Search - Little Feat :: Feats Don't Fail Me Now

Just What The Rock And Roll Doctor Ordered

Robert I. Hedges | 08/02/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Feats Don't Fail Me Now" is arguably the greatest studio album from Little Feat. There really isn't a bad track in the lot, and the highlights are among the best of the best. The album is upbeat, the musicianship is first rate (Lowell George's slide guitar work is especially brilliant), and the material is top notch, all of which leads to a superior album.



My favorite on the CD is the opener, "Rock and Roll Doctor", which to me is the most autobiographical of all of George's songs. The slide work and vocals intertwine perfectly, although I think the best single recording of the song is the live version from the "Waiting For Columbus" sessions. "Oh Atlanta" is a somewhat more mainstream offering from Bill Payne, and while pleasant is not as distinguished as the rest of the album. "Skin it Back" has some interesting musicianship and time signature features: again, I also recommend the live version as well. I have always loved the combination blues and Caribbean feel of "Spanish Moon", and think the signature track "Feats Don't Fail Me Now" is an upbeat composite of all the various sounds the band was comfortable dabbling in: I only wish it were longer. The concluding medley of "Cold, Cold, Cold" and "Tripe Face Boogie" shows off both the flexibility and virtuosity of the band, and is a piece worth much more attention than it routinely gets.



I have a hard time picking my favorite Little Feat studio album, and go back and forth on the issue. One thing I am sure of, though: "Feats Don't Fail Me Now" is definitely on the short list, and I couldn't recommend it more highly."