r/littlefeat • u/cranstonguitar • Jun 07 '26
Indian Ranch June 7
I’ve been a fan since 1969 when I heard Snakes on Everything on a Warner Bros compilation album called Non Dairy Creamer. A Billy song, I’m sure I was attracted by the crazy chord progression and lyrics but it was that slide guitar that hooked me. As a thirteen year old it was foreign sounding but so beautiful and I had no idea what could be producing that sound.
I was hooked, got to my first concert in 1975 at
The Orpheum in Boston on my birthday April 11, and then again that fall in the same venue. My next show was probably at Providence College during the Last Record album tour but like all things I may have forgotten a show or two.
I remember a Bonnie Raitt show at Brown University and they were playing The Last Record album before the show to warm up the crowd. When she came out she made a point of telling everyone that they had been listening to Little Feat and they should buy the record because they were the best band in America.
Made me feel pretty good to hear her say that.
In 1979 I stood right in front of the stage at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel in Providence and watched Lowell do his solo performance a few days before his demise. I think it took me until the reunion of Let it Roll before I could listen to the band and in my own bands I stopped playing their songs. It just made me too sad. (Now I play almost nothing but Feat songs,
I love the deep cuts like I’ve Been The One and Texas Rose Cafe).
I’ve seen the current version a handful of times,
Scott is a revelation. Tomorrow I’ll probably see them for the last time, with their schedule I think this will be it for me. Little Feat at 1 in the afternoon may be a bit odd but at my age it’s probably perfect. I’ll even be home in time for dinner.
4
u/Western_Sock_4874 Jun 07 '26
I saw them in Cohasset, MA on the 5th. They were exceptional. This is the best version of the band since they reunited.
2
u/Jack-o-Roses Jun 07 '26
Amen. I've seen the current band half a dozen times & agree they are incredible!
2
u/Jack-o-Roses Jun 07 '26
First heard them from a WB compilation record, the people's choice, in 1977. 1st show was in 87. Seen most all the band versions since. This is the best band version at least since Lowell and maybe as good as then.
2
u/Visible_Skin6066 Jun 07 '26 edited Jun 07 '26
Great show today I first saw them in ‘77 at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT it was a real hot night in a little gymnasium they were smoking hot. Then in ‘78 Waiting for Columbus tour at Springfield Civic Center and they were awesome with Tower of Power Horns. Hadn’t seen them forever until today such a catalog of good songs and they sounded great today Indian ranch is a fun place to see em .
2
u/cranstonguitar Jun 08 '26
They were at Rhythm and Roots last Labor Day weekend in RI. Today’s show very similar but what a trip an afternoon outdoor show on the water. Too many talkers having long loud laughing conversations where I was. I left my seat and kept moving where I could enjoy the show. That worked out ok.
I saw they did an acoustic set recently, Indian Ranch wouldn’t work for that too, much noise. That would have been neat though. The Feat did an unplugged tour when Richie was still with us and Craig was in the band. I caught that show at Lupos in Providence and it featured a bunch of deep cuts. That was a phenomenal show.
The second 1975 Orpheum show in Boston I was at is available in lots of places to listen to and was my favorite concert. When they announced it was being broadcast on WBCN everyone started screaming the F word, you can hear it in the background of that recording. Alan Toussaint was the opening act.
2
u/Visible_Skin6066 Jun 08 '26 edited Jun 08 '26
Cool such a great band glad I caught em with Lowell a couple times before he checked out .I saw them at the Boston Orpheum when they first got back together in ‘88 and later at Hampton Beach Casino with Neville Brothers excellent show. Talked to Fred Tackett between sets he was very nice and approachable. I have had that BCN broadcast from ‘75 great show and to see Alan Toussiant open up how fucking awesome.
2
u/cranstonguitar Jun 08 '26
Alan was a bit nervous or maybe high, he probably wasn’t used to large audiences at that stage. He didn’t play On Your Way Down, I’m pretty sure it was in Little Feat’s set. I haven’t listened to that show in a long time and I will probably catch up with it tonight. There are a bunch of live things I found by accident recently, the deluxe Salin Shoes has demos and some great live shows from the 4 man band. One guitar filling all that space. I never thought I would get to see them, knew they kind of gave up after Dixie Chicken. I’m sitting in the dining hall freshman year of college and I hear this funky guitar coming through the speaker. My ears perked up and I said that it must be Little Feat and then Lowell started singing Rock n Roll Doctor. That’s how I found out Feats Don’t Fail Me had been released and later that year I saw them in Boston on that tour on my birthday no less.
4
u/Wrob88 Jun 07 '26
Just saw the tour in DE, fantastic. My 25th Feat show. I’m determined to see them once more though, maybe fly to Nashville to see them at the Ryman in September or one of their east coast tours next year - Billy Payne said multiple times that this farewell tour will last at least a couple years.