Customer Reviews

Representing the Mambo

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

...people refuse to recognize a great band's more recent work because it resembles their earlier product. [I also don't believe that every song written by Lowell made history, or that his sense of rhythm and melody carried a band composed of three other talented musicians at the minimum.]

Bill Payne describes "Representing" in the "Hotcakes and Outtakes" box set's liner notes as the band's attempt at making a "hard left turn" from their earlier releases. If "Texas Twister" sounds like a different band's song, well, go figure; Fred Tackett has the first songwriter's credit. New membership with new ideas allows bands who began in the Seventies to remain vital, and Fred's one of their auxiliary players who became a full partner when they reunited in 1987. The jazz arrangements with which Bill Payne announced his individual presence in the band [i.e., "Day at the Dog Races", whose keyboard parts Lowell supposedly hated] continue on strong, clever songs like the title track and "The Ingenue". From reading the less favorable reviews, some appear to believe that this album punches the clock and fulfills contractual obligations and nothing else; Little Feat went out of their way to do precisely the opposite.

God knows it's cheap enough with Amazon's used marketers to own, and four songs from this album appear on the boxed set, more than any of their other albums since 1987. Not all of this band's creativity, intelligence and power died with Lowell George, and even casual fans of the Feat would be rewarded by listening to this.

Representing The Mambo is Little Feat's second album since their 1988 reunion and their best album featuring vocalist/guitarist Craig Fuller who replaced the late great Lowell George. While there is no bonafide classic here like their previous album's title track "Let It Roll", this is a very good album featuring several strong tracks and their musicianship remains top notch.

The album starts out strong with "Texas Twister", which recalls "Let It Roll" with Fred Tackett's snappy horn lines and Paul Barrere's smooth lead vocals and stellar guitar playing. Barrere's performance on this album is strong throughout as his lead vocals and guitar work highlight the shuffle "Rad Gumbo" and the funky "Woman In Love", both of which along with "Texas Twister" received decent airplay on AOR radio. The eclecticism that is Little Feat is in full swing whether it's on the mid-tempo tracks "Feelin's All Gone" and "Daily Grind", the country of "Those Feat'll Steer Ya Wrong Sometimes", or on a great ballad like the album closing "Silver Screen." Craig Fuller's lead vocals are strong throughout the album, particularly on "Daily Grind." The title track is very ambitious and features both strong vocals and exceptional piano work from Bill Payne. "That's Her, She's Mine" is also a great track. But with all of the great material here, the best track here is the jazz of "The Ingenue" which features a catchy piano line and features great vocals from Barrere and percussionist Sam Clayton. The underrated rhythm section of bassist Kenny Gradney and drummer Richie Hayward are in fine form throughout, particularly on "Woman In Love" and "The Ingenue." The track "Teenage Warrior" is the only song here that isn't up to par. A fine album, arguably the best since their comeback. Highly recommended to all Feat fans including their old time fans who believe that the band stopped making great music after Lowell George passed on.

This is my favorite post-Lowell George album by the mighty Little Feat. Forget U2 and grunge, these guys were the tightest band of the 90s. The rhythm section, Paul Barerre's guitar, and Bill Payne shine. The song writing is more consistent than the predecessor, Let it Roll and has a lot of the energy found in their incredible live show. "Texas Twister" starts out smokin'. "Daily Grind's" not bad, but then the Feat lay down three classics in a row: the title track, "Woman in Love," and "Rad Gumbo." Following a couple "in the pocket" quintessential Feat tunes like "That's Her She's Mine" "Feelin's all Gone" and "Those Feat Will Steer You Wrong Sometimes," the album finishes with two eclectic and brilliant recordings "The Ingenue," and "Silver Screen." The title track, Ingenue, and Silver Screen represented some real growth. While the next few albums have been solid, Feat have retreated into more comfortable territory.

This work is classic Feat with some twists. Loaded with clever, intelligent songwriting, lots of Cajun boogie, and some wildly eclectic songs such as the title track, this album, along with its succesor, "Shake Me Up", shows the variety and originality of this great band that never loses touch with its heritage. Lowell George would be proud of his incredibly talented desciples. This is a "must have" album for the Feat fan and will not disappoint.

Man oh man, for band as universally loved as Little Feat, did they CATCH IT when they reformed after Lowell's passing. Yes, Zappa threw Lowell out of The Mothers and told him to start his band. Yes, Lowell's indelible stamp is all over the albums he made. But Little Feat was...and IS...a BAND, and I don't think Lowell would have wanted the amazing, quirky, passionate band he started to go to the grave with him. Craig Fuller stepped in for "Let It Roll," "Representing The Mambo," and "Shake Me Up"...then he was gone (and is currently back in his original band, Pure Prairie League). But virtually everything he did with Little Feat was memorable, in some cases stunning, and this album features a couple of his best tracks. Start with "Teenage Warrior"...as Fuller howls "It's a pretty hard thang, to keep gettin' back up after BEIN' knocked down," Paul Barrere steps in on guitar and WAILS. Just WAILS. "Daily Grind" and "Feelin's All Gone" are two more Fuller tracks that stand with Feat's best. It's not all about Craig, though...this album doesn't have a bad note or misstep on it. Get the three Fuller albums, as well as "Ripe Tomatos" and "Raw Tomatos" (archive releases featuring live Fuller-era tracks). THEN ask yourself if Lowell is grinning like a madman in Heaven. My money's on "Hell YES."

Next to "Let It Roll," this is favorite Little Feat CD. There is such a great mixture of flavors, styles, and textures here...from cool and funky with "Woman in Love" to slick and jazzy in the "The Ingenue." In my opinion Craig Perry is the best vocalist by far that Little Feat has ever had and during this period the band was blessed with creative and fresh songs. You can't go wrong with this one!

Where this recording is not their best, the band explores some more interesting rhythms. Whether its the guitar driven Texas Twister, the jazzy interpretations of the title track and The Ingenue, or the heartfelt Feeling All Gone its all quite catchy. Craig Fuller comes pretty darn close to replacing Lowell's vocals on many of the tracks. A few ordinary tracks but the product is quite solid especially when compared to other music out during that year.

To all you Little Feat 'purists' out there--Lowell George is dead. Get over it.. ...he wasn't the only gifted musician in the band.For those of us who valued the contributions and talents of Paul Barrere, Bill Payne and the rest, this album is a real treat, and a musical grab bag to boot. For you blues-rock buffs, there's Texas Twister and Daily Grind, for you Fusion heads, there's Siber Screen and Engenue, and for those of you who like that special tart funk that only the Feat appear to be able to do, there's Woman In Love. I'm just scratching the surface. The title track is an animal all it's own, and more sophisticated and stately than anything that the band ever attempted when Lowell was alive.This album is all the proof that a band's 'glorious past' can sometimes blind certain kinds of fans to its vibrant present. Right after Dixie Chicken, Representing the Mambo is my favorite Feat Album.

This is simply a fantastic collection of songs. Every song is different. They "Respresent" a wide variety styles, rythyms and genre. The lyrics are innovative. The music is compelling and intricate. You will see the rock, country, xydeco, jazz, "Le Roux", and Dixieland influences. Gotta luv dat cajun spice. But, it's not on every track.

Take a trip around the world! Buy the albumn and you will learn what I mean. This albumn is FUN!!!

Having been a Little Feat fan for over 30 years, I find that this recording is their best total effort by far. A broad range of many styles of music. Amazing guitar work on "Texas Twister", and "Teenage Warrior" The shuffled beat of "Daily Grind" to the funky "Rad Gumbo". The music is a must for any "Feats" fan. And a different type of treat any music lover.