Customer Reviews

Chinese Work Songs

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Lowell George wrote in the liner notes to"The Last Record Album" that he just sat back and watched " the rest of the folk in the group bring forth an identity that represents the so-called musical statement about the whole being the sum total of its parts." Those parts have continued to produce some fine sounds on the latest Little Feat offering "Chinese Work Songs."

The performances here are first rate as always and Bill Payne & Paul Barrere continue as fine songwriters. Payne truly shines on "Just Another Sunday", a song co-written with Shaun Murphy which is reminiscent of "Representing the Mambo" and "Gringo." Barrerre teams with Fred Tackett to produce "Eula" and the infectious "Marginal Creatures."

The surprise here may be the inclusion of four cover tunes (none by Allen Toussaint). Dylan's "It takes a lot to Laugh..." has been a staple of Feat's recent live shows & really highlights Shaun Murphy's vocals. And "Rag Mama Rag" sounds as if Robbie Robertson wrote the tune with Feat in mind.

All in all, this CD is a winner. Let's hope that rock radio can see beyond "Dixie Chicken" and give "Chinese Work Songs" a spin.

Little Feat's latest rates with Ain't Had Enough Fun as the finest studio work by the 30-year-old-and-still-going-strong Little Feat. The original material is as good as ever, and the 4 'cover' tunes can hardly be called 'covers' at the hands of this band - they soar. Recent touring dates by LF members with Phil Lesh and Bob Dylan are developing a new generation of Feat Fans. Check out the 'modern rock' feel of Feat's rendition of Phish's Sample In A Jar... too cool! Great latin grooves in the original tune 'Just Another Sunday', authentic country texture in 'Gimme A Stone' - all in addition to every song having that signature funky/jazz/cajun Little Feat groove. This band does it all, and continues to dare the corporate radio/music industry to find them. You won't tire of this CD...

Well, with the Band pretty much gone, I have to turn to Little Feat (whose second wind was much better than the Band's). Chinese Work Songs marks their 30 year mark and what can one say but wow. Hardly any band who has been around for this long can sound this great (something that even my beloved Rolling Stones can't claim). And while I know and everyone knows that this Little Feat little resembles the quartet that was formed by Lowell George in 1970, their transformation from trippy southern rock-country-blues band to awesome roadhouse unit is a refreshing one. I would hate for anyone in the band to attempt to write the surrealist lyrics that Lowell could throw off in his prime. It was a smart move for them to realize just what their limitations were and forge ahead. And really, despite the bizarre lyrics, they can still do just about anything they could in the past. What is important that Little Feat still puts out great music! It is music that you can turn on without having to skip any tracks muttering vague phrases about retirement and poor musicianship. This album proves all of that in spades. Turning in one of their tightest albums of recent years, the Feat throw off four covers that really cook (especially Phish's Sample in a Jar and the Band's Rag Mama Rag.) The originals are great, too, with Shaun Murphy topping her Hoy Hoy performance with Rio Esperanza and the band really rocking with Eula. Sometimes, they throw off a clunker (Tattoo Heart isn't so swift) but it is a mere detour in the beautiful rocking road that is Little Feat. I may never tire of this band.

This is great stuff! I was a little disappointed with "Under The Radar" but The gang has come back strong with this one. All the fun is back with songs like "Gimme a Stone" and "Rag Mama Rag." Great musicianship as usual! If you are a Feat fan of old ... GET THIS CD! Not quite as good as "Let It Roll" or "Ain't Had Enough Fun" but a good one nonetheless! Great covers of The Band, Phish and Bob Dylan. Cajun Rock at it's best!

Little Feat's most recent release, Chinese Work Songs offers quite a tasty sampling of songs. The title track carefully employs some neat Chinese instrumental stylings mixed in within some raunchy driving rock n roll. The rhythms from song to song are all quite captivating as the band shows no limit in expanding their style. Probably the highlight of the record is Richie Hayward's charming vocal delivery on Gimee A Stone. Shaun Murphy is in ultra fine form on all her vocals lead or harmony.

I refrain from giving this collection five stars because the songs are just not on the same level as Dixie Chicken, Sailing Shoes, Let It Roll, or the more recent Aint Had Enough Fun. The hooks on the seven originals just are not as captivating as Rock N Roll Everynight, Cadillac Hotel, Heaven's Where You Find It, and Romance Without Finance from the previously mentioned Aint Had Enough Fun disc. And Dixie Chicken's best tracks just blow this stuff away. Don't get me wrong, these songs are all pretty good. But its just not of the Legendary Satus that these guys/lady have done in the past. If you are a die hard feat fan, pcik this one up as you can't go wrong.

With the demise of the Greatful Dead, this album should propel Little Feat to the title of The Best Rock 'n' Roll Band. This album just plain kicks *** Well, I do wan this to be a family readable review, so you can put your own words there!

The covers of "Rag Mama Rag" and "It Takes a Lot to Laugh..." are excellent and unmistakeably Little Feat. The group really kicks back to the "Dixie Chicken" days with "Just Another Sunday". Without realizing it, I found myself in my car with the windows down, stereo cranked to max while cruisin' down the highway. My vote for Best Cut on the disk.

The title cut is a wonderful blend that is stamped "Made By Little Feat". Top quality al the way through. "Eula" was very reminiscent of "Fat man in a Bathtub". I could almost see Lowell George in the background.

My old live Little Feat tape is long since worn out. If this CD were a tape, it too would be worn out is very short order!

Worth the price of the CD just to hear the awesome cover of Phish's "Sample In a Jar". Throw in Rag Mama Rag, Eula, and Gimme A Stone and you can't go wrong.

Let me say that Little Feat has been my favorite band since Sailin Shoes (Thanks I'll eat it here!). As such I own all their LPs/CDs + some of those 'special' recordings. This is the best Feat LP since Time Loves a Hero. The last few CD's have been hit and miss... great songs but too much mid-tempo balladry. Chinese Work Songs is an eclectic mix like the old days. The sound is beautiful, playing great and it sounds like a band. This is the best fit Shaun has had since she joined. I even like the cover songs. There's only 1 song that I'm crazy about but i've played this so much since I received it from Amazon that i'm starting to like it now as well. If you like feat by this. If you like music buy this. If you're sick of all those matchbox 20 bands BUY THIS. And join the little feat fan club!

This Album is the best album I have ever own and I love it. Covering those songs were tight and right on the money.... The original songs where some of the best songs I've ever heard by any artist. I rate this album with 5 stars a complete CLASSIC!!!!

After the very disappointing UNDER THE RADAR a couple of years ago, I wasn't sure I could ever get excited over a new Little Feat release again. Fortunately, I heard "Rag, Mama, Rag" on The World Cafe radio show and realized that, although it was a cover, the Feat were back on track. They do several covers and the rest are originals, but this CD brings to mind the diversity the Feat were always famous for. It's a "Sailin' Shoes" kind of album: eclectic, upbeat, toe-tappin' and every bit what late founder Lowell George would have done had he been around in 2000.

Buy this album, Feat-fans! It's a great way to turn people on to the band, too. A co-worker had never heard of them and once he heard this album, he was ready to go through everything from the debut album to "Shake Me Up".

Hella-cool.