The holidays are almost a memory but the party is hotter than ever on the Little Feat tour.
The band is touring behind its latest release, “Join the Band,” which was recorded and produced with Jimmy Buffett, an avid fan of the band. Although the CD features collaborations with a host of guests including Buffett, Dave Matthews, Bob Seger, and even Vince Gill, fans should expect the sound to be just as vibrant when Little Feat performs them on tour.
» Venue: Recher Theatre, 512 York Road, Towson
» When: 7 tonight » Tickets: $30 » Info.: 410-547-SEAT; www.ticketmaster.com
“For the most part the songs haven’t really changed when we do them live,” said singer Shaun Murphy. “There may be a slight key change, but they’re still the same.”
No small credit for the ease and expertise with which Little Feat recreates studio sound so effortlessly is due to the musical backgrounds of its players. This is a band that right from the start — singer-songwriter, lead vocalist and guitarist Lowell George and keyboard player Bill Payne founded the band in 1969 — was comprised of superb musicians who also happened to be friends. Although exactly how the band started is the stuff of legends, the bonds of friendship are as evident today as they were in 1969.
Consider “Join the Band.” It might seem startling that musical royalty such as Buffett, Seger and other contributors would team up for the album, the collaboration is a reunion of sorts for many of the musicians who worked together throughout the year.
And of course now the fans can “Join the Band” on tour. Not that they need much prompting.
Just as Deadheads used to trail the Grateful Dead from city to city, Little Feat tours inspire many fans to take to the highways, albeit in BMWs rather than VW vans.
“A lot of our fans were into us in college when they were really big radicals” said Fred Tackett, who plays guitar, mandolin and trumpet for the band. “Now they’ve gone on and are successful but come see us to relive those college years.”
“We have the best fans. It’s just like a big extended family,” Murphy said.
