Little Feat

So, picture this: the thinking person's Southern rock band that combine the funk of New Orleans, the musical skills of jazz fusion pioneers Weather Report and the sweetest singing and songwriting this side of Lucinda Williams. Well, that about sums up Little Feat, circa 1977, when this concert was filmed in Essen, Germany. Little Feat blaze through a varied set of material that ranges from trucker anthem "Willin'' to the Meters-fuelled funk of "Dixie Chicken" to the blazing but relaxed "Day at the Dog Races." This is a band in full flight and at the top of their game. Drummer Richie Hayward breathes fire throughout, bassist Kenny Gradney and percussionist Sam Clayton are just a mountain of groove laying it all out for Bill Payne's alternately barrelhouse and Zawinul-ish keyboard work. Lowell George and Bill Payne smoke as guitarists and vocalists but it is George who's the soul of this band, whose vocals and lyrics shine through. Little Feat were never the same after his untimely death. This features killer music, great footage and is a pure joy to watch.