Little Feat: Strike Up the Band Review

Strike Up the Band was recorded at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, and Studio One Two Seven in Harlem, NYC. It was produced by Vance Powell, Bill Payne, and Scott Sharrard, the latter of whom contributed to seven of the tracks. The album both celebrates the band’s legacy and takes a bold step forward, blending Little Feat’s signature grooves with fresh, collaborative energy that fuses lyrical depth and instrumental virtuosity.

The opening track, “4 Days of Heaven, 3 Days of Work,” was co-written by Payne, Sharrard, and Tony Leone. The song draws inspiration from a whirlwind writing session in which the trio penned three songs in just four days. It’s a driving tune with a mix of blaring horns, led by guitarist Fred Tackett, alongside Art Edmaiston on saxophone and Marc Franklin on trumpet, punctuated by Sharrard’s soaring guitar breaks and vocals singing:

Rattlesnake shake in a calypso band,
Dry cracked lips, spitting up sand

“Bayou Mama,” co-authored by Blackberry Smoke’s Charlie Starr and Bill Payne, features Payne’s keyboard-driven vocals, complemented by Sharrard’s fluid guitar runs. “Shipwrecks,” a solo composition by Sharrard, serves as an allegory for life, comparing its journey to a ship on the ocean. Sharrard’s soaring voice delivers the line, “We’re all shipwrecks from across the ocean,” as the band gradually builds intensity, culminating in a crescendo of screaming guitar and Payne’s swirling keyboard runs.

“Midnight Flight” captures the longing to be back home with a loved one. Written by Sharrard, the track features his lead vocals and searing guitar solos, accompanied by Kristen Rogers on backup vocals and the full horn section.

“Too High to Cut My Hair,” an up-tempo number co-written by Tackett and Sharrard, is a playful, full-band excursion. It’s based on a humorous personal experience Tackett had when he asked his wife to cut his hair, only to find she was too high to manage the task. The track features the full horn section, providing a roaring backdrop for Tackett and Sharrard’s dueling guitar solos.

“When Hearts Fall,” co-written by Bill Payne and John Leventhal, is a reflective piece featuring Payne on lead vocals, supported by Kristen Rogers’ backing harmonies. Sharrard’s droning guitar lines provide a haunting counterpoint to Payne’s resonant vocals:

I tried in vain to move heaven and earth
It’s times like these we find out what we’re worth

Sister duo Larkin Poe joins Little Feat on the title track, “Strike Up the Band.” Written by Sharrard, the song was inspired by his early days with the band, with the title concept emerging in 2019. The track features Sharrard on lead vocals and guitar, with Larkin Poe providing backing harmonies.

“Bluegrass Pines,” co-written by Bill Payne and legendary Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, reflects the duo’s prolific 2012 writing session that produced 20 songs, four of which appeared on the album Rooster Rag. The track features Payne on lead vocals, with acoustic guitar by Molly Tuttle and backing vocals from Rebecca and Megan Lovell, Larry Campbell, and his wife Teresa Williams.

“Disappearing Ink,” another Sharrard composition, is a reflection on broken relationships, featuring Sharrard on lead vocals as Payne delivers a pounding piano backdrop. The song builds to a passionate vocal peak, with Sharrard’s guitar cutting through the tension.

“Love and Life Never Fear,” written and sung by Fred Tackett, showcases his unique approach to guitar, often drawing more inspiration from horn sections than traditional six-string leads. The band’s churning accompaniment is punctuated by Sharrard’s sharp, soaring guitar lines. “Dance a Little,” written by Payne, is a rollicking number with hypnotic melodies and soaring lead vocals, supported once again by Kristen Rogers.

Drummer Tony Leone steps up for “Running Out of Time with the Blues,” delivering gritty, Dr. John-esque lead vocals, accentuated by Sharrard’s gritty guitar work and Payne’s honky-tonk keyboards. “New Orleans Cries When She Sings,” co-written by Payne and Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon, captures the spirit of post-Katrina recovery. It starts with a slow, deliberate pace before building into a full-band jam, with Payne’s impassioned vocals backed by Rogers once more.

Strike Up the Band celebrates Little Feat’s enduring legacy, reaffirming their ability to strike the right chords in the modern musical landscape. From the blistering, horn-drenched energy of “4 Days of Heaven, 3 Days of Work” to the reflective beauty of “New Orleans Cries When She Sings,” the band continues to burn brightly, blending the talents of seasoned originals and newer members. It’s a welcome addition to their six-decade-long journey of recording and performing.

The Review: 9/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Shipwrecks
– Too High to Cut My Hair
– Disappearing Ink
– Dance a Little
– Running Out of Time with the Blues

The Big Hit  

– Dance a Little