A Beginner’s Guide to Little Feat in 3 Songs

Robert Plant once said Led Zeppelin had received complaints at a Los Angeles hotel for “playing Little Feat albums too loud.”

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Consider this “little” list a beginner’s guide to Little Feat. Hopefully, if done right, you’ll also find yourself cranking the same albums that almost got Led Zeppelin kicked out of hotels.

If you want to feel real nice, just ask the rock and roll doctor’s advice.

“Willin’” from Little Feat (1971) and Sailin’ Shoes (1972)

While playing with the Mothers of Invention, guitarist Lowell George presented “Willin’” to Frank Zappa. Multiple versions of the story exist, but one recalls Zappa telling George to go and form his own band. Whether Zappa disapproved of the drug references or he thought George was too talented to be a backing musician, the result was the same. Consider it something like the Big Bang for Little Feat.

George formed Little Feat in 1969 with bassist Roy Estrada, drummer Richie Hayward, and keyboardist Bill Payne. What became the classic lineup included George, Hayward, and Payne, with bassist Kenny Gradney, percussionist Sam Clayton, and guitarist and vocalist Paul Barrere. Little Feat broke up in 1979, the same year George died. They reformed in 1987 and have continued with varying lineups.

There are two recorded versions of “Willin’.” It first arrived in a stripped-down form on Little Feat’s self-titled debut. A more polished recording appears on Sailin’ Seas.

And I’ve been from Tucson to Tucumcari
Tehachapi to Tonopah
Driven every kind of rig that’s ever been made
Driven the back roads so I wouldn’t get weighed
And if you give me weed, whites, and wine
And you show me a sign
I’ll be willin’ to be movin’

“Spanish Moon” from Feats Don’t Fail Me Now (1974)

Colin Larkin included Little Feat’s fourth album in his book All Time Top 1000 Albums. It’s also, undoubtedly, the best album title of the band’s catalog. Start with “Spanish Moon.” This is Little Feat at the height of their powers. “Spanish Moon” has the kind of hard groove one only achieves after logging endless miles on the road.

Touring life may be glamorous to those who’ve never done it. But it’s hard living. However, there’s an elusive state a band reaches after countless shows. Little Feat captured it here.

I pawned my watch, and I sold my ring
Just to hear that girl singing (hear that girl sing)
Don’t take long to wake up ruined
The women will down at the Spanish Moon

“Roll Um Easy” from Dixie Chicken (1973)

You can’t talk about Little Feat without mentioning George’s slide guitar work. The sparse and delicate tune “Roll Um Easy” showcases his lonesome playing in a short ditty. It stands apart from the ensemble tracks on Dixie Chicken. The album, especially its title track, is a touchstone for swamp rock—fusing soul, blues, country, and funk.

Little Feat reached cult status among musicians. Your favorite band’s favorite band. In a 1975 interview with Rolling Stone, Jimmy Page said Little Feat was his “favorite American group.” Meanwhile, they’ve been covered by iconic artists ranging from Bob Dylan to Phish.

Oh I am just a vagabond
A drifter on the run
And eloquent profanity
It rolls right off my tongue
And I have dined in palaces
Drunk wine with kings and queens
But darlin’, oh darlin’
You’re the best thing I’ve ever seen

Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images