Customer Reviews

Little Feat: Skin It Back

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Skin It Back

The appearance of Little Feat at the Grugahalle in Essen, Germany, in July of 1977 was unusual in more ways than one:

First there was Peter Ruechel, creator of the Rockpalast (Rock Palace), who was a long time fan of the band. A year earlier he had gone to a Rolling Stones concert in Stuttgart just to see Little Feat, who were the opening act. From then on he worked like crazy to arrange for their appearance at the Rockpalast. It was to happen during the first long RP night, and it was to be broadcast live all over Europe.

Then there were the local TV crews, who got their first experience in filming and broadcasting 3 rock concerts that went on all night long.

Little Feat's music seemed unusual to some, and they were relatively unknown in Europe, although they had reached a high point in their creativity in the USA. They were, and still are today, at their very best during live performances, and members of the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin were often found among the concert goers.

Bootlegs, unauthorized live recordings, had flourished for years on the black market. So Little Feat decided to release an official live album, which was recorded in London and Washington, DC during the 7 shows after the historic Rockpalast appearance. The result was "Waiting for Columbus", by many fans and critics considered to be the best live rock album of all times, even though it was overdubbed in the studio later.

The Rockpalast concert is pure live Little Feat, as is breathtakingly evident on "Skin It Back". Although the VHS version, and later the 2000 DVD version with commentary from keyboardist Bill Payne and guitarist Paul Barrere circulated for years among fans, this new release is the one that really kicks! Both audio and video have been remastered for a listening pleasure beyond comparison.

As a bonus there is the 30 minute sound check from the afternoon of July 23, 1977, a real diamond in the rough with its seven tracks, including "Rock And Roll Doctor" which, unfortunately, didn't make it into the recording of the show. These tracks, known only to a few insiders, have been pulled from the holy grail of the Rockpalast to be enjoyed by all like a fine, rare wine.

30 minutes of bonus material might not sound like very much, but 30 minutes is a long time for a sound check. Cameras are everywhere, giving the viewer the feeling of being right there on stage with the band for the first Rockpalast night. It is obvious that the TV crew is testing their limits and that Little Feat themselves are having a great time.

Not a trace of the rumored tension between band members, except for one time during the show when Lowell George left the stage during "Day At The Dog Races" to demonstrate that the jazzy instrumental was not exactly his cup of tea.

Unlike the rest of the DVD, the bonus tracks have not been remastered, giving viewers the chance to experience this piece of rock history as it was originally recorded.

Kudos also to the extensive info in the liner notes, which includes a story by Peter Ruechel about his memories of the first Rockpalast night with Little Feat and many previously unpublished photos.

Little Feat "Skin It Back - Live At Rockpalast" is not just for die hard Featfans, but also a must-have for all friends of excellent, timeless rock music recorded by a band at the peak of their creativity.

This is the same concert that was released a few years back, this time with a little more video clarity, better sound and outtakes from the rehearsals before the show. For diehard Feat fans, it's definitely worth having.

If you are a fan of the band, this dvd is a must purchase. All things considered, its an excellent keepsake of the Feat circa 70's. This dvd was shot just before the recording of one of the greatest live albums ever, the Feat's Waitin for Columbus, so if you enjoyed (and still enjoy) that record, you'll really enjoy one of the few, if any, good quality audio/video representations of the Feat from that era. And its great to see Lowell George again - a true rock n roll giant.

I thought I would be able to ditch my 2000 Rockpalast DVD edition once I bought this new and improved one. But, I think I'm gonna have to keep both.

First, the bonus song "Cold, Cold, Cold" on the 2000 DVD is not included on this new version.

Second, the band comments option on the 2000 DVD is not included on this new version.

On the other hand, the bonus rehearsal tracks only available on this new version make it a keeper for hardcore fans.

Improvements in picture and sound quality in this new version are very minimal in my opinion.

I have been a big Little Feat fan since 1977. This a great concert DVD featuring the original lineup. This DVD is 97 minutes long and contains 6 bonus clips. The footage is vintage L.F. in their prime. There are many great songs here, but it is not a "best of" because it leaves out to many songs from the "Waiting for Columbus" concert. It would have been better if it contained, Time loves a Hero, Mercenary Territory, Spanish Moon, Don't Bogart that Joint, A Political Blues, and Sailin' Shoes. But, hey it's still good and the film quality is pretty decent. The sound has been converted to Dolby Digital with DTS available. The concert has good bass and doesn't sound cheap at all. I believe this might be one of the last few concerts featuring the great Lowell George who died in 1979.

I highly recommend this classic to all my fellow Little Feat fans.

If you are a Lowell George fan who never had the privledge of seeing him perform live this DVD is for you. Great set, rehersal set, good sound and video production... For $14 this is a must own...

I've wanted this performance for ages. I was not disappointed. Little Feat has been one of my favorite bands for decades and although I have went to many of their live performances I never tire of seeing them again, even on DVD.

I'm a long time Feat fan and saw them a bunch of times in DC in 76-77-78 and this dvd with it's remastered video and audio is just liquid gold to me. Lowell George singing in fine voice and having some fun (see the bonus rehearsal/soundcheck footage!) and all of the band in the groove and laying down some of their best songs with heart & soul. The audio mix is worth talking about, because it is not the usual Feat mix you might hear - RIchie Hayward is mixed way up in the harmonies adding an urgency and some tenor to the sound. Sam Clayton does lay down those deep bass parts you know and love and Bill Payne & Paul Barrere show how great they have always been, not only as players, but as singers as well.
It is Lowell George however, who steals this show. If you liked him, you have to own this. If you didn't really know who he was, then you need to own this! Can you say slide guitar master? Vocalist with range, soul & passion - this is the video tribute to his live performance skills.
Bob Adamson

This was filmed in Essen, Germany for the show Rockpalast, during 1977. It has a total approximate running time of 97 minutes. This concert features gome great guitar work & solos, also at times the band just "cuts loose" and JAMS!!!

It features their classic line-up of:
Paul Barr'ere - vocals, guitar
Sam Clayton - Percussion
Lowell George - vocals, guitar
Kenny Gradney - bass
Richard "Richie" Hayward - drums, vocals
Bill Payne - keyboards, vocals

I like these bands that have more than one vocalist. These guys were certainly talented, and played very well together in this concert.

The Song Set is:
1.Skin it back
2.Fat Man in the Bathtub
3.Oh, Atlanta
4.Day at the Dog Races
5.All that You Dream
6.Old Folks Boogie
7.Dixie Chicken (A Real Classic, with a great beat!!!)
8.Tripe Face Boogie
9.Feats Don't Fail Me Now
10.Willin'
11.Rocket in my Pocket

Plus, you get bonus material as follows:
Bonus Rehersal Tracks:
1.Old Folk's Boogie
2.Fat Man in the Bathtub
3.Rock 'N' Roll Doctor
4.Skin it Back/Fat Man in the Bathtub
5.Oh Atlanta
6.Willin'

This is a great concert dvd, and I highly recommend it. Thanks!!!

I'm sitting here in perfect awe. It's a minor miracle to be watching these guys jam in the 'bonus' footage, loose as can be and having a blast as they cruise through a rehearsal for the Rockpalast show featured in this remastered DVD. George's hilarious (out)take on 'Willin', though clocking in at less than 2 minutes, is worth the very reasonable price of the disc alone. Kind of surreal to hear him jokingly state, 'I quit' as he sheds his guitar and heads off stage. Especially so since this band in this form wouldn't last much longer. You couldn't tell that the end was near, though, from the amazing performance in this show.

When I was a fan of the original line-up back in the 70s, I never got a chance to see them live. My friends and I wore out vinyl copies of 'Waitin' for Columbus' at about every gathering imaginable but I had never seen the previous edition or bootleg of this show. In short, this DVD is gold if you ever were a fan and didn't get to see the group with LG. Hell, it's great for ANY fan of great rock & roll, period.