LITTLE FEAT – Strike Up The Band (2025) *HQ*

Nobody, including the members of LITTLE FEAT, expected the band to still be an active entity 55 years after releasing their 1970 debut. But through the decades and with more ups, downs and personnel changes than Fleetwood Mac, they have persevered in one form or another.
Over the past few years Little Feat have been as productive on the road as in their mid-70s heyday. Two recent studio releases likewise display renewed vigor. Their upcoming new album ‘Strike Up the Band’ follows the Grammy nominated ‘Sam’s Place,’ last year’s vibrant exploration of blues covers.
But “Strike Up The Band” is Little Feat’s return to classic rock / rock n’ roll with plenty of swampy southern soul. Formidable keyboardist Bill Payne is the sole original, but bassist Kenny Gradney and Sam Clayton (percussion/vocals) remain from the expanded 70s lineup.
The band is taut, the rhythms as supple as Cream on a hot night and the vocals successfully carry the tunes with smooth grooves. There’s a hint of Feat’s ominous edge evident in prime-era classics such as “Spanish Moon” and “Skin It Back” in the subtle snaking rhythms of “When Hearts Fall.”

The Larkin Poe sisters appear as backing singers on the subtle, soulful title track. It skirts the political edge by urging us to strike up the band, with references to “the summer of ’68” as a mandolin plunks away and Scott Sharrard’s slide references memories of original member Lowell George’s work. “Dance a Little” is another organic midtempo offering with ghostly female singers.

Contemporary roots guitarist, the award winning Molly Tuttle appears on “Bluegrass Pines” alongside guest supporting vocals from Larry Campbell (Sheryl Crow) and wife Teresa Williams.
Little Feat’s percussionist Sam Clayton appears for his only lead vocal on the growling chorus to the humorous “Too High to Cut My Hair,” a fun, funky addition featuring a full horn section reminiscent of Feat’s work with the Tower of Power brass.

Plenty on ‘Strike Up the Band’ will get Little Feat and classic rock fans’ hearts thumping and feet pounding. The playing is consistently pulsating, the upbeat selections display the outfit’s distinctive gutsy approach and it’s clear from the overall effervescence that these guys are enjoying themselves even this far down the line.
Highly Recommended

01 – 4 Days of Heaven 3 Days of Work
02 – Bayou Mama
03 – Shipwrecks
04 – Midnight Flight
05 – Too High To Cut My Hair
06 – When Hearts Fall
07 – Strike Up The Band (feat. Larkin Poe)
08 – Bluegrass Pines (feat. M. Tuttle, L. Campbell & Teresa Williams)
09 – Disappearing Ink
10 – Love and Life (Never Fear)
11 – Dance a Little
12 – Running Out of Time with the Blues
13 – New Orleans Cries When She Sings

Bill Payne (keys/vocals)
Scott Sharrard (guitar/vocals)
Tony Leone (drums/vocals)
Fred Tackett (guitar)
Kenny Gradney (bass)
Sam Clayton (percussion/vocals)

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