Waiting for Columbus; a classic, right ?

Posted by: Peter Stockwell on 07 March 2006

Ok, I have most of the early Little Feat records, I bought the vinyl of this when it came out, and I bought, a couple of years ago, the remastered and filled out version on CD. While I admit there are some fabulous moments on this album, I have never cottoned to it.

It's the synthesizer noodles that get me, I just can't stand 'em. They break the groove for me. I just recently ripped the album to my iPod and was listening through it aiming to cherry pick the best bits, but ... it doesn't seem to work for me.

Am I alone feeling this way about this album ?

Posted on: 07 March 2006 by Malky

Yeah, it doesn't showcase them at their best. The eponymous debut and Dixie Chicken are where the real magic lies. Feats dont fail me now has its moments too.

Posted on: 07 March 2006 by Peter Stockwell

There's a recent live album that has a lot of their early material on it "High Wire act in St. Louis", I think it is, I've been tempted by this but not yet willing to pay for it. Who's been brave enough to try it ?

Posted on: 07 March 2006 by Malky

Last year 'Uncut' gave away a cd with a version of the Band's Rag Mama rag,from 'Live at the Ram's Head, which was superb.

Posted on: 07 March 2006 by Gunnar Jansson

quote:
Originally posted by Malky:
Yeah, it doesn't showcase them at their best. The eponymous debut and Dixie Chicken are where the real magic lies. Feats dont fail me now has its moments too.

Yes but I think Sailin´ shoes should be included too

Posted on: 07 March 2006 by Wolf

So good to hear guys discussing a good ol boogy band. I've liked their stuff from way back. Tho there are some LPs that don't get me going, when they do get it right it's just incredible. Dixie Chicken and Feets Don't Fail Me Now are wonderful. Time Loves a Hero is when they took that turn toward commercialism with Micheal McDonald and Doobie Bros singing backup as he was hot then. I like the pieces more without him. I've not heard anything since then. Been a while since I'm put them on, maybe this afternoon I'll pull some out and boogie a little.

Posted on: 07 March 2006 by fred simon

quote:
Originally posted by Peter Stockwell:
It's the synthesizer noodles that get me, I just can't stand 'em.

I love Waiting For Columbus, although the synth noodles aren't one of the reasons I love it.

The reasons are the soulful joy of the band, the mighty grooves, the smoking Tower of Power horns, the great songs of course, and a stellar performance from Lowell George, both on guitar and voice.

I hear and feel tons of magic there.

Fred

Posted on: 08 March 2006 by Peter Stockwell

quote:
Originally posted by fred simon:

quote:
Originally posted by Peter Stockwell:
It's the synthesizer noodles that get me, I just can't stand 'em.

I love Waiting For Columbus, although the synth noodles aren't one of the reasons I love it.

The reasons are the soulful joy of the band, the mighty grooves, the smoking Tower of Power horns, the great songs of course, and a stellar performance from Lowell George, both on guitar and voice.

I hear and feel tons of magic there.

Fred

Yes, it's gotto be diffrent things for different folks, and we're the better for it. I'd agree the grooves are great, and I just love the way the band comes on stage on that album. But those synth noodles, I can't get past 'em and I really would love to. I'm going to try a bit more with Waiting for Columbus, but in the meantime I'm going to cue up Dixie Chicken