Customer Reviews

Sailin Shoes

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The history of Little Feat consists of three phases: The first two albums, including this one, constitutes phase one, when they were at their most creative, veering between the worlds of Ry Cooder and Frank Zappa to create the freshest sounds they could think of. Sailin' Shoes churns with musical energy, layers of guitars and keyboards tweaked for maximum enjoyment, supporting lyrics that were both quirky and wise. Phase two, which is when they built their fan base, runs from Dixie Chicken thru Waiting for Columbus, and the death of founder Lowell George in about 1979. This is the sound they are most known for, when they gained the singularly inapt term "Southern Fried," as if this band had something to do with Marshall Tucker or Lynard Skynard. There is great music in this phase, but each album became more mannered and less inspired than the one preceeding it. No question, the band suffered from Lowell's bad habits, declining health, and reduced commitment to writing. But fat, drunk, stoned and creatively blocked as he might have been, during this period Lowell still gave the band a unique spark. Now they are in their third phase, as kind of a career party band known mostly for putting on a fun show. Nothing wrong with that, but if you like today's Little Feat, do yourself a favor and reach back into 1972 for the creative flash that started it all.

As a collection of songs, this might be Little Feat's strongest effort ever. Americana Rock in the general vein of Moby Grape, The Band or American-Beauty era Dead.

While the songs are great, this record's secret weapon lies in the fact that you kind of slip into it's groove and before you know it, a collection of rather short songs becomes a groove album! This doesn't happen on most Little Feat albums due to their more mercurial nature in styles.

The original version of the almost-standard "Willin'" is here too.

Building on the brilliant musicianship of their excellent debut, Little Feat released their sophomore effort, "Sailin' Shoes," one of their finest efforts ever. A tightly constructed release with not a bum track in sight, "Sailin' Shoes" is an even better album than their debut partly because of the more relaxed nature that was on hand after the critical acclaim that was awarded "Little Feat." In this package, the Feat outdid themselves with a reworking of Lowell George's truck driving ballad "Willin'" and they also put down "Trouble," one of their best ballads ever. Also in the selection are the clever "Texas Rose Cafe (one of my favorites)," the concert staple title track and the radio hit "Easy To Slip." Alas, despite the strong critical acclaim, the poor sales contributed to one of the many Feat breakups and bassist Roy Estrada went back to the Mothers of Invention and then to Captain Beefheart's Magic Band. Remaining members Lowell George, Richie Hayward and Bill Payne pressed on...

Sailin' Shoes is Little Feat's second album and arguably the best collection of songs the band ever released. Although their sound isn't nearly as eclectic here as that of future albums such as Feats Don't Fail Me Now or The Last Record Album, every track here is great with Lowell George penning some of the best material of his too short life and career.

The opening track "Easy To Slip", which was later covered by Bob Weir, is one of their most underrated songs. "Teenage Nervous Breakdown" is the band at their most energetic. Bill Payne's "Got No Shadow" and the bluesy "Cat Fever" are both great and his piano playing on the album, especially on the excellent "A Apolitical Blues", is top notch. "Tripe Face Boogie", penned by Payne and drummer Richie Hayward, is also outstanding. But this is clearly Lowell George's show as many of the songs here such as the truckin' anthem "Willin'", the title track, and the country flavored "Trouble" are among his best. His slide playing is great throughout, particularly on "Tripe Face Boogie" and he also plays a mean harmonica on "A Apolitical Blues." Other strong tracks here include "Cold, Cold, Cold" and "Texas Rose Cafe", which starts out as rollicking but then enters into a short fusion jam during the middle which hints at their future jazz explorations. All told, this is an outstanding album and along with Dixie Chicken and their live album Waiting For Columbus is their best work. Highly recommended.

Sailin' Shoes is a classic recording I've owned on LP, CD, and now the Original Master Recording CD. I enjoy the music (obviously) bit after comparing the Original Master CD to the standard issue CD on a $40,000 stereo system I would have to say I could barely detect a difference. Now Yes Fragile is another story entirely and I would definitely recommend that Original Master Recording based on its outstanding sound quality but Sailin' Shoes was not worth the money in my book (although the packaging is better).

One of the best albums ever by one of the most underrated, underappreciated and unheard of bands of all time. Great songwriting, musicianship, vocals etc. A great guitar album as well. Lowell George was one of the greatest slide guitarists around. People often like to classify Little Feat as southern rock but don't be fooled- their styles are wide ranged- from New Orleans blues, R&B, & Stones style R&R.

Even if you have ever experienced a band showing on their second album what they're truly made of, compared to a debut that was obvious fumbling for the right style and strongness of songwriting, you will be surprised when listening to Little Feat's first two albums in chronological order. OK, perhaps not style in this case, as the Feats already had their style - it just took a second album to develop it to the max.

And what a festive table we have here: instantly likeable pop/rock, bluesy rock, country blues, piano boogie, country, raw blues, a ballad, and a furious rocker - the first eight tracks! The moment you hear the fabulous intro of "Easy to Slip", you know that "Sailin' Shoes" is the record to put on when you want to introduce Little Feat to someone who has probably never even heard of the band. Even "Willin'" sounds better than on the eponymous debut - it's not as gritty, but it certainly does good to your ears. And "Teenage Nervous Breakdown", which I've happened to read quite a lot of negative comments about (even George himself hated it, according to the sleeve notes of "Hoy-Hoy"), kicks like a bull in a rodeo arena.

The last three songs are, to put it bluntly, unimpressive and a bit boring, but I won't let that affect my rating. It's hard to write even eight great songs for an album, let alone 11.

Newcomers should start here, then collect the rest of the 70's LF albums in any order they happen to come across them.

Trenchant lyrics are hard to match with swinging New Orleans or Memphis R&B; you get lost in the groove, which is how it should be. This is especially true when a group like Little Feat of "Sailin' Shoes" does both so well. This album would earn three stars as a funk instrumental album alone.

Thankfully, band leader Lowell George was still in command enough to provide lyrics with some acute insight on southern (and southern California) life circa 1971. There's the truck driver's lament "Willin'" (covered by Linda Ronstadt). Add the buoyant harmonies and message of time passing in "Easy to Slip" (covered by Bob Weir's Ace and featured in trailers for the Winona Ryder film "Girl, Interrupted") and Bill Payne's keyboard work on the title track (Robert Palmer's first hit). You'll get a first-class session with wordplay worthy of George's early employer Frank Zappa. "Sailin' Shoes" is a keeper.

"Dixie Chicken" is usually considered Little Feat's hands-down classic, but this album, along with "Feats Don't Fail Me Now," is just as amazing. Lowell George was still the dominant force in the band at this point and was always their most unique asset. His snaky guitar-playing and composing could not be matched and his lyrics always made the illogical seem logical. As time went on, Bill Payne and Paul Barrere pushed the band into more jazz-influenced areas. While later Feat is grand stuff, the more raw, rock/country sound on this early album cannot be topped. Music that hits you where you live!

For those who aren't exposed to this band -

They were the most complete rock and roll band I know. The subtleties (sp) of phrasing and layers of harmony that seldom ran in a congruent, typical form is what impresses me. 6 musicians loosely playing in six different directions around a common theme is what you will hear in their best efforts. They were tight as a nun's privates. Live was as impressive as the studio - only more freeform. They shared a common musical brain.

Torque your parametric equalizer in any direction and you will hear the individual work. Layered = beauty.

They were the Bomb Diggity.

Elton John called them the Greatest Rock Band - I agree.

RBS