Customer Reviews

Live From Neon Park

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A double cd set that rivals and in many ways surpasses the groups earlier classic live album/cd Waiting For Columbus. An album recorded in 3 different venues that rocks from the opening chords of Two Trains to the closing of their now classic Let it Roll. The highlights of course being the virtuoso musicianship by everyone in the band along with the Joplinesque singing of relative newcomer Shaun Murphy. Bill Payne, Paul Barrere, and Fred Tackett all shine on their respective instruments and if there is another band with a better rhythym section of Richie Hayward, Kenny Gradney, and Sam Clayton, I've never heard them. Listen to Fred Tacketts son, Miles solo on Dixie Chicken and Lowell Georges daughter, Inara sing on Sailin Shoes. Everyone I've played this album for or convinced them to buy,has been blown away by the tightness of the band in the live setting. If you've never seen this incarnation of the band, RUN don't walk to their next concert in your area. Now if I could just get my original copy out of my wife's car CD player! If you get the chance check out their new studio release Under the Radar.

Yeah, most of us figured they couldn't top Columbus. Yeah, most of us bailed on Feat after the death of Lowell. Yeah they put out a few directionless albums soon after, but it seemed like the band, as well as the fans were still gasping for air and wondering what was going to happen next. Sadly, most of us fans turned our back on them and they were quickly relegated to the long list of great bands that had passed their prime.

Have you ever leaned into a left hook?

That is exactly what this cd felt like when I heard it the first time. I was walking down the street, popped into my favorite entertainment center where this was featured in a listening station. After hearing Shaun Murphy's version of "Changing Luck" and "You're taking up Another Man's Place", I had to literally go out to the curb, sit down, and catch my breath. The remakes of the older more familiar Feat regulars not only are the expected excellence, they are if anything even more excellent! The addition of Fred Tackett on guitar adds a completely new spark of creativity that doesn't overshadow Barrere, but allows him to play off of someone who is at least as creative as he. Billy Payne has not lost anything. Clayton, Kenny, and Ritchie still make up the heaviest rhthym section ever created.

If you, like me, had given up on the Feat, apologize to the Muses of the Dixie Chicken and pick up where you left off. This one will amaze. IT IS NOT Waiting for Columbus. Nothing ever will be. But neither is Barry Bonds a Hank Aaron.

Has anyone else noticed the five star rating from everyone who reviewed "Neon Park"? There's a reason.

When I cranked this masterpiece up, I heard the best SOUND Little Feat ever produced. The CD quality is tremendous. Some live CD's are missing something and lost in tin can land. Not "Neon Park". The distinctive voices, music and arrangements of "Feat" really bring out the chills in "Willin", "Two Trains" and "Texas Twister". Wait 'til you get a load of 17 minutes of the mellow/beautiful/bluesy/full-out New Orleans horn jazz/honky tonk/hard drivin' rock guitar version of "Dixie Chicken". Pishaw, you say? You'll see.

If you don't know the sheer power of Shawn Murphy, you will on "Neon Park".

Forget the soundbites on-line. They don't cut it. The CD does. Buy this one. It's SO GOOD that you may find yourself buying it for a friend or two. I did.

Put this in you vehicle CD changer, put the windows all the way down, put on a ball cap, crank it way up, hit the highway and let "Little Feat" melt the miles.

This double CD set is a true hidden gem. The talent that comes from this seven person band just can not be denied as all the musicians really showcase their abilities from track to track. Shaun Murphy's gives us some soulful and bluesy wailing on Changin' Luck, Your Taking Another Man's Place, and Rock N Rock Everynight. Her duet with Sam Clayton on Feats Don't Fail Me Now is another highlight. Sam as some other vocal and percussion highlights. And what about the seventeen minute plus Dixie Chicken jam with all its little twists and turns. The drum solo by Ritchie Hayward on Fat Man In The Bathtub just blows me away. Paul Barrere's vocals on Willing and Two Trains are worth mentioning as well as the many contributions from Kenny Gradney, Fred Tackett, and the stupendous Billy Payne. There just is not enough space in this review to list the accomplishments of this band here. Guest appearances by Craig Fuller and Inara George also add to the quality. Anyone remotely connected to this band should pick up this disc TODAY!!!

I own pretty much everything ever recorded by Little Feat, and while nothing can ever surpass "Waiting For Columbus," "Live From Neon Park" delivers a solid musical punch with the updated band lineup including Shaun Murphy and longtime associate Fred Tackett. The musicianship here is excellent, and I still have yet to hear a better rhythm and percussion section than Kenny Gradney, Sam Clayton, and one of the all-time great drummers in history, Richie Hayward, who, sadly, is currently battling cancer.

I have heard Little Feat live on several occasions, though sadly never with Lowell George, and of the post-George recordings I have heard, this is most representative of the energy in their live set. The musicianship here is (as always) excellent, and the vocals are generally strong. My only minor critique is that with the passing of time the band does increasingly lean toward extended jam sessions that Lowell George vigorously opposed toward the end of his life: while it's one of my favorites, "Dixie Chicken" comes in at 17:26, for example. Don't misunderstand me, I still love Little Feat, and I recommend this album without hesitation, I just think the band's impact is a bit diluted when run times become so extended.

When Little Feat first started out, they were a favorite band among most rock musicians. Fronted by the the deceased Lowell George, they developed an almost cult following. After George's death, the band reformed itself. Even though the quirkiness of George's songwriting is missed, this is still a very good rock band. Live from Neon Park is the only live recording of the revamped Little Feat and features some of their Lowell George classics as well as newer material. Little Feat is one of those bands that sound better live than in the studio. If you are looking for a very fun evening of rock n' roll - look no further than Live from Neon Park.

I don't have much to add to all of the other rave reviews of this double CD set -- there isn't a weak cut, and Shaun's performance on "Taking Up Another Man's Place" is truly one of the all time great vocals. As somebody else said, buy this now while it's still available.

Having seen a couple of mediocre Feat concerts (as well as a great one) I was dubious. They put on a good show at Jazz Fest though and the reviews here were all 5 star so I decided to give it a try. Wow. They are incredibly tight and the horn section adds a lot. Very close to Waiting for Columbus in quality and I don't think there's a better live album than that.

I first got hooked by FEAT back in 1978 with "Waiting for Colombus", and until the release of Live From Neon Park had never heard a live set so great.Once again the Greatest Rock and Roll Band that I have ever heard, live, has come out with a winner. When "Let It Roll" comes on, it is like a charge of electricity. Fred Tackett's guitar solo gives me goose bumps every time I hear it. My 15 year old son gets the same reaction. Everyone that hears the "Feat" for the first time that has the same reaction "who are these guys and why haven't heard of them before?" Make sure to check out "Under the Radar" as this too is a Five Star CD.

I just ordered the deluxe edition of Waiting for Columbus. So, while I'm waiting for delivery of those stunning discs, I dusted off Live from Neon Park. Apparently, I never listened to this where I could pay attention beacause, MAN! - This Is A Damn Fine Album!! Hard to pick between this and Waiting. This has more song time than even the deluxe version of Waiting. It is a crying shame we don't get Lowell on this cd but the performance is INCREDIBLE. The engineering/ sound quality is crazy great. This cd set will tire you out because you can't stop tapping your toes, fingers, you name it. Which cd is better?? Listen intently to both and struggle with your own decision.