Joe Breenreviews two new releases
LITTLE FEAT AND FRIENDS Join the Band Proper ***
It's been 38 years since Little Feat made their debut in Los Angeles. In that time there have been casualties, none greater than Lowell George. The slide player, singer and songwriter was the maverick heartbeat of the first incarnation of this key American band, though he left shortly before his death in 1979. Little Feat initially shut down but later reopened for business and have been going ever since. Yet it is telling on this mixum-gatherum collection - featuring a list of impressive guests - that the bulk of the key songs remain re-recordings of George tunes such as Willin', Dixie Chicken, Fat Man in the Bathtub and Spanish Moon. That's the good news; the bad is that some of the versions (notably Brooks and Dunn's ill-fitting Willin') are forgettable. Not so Vince Gill's contribution on Dixie Chicken and Spanish Moon, nor indeed Inara George's beautiful voice on her father's Trouble. And Little Feat seems to have lost none of their edge, despite the fact that they must be able to play these songs in their sleep! www.littlefeat.com
Download tracks:Dixie Chicken, Trouble
AGNOSTIC MOUNTAIN GOSPEL CHOIR Ten Thousand Balling the Jack ***
There is a raw, mesmeric quality and intensity to blues, particularly the Delta variety, which takes the listener on a journey deep into the heart of another, darker world. And while the image of the blues is that of pain and sorrow, as a classic vernacular music it can run the whole gamut of emotions. In the hands of these four white Calgary musicians, blues and roots music generally is a weapon of expression, harsh, unremitting, bleeding hearts and bleeding fingers, creating a tumult that rejoices in its rustic raucousness. Whether on their own songs or on the small number of select covers, the Agnostics give their all with urgent acoustic guitars, slap bass and strident vocals tossed into the mix. Entertaining, if a little wearing after a while. www.theagnostics. com JOE BREEN
Download tracks:Go Back Home, Empire State Express
