blues Don't Tell It All," is a neat rocker that carries a winning beat. The atypical Little Feat tune, "Fat Man In The Bathtub," showcases the synthesizer wizard Bill Payne, ripping it up in a variety of keys. Meanwhile the stirring version of "Willin," proves through the band's earnest expressions and delicate musical care, that this timeless ode to driving on the open road… never tires.

As one of California's most influential bands of the '70s, Highwire Act Live In St. Louis, proves Little Feat was pretty memorable back then, and continues to stomp plenty of fresh memories today.