by Mott the Dog
***** 5 stars
Having been a long time fan of this wonderful
multi-talented band. When their double live vinyl album was released in
1978, it was with great excitement that it was whisked home to my rustic
record player. The volume was turned up to ‘unbearable’ and the Dog
spent his day listening to one of America’s finest, laying down a live
set that would curry a favorable impression with any band on the planet. I
happily state that ‘Waiting for Columbus’ should be up there with all
the other great live albums of the seventies. But then what constitutes a
great live album? It’s clearly not the mere replication of a band’s
studio performances. That approach may satisfy the attending audience
whilst proving how clever a band can be, although not showing any
imagination or creativity. But what’s the point of making a record of
one that already exists? It’s far more rewarding to experience a live
album on which the boys really get stuck in and show what they can do when
released from the confines of the studio, and all the record company
‘suits’ in attendance. Other examples include the Who’s scorching
1970 document ‘Live at Leeds’, where “The Who” were able to show
off what an inspiring and exhilarating rock ‘n’ roll band they were
outside the confines of hit singles and rock operas, or “The Allman
Brothers Band” at the Filmore East, when a band can expand the length of
a song searching out every aspect of its outer regions.
What makes ‘Waiting for Columbus’ so memorable is
that it seamlessly puts all the qualities of a great live album into one
neat little package. Upon its first release there was perhaps a feeling of
some regret that not the whole of a ‘Little Feat’s’ set could be
squeezed onto four sides of vinyl and a three album set would have been
welcome, but then we should be happy with what we got. But when it was
originally released on the CD format, fans of the Feat really did have
cause for grousing, as to fit into the requisite CD formula three further
songs were cut from the running list, considered by all to be very
unsatisfactory. However, it has finally now been released in a two CD set
in its full glory with original tracks replaced, plus the addition of ten
wonderful new songs added on with some extra in-between banter from the
band.
From the warm up cappella that the band ritually used
to sing on their way to the stage, to the Country Joe Woodstock style
intro, right the way through to the closing jam of final encore ‘Feats
Don’t Fail Me Now’, you get it all. As soon as the band hit the stage
they lock into the opening groove of ‘Fat Man in the Bathtub’ and you
are whisked away to the feeling of belonging that normally only happens on
very special Rock ‘n’ Roll occasions, like being in TQ corner on a
great night!
There are too many highlights to mention them all, but
accolades must be given to the ‘Tower of Power’ Horn section that
joins the band from the fourth song ‘Oh Atlanta’, where the whole
ensemble really begins to cook. An extended version of perhaps the
Feat’s most well known number, ‘Dixie Chicken’, when all the members
of the band had room to show their talents.
Of course, spread like a thick layer of choice caviar
every song has its fair share of brilliance from Lowell George, whose
sumptuous slide guitar and unique vocals dominate this set. George’s
‘Mercenary Territory’ is probably one of the best live moments of
music ever recorded. After a break from the ‘Tower of Power’ Horn
section, Lowell George comes charging in right after them, leaving nobody
in doubt as to who the Boss is.
That is not to say it is just the Lowell George show -
far from it. Kenny Gradney lays down perfect bass rhythms adding just the
right amount of funk to the proceedings. Sam Clayton’s percussion give
the Feat their unique sound. Richie Haywood is one of the busiest drummers
in the business. Bill Payne lays down some of the finest all round
keyboard work to be heard on any live album, whilst Paul Barrere’s lead
guitar work was the perfect foil for the music to hang onto, giving added
depth to the band’s forays into the land of jazz/rock fusion like on the
nearly fourteen minute long impromptu jam of ‘Day at the Dog Races’.
If you like your music live played by slick musicians
who like to live on the edge and are not afraid to let go and give it
their all, then this could be exactly what you are looking for. Brilliant!
It is quite extraordinarily sad that within a year
‘Little Feat’ were no more and Lowell George had left this planet, as
many feared he would. But the legacy of music left behind is a fine one
with this perhaps being the jewel in the crown. Several years later the
remainder of the band reformed under the ‘Little Feat’ banner, but,
although they were a popular live attraction, without George the magic had
gone.
Track listing:
1 Join the Band
2 Fatman in the bathtub
3 All that you dream
4 Oh Atlanta
5 Old folk’s boogie
6 Dixie chicken
7 Tripe faced boogie
8 Rocket in my pocket
9 Time loves a hero
10 Day or night
11 Mercenary territory
12 Spanish moon
13 Willin
14 Don’t Bogart
15 A Apolitical blues
16 Sailin shoes
17 Feat’s don’t fail me now
18 One love stand
19 Rock n roll doctor
20 Skin it back
21 On your way down
22 Walkin all night
23 Cold cold cold
24 Day at the dog races
25 Skin it back
26 Red steam hammer
27 Teenage nervous breakdown
Musicians:
Kenny Gradney / Bass and Vocals
Lowell George / Slide guitar and Vocals
Bill Payne / Keyboards and Vocals
Sam Clayton / Percussion and Vocals
Ritchie Hayward / Drums and Vocals
Paul Barrere / Lead guitar and Vocals
To contact Mott the Dog email: [email protected]
Book Review: Defacto Meditation and Relaxation
Mott’s CD review: