Little Feat joins forces with Bonnie Raitt for a cover of Long Distance Call from Sam's Place, their first new studio album in 12 years.
“I’ve always loved Little Feat, and this new incarnation of the band is bringing some serious heat, cred and new blood to their enduring legacy,” saysBonnie Raitt, a longtime friend ofLITTLE FEAT.
With her warm and deeply soulful vocals,Raittduets with the band’sSam Claytonon a cover ofMuddy Waters’“Long Distance Call.”It’sthe newly released third single from the band’s new albumSAM’S PLACE(Hot Tomato Productions/MRI) out thisFriday,May 17.
SAM’S PLACEmarks the legendary band’s first new studio album in 12 years; first-ever blues album; and the first one to feature linchpin conga playerClaytonon lead vocals on every song.
“Every Feat fan loves us some Sam,” addsRaitt. “I’m so glad he’s now gotten a chance to step out front and center and put his spin on these wonderful blues songs. I loved singing ‘Long Distance Call’ with him, always one of my favorites, and Scott slayed on slide. Know you’ll enjoy hanging out with us at Sam’s Place!"
“Long Distance Call,”which also featuresMichael “Bull” LoBueon harmonica, follows the first two tracks/videos fromSAM’S PLACE:“You’ll Be Mine,”a cover of theWillie Dixon-written chestnut popularized byHowlin’ Wolfand“Can’t Be Satisfied,”a rollicking interpretation of the classicMuddy Waters-writtengem.
The members ofLITTLE FEAT2024 are:Bill Payne, Keyboards and Vocals;Sam Clayton,Percussion and Vocals;Fred Tackett, Guitars and Vocals,Kenny Gradney, Bass;Scott Sharrard, Guitars and Vocals; andTony Leone, drums and vocals. Their individual musical chops and collective chemistry light up the nine-trackSAM’S PLACE,which was waxed atSam Phillips RecordinginMemphis, TN(August 2023), except for“Got My Mojo Working (Live),”recorded live at theBoulder TheatreinBoulder, CO(December 17, 2022). This is the firstLITTLE FEATalbum recorded with new membersSharrardandLeone.
LITTLE FEATemerged from the pandemic with their sense of humor, chops, and collective joy in playing intact—and their creativity has been renewed with the joyously blues-soakedSAM’S PLACE. The idea for the album started withBill, but the whole band jumped in. They started working on songs at sound checks.Sam, ScottandFredwrote a new song,“Milk Man.”Visiting backstage at aFEATshow,Bonnie Raittsuggested theHowlin’ Wolftune“You Will Be Mine.”Scottsuggested“Why People Like That,”aBobby Charlestune.Samchose theWilly Dixon-penned“Don’t Go No Further,”a deep Muddy track.And they included a live version of“Got My Mojo Working.”
Scotthad recorded in Memphis, and they eventually found their way to the second Phillips (the first was Sun Studios, where Elvis began his career) studio there, complete with Jerry Lee Lewis’s piano, whichBillnoted “practically played itself.”FEAT’s a rock band, but asScottobserved, at the end “the blues is home,” and they basically recorded it live in the studio, in the tradition.Their playing is at an all-time high, andBillthought their musical conversation was “flawless.”
Samwas a happy vocalist. His own“Milk Man,”a song about his nephew, has lyrics from his wife, Joni.The duet withBonnieon“Long Distance Call,”he humbly admitted, was classic. “We go good together, man.”“Last Night” was done in memory of Sam’s very good friend, the lateEd BradleyofSixty Minutes.And“Why People Like That”was particularly satisfying. “I just like the way the slide sounds and everything.I knew Scott is a great slide player too, plus he is a great lead guitarist. And I know we would put our touch to it, the Little Feat touch. So we just sort of did it.Scott just adds a lot to it and he answers to what I'm singing.”
SAM’S PLACEscratches a deep itch.Samadded, “I'm very happy because I was never expecting anything like that.I mean, I have wanted to, but I just wasn't expecting it to come to fruition.It was a long wait, but it’s satisfying.”
LITTLE FEATwill be busy this summer on the road. From touring with theTedeschi Trucks Bandto headline shows withThe Wood Brothers, Los Lobos, Marc Broussard,Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel, The Steel Wheels,andRob Ickes & Trey Hensley, there will be plenty of chances to boogie with the band. For theirBaltimore, MDshow on June 14,LITTLE FEATwill perform their classic 1973 album, Feats Don’t Fail Me Now, in its entirety. Tickets are availableHERE.
SAM’S PLACEtrack listing
1.Milkman- Written by Sam Clayton (ASCAP), Fred Tackett forHoceanna Music (ASCAP), and Scott Sharrard for Brickyard Blues Music BMI
2.You’ll Be Mine - Written by Willie Dixon for Hoochie Coochie Music (BMI)
3.Long Distance Call – Written by Muddy Waters for Watertoons (BMI)
4.Don’t Go No Further - Written by Willie Dixon for Hoochie Coochie Music (BMI)
5.Can’t Be Satisfied – Written by Muddy Waters for Watertoons (BMI)
6.Last Night – Written by Walter Jacobs for ARC Music (BMI)
7.Why People Like That – Written by Bobby Charles for Street People Songs (BMI)
8.Mellow Down Easy – Written by Willie Dixon for BMG Bumblebee (BMI)
9.Got My Mojo Working (Live) – Written by Preston Foster for Dar Music, Inc (BMI)
LITTLE FEAT’stour dates can be found below. For more information and ticket links, goHERE.
Tour Dates
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