Waiting for Columbus [Expanded]

Performer: Little Feat
Artist: Tower Of Power; Tower Of Power Horns; Michael McDonald; Mick Taylor
Engineer: George Massenburg; Warren Dewey
Producer: George Massenburg; Gary Peterson; Lowell George; Paul Barrere; Bill Payne
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Little Feat: Lowell George, Kenny Gradney, Bill Payne, Sam Clayton, Richie Hayward and Paul Barrere. Documents the live show of a true "concert band," Little Feat's reputation rested on its live performances, which were particularly popular in the South. This was the most successful album for Little Feat, reaching number 18 on the album charts. 2 LPs on 1 CD, with 2 songs, "Don't Bogart That Joint" and "Apolitical Blues" omitted. These 2 songs can be found as extra tracks on the CD THE LAST RECORD ALBUM. WAITING FOR COLUMBUS: DELUXE EDITION contains WAITING FOR COLUMBUS as well as ten tracks recorded during the same tour that were not included in the original album. It also contains previously unreleased outtakes. Little Feat includes: Lowell George (vocals, guitar, maracas, cowbell); Paul Barrere (vocals, guitar); Bill Payne (vocals, piano, electric piano, organ, synthesizer); Kenny Gradney (bass); Richie Hayward (drums, percussion, background vocals); Sam Clayton (congas, percussion, background vocals). Additional personnel includes: Mick Taylor (guitar); Tower Of Power (horns); Michael McDonald, Patrick Simmons (background vocals). Producers include: Lowell George, Bill Payne, George Massenburg, Paul Barrere. Compilation producers: Gary Peterson, Bill Payne, Paul Barrere. Engineers include: George Massenburg, Warren Dewey, Andy Bloch. Recorded live at the Rainbow Theatre, London, England; The Lisner Auditorium, Washington, D.C. in August 1977. Includes liner notes by Bud Scoppa. All tracks have been digitally remastered. Personnel: Lowell George (vocals, guitar, cowbells, maracas); Paul Barr�re (vocals, guitar); Bill Payne (vocals, piano, electric piano, organ, synthesizer); Richard Hayward (vocals, drums, percussion); Sam Clayton (vocals, congas, percussion); Mick Taylor (guitar); Lenny Pickett (clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Emilio Castillo (tenor saxophone); Stephen "Doc" Kupka (baritone saxophone); Mic Gillette (trumpet, trombone); Greg Adams (trumpet); Tower of Power Horn Section (horns); Michael McDonald , Patrick Simmons (background vocals). Audio Mixers: George Massenburg; Warren Dewey; Bill Inglot; Brian Kehew. Audio Remasterers: Dan Hersch; Bill Inglot. Liner Note Author: Bud Scoppa. Recording information: Lisner Auditorium, George Washington University, Washin (08/01/1977-08/10/1977); The Rainbow Theatre, London, England (08/01/1977-08/10/1977). Photographers: Richard D. Young; Robert Matheu. Arranger: Lowell George. The original CD release of Little Feat's 1977 live album WAITING FOR COLUMBUS, like so many catalogue releases in the early days of the CD format, was truncated by two songs, "Don't Bogart That Joint" and "A Apolitical Blues." The 2002 expanded edition of the disc replaces those songs by placing side four of the original vinyl onto disc two, and follows it up with ten more live tracks, three of which had previously appeared on the 1981 rarities album HOY HOY. Recorded towards the end of Little Feat's original incarnation, WAITING FOR COLUMBUS has the boogie-oriented country and blues-rock tinges of the group's early sound, expanded into the lengthier, fusion-oriented jams that were their later focus. Yet Little Feat were always a tightly disciplined unit, and even the lengthiest songs here, like the nine-minute take on their signature song "Dixie Chicken," keep from sliding into mere aimless jamming. Although some of the bonus tracks are a little more shambolic, hard-rocking gems like the smoking "Teenage Nervous Breakdown" more than make up for them. Little Feat's lone official live album was chopped up for its initial CD release, with two tracks lopped off so it could fit on a single disc (they showed up, inexplicably, as bonus tracks on the CD issue of The Last Record Album). After years of neglect, the album was finally restored in 2002, except "restored" might not be the right word for it. It was re-thought and expanded, with the original album now spilling over onto a second disc (which is where the encore is), which is fleshed out with seven previously unissued outtakes, plus three songs initially released on Hoy-Hoy. It's a lovely package, with copious notes from Bud Scoppa and lots of photos, great remastered sound, and generous bonus tracks. It's as well done as could be expected, but be forewarned -- none of the unreleased material is as good as what made the record, tending to be a little slack and emphasizing their encroaching fascination with fusion. That's really not that big of a deal, of course, since collectors will buy this no matter what, and they'll be happy with this lavish, loving package. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Mojo (Publisher) (6/02, p.126) - "...This is a corker..."

Los Angeles' Little Feat served up a polymorphic gumbo of New Orleans funk, southern boogie, and blues rock with the soulful slide guitar, worn voice, and tremendous country-tinged songwriting of leader Lowell George as its main ingredients. Founded by George and pianist Bill Payne in 1969, Little Feat released a couple of straighter blues rock albums before embracing an infectious, Meters-like groove in their rhythm section (Roy Estrada and Richie Hayward of the Mothers of Invention). Despite a run of critically acclaimed albums throughout the '70s--and George's continuing excellence as a songwriter--the band broke up in 1979 shortly after George died. Reformed versions of Little Feat continued to release records and tour in the ensuing decades.

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