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 it's 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
of 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, finally
now 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 Feats 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.
Pawed by Mott The Dog
Remastered by Ella Crew
E-mail: review@mott-the-dog.com
