Search - Little Feat :: Representing the Mambo

It's so sickening when...

John M. Thompson | Albuquerque, New Mexico | 10/11/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"...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."

Their best from the Craig Fuller era

John Alapick | Wilkes-Barre, PA United States | 11/16/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Tight as a drum

John Lawler | College Station, TX United States | 03/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."