Little Feat
The Rialto Theatre
Tucson, AZ
December 7, 2022
by Mary Andrews
This is the 45th anniversary of the Waiting for Columbus live album. The historic Rialto Theatre had a sold out crowd that was more than excited when Little Feat took the stage on a Wednesday night. The album was played in its entirety with some extended versions of many of the songs. It was a special night.
The band greeted the crowd with big smiles as they took their place on the stage behind their instruments as “Join the Band” played in the background. Their infamous “Fat Man in the Bathtub” was their first offering of a night of Little Feat bliss. Drenched in Southern rhythms, funk, jazz and rock and roll, it was a night to be celebrated. As soon as the music started, fans danced until they couldn’t stand anymore.
The band has gone through many changes since Lowell George founded the group after being fired by Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. Keyboardist, Bill Payne, still plays with the present day band and is the only member who played in the original four-piece lineup.
Former musical director for the Greg Allman Band, Scott Sharrard, lead guitarist and singer, joined the band in 2020 following the death of Paul Barrere. Sharrard’s time with Allman peaked when they co-wrote “My Only True Friend” for Allman’s last solo album. Sharrard has reflected on Little Feat’s influence on him as a child.
Drummer, Tony Leone, joined the band in 2020 as well. Leone has worked with rock royalty such as the Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Levon Helm, and Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead.
Fred Tackett was introduced as a man who plays guitar with a pencil. The multi-instrumentalist has performed as a band member since 1988, but he performed in the Little Feat recording sessions during the seventies. Delaney and Bonnie’s Kenny Gradney on bass has been in the band since 1972. Also from Delaney and Bonnie’s band is Sam Clayton. The percussionist has also been in the band since 1972. There were no horn players for this show.
Many of the songs were upbeat and that kept the energy up for the band and the fans. Classic songs played included “Time Loves a Hero,” “Willin’,” “Dixie Chicken,” “Sailin’ Shoes,” and “Let it Roll.” The back screen had many visual photos showing the band in earlier days as well as the album cover art.
It was the music that had the fans in a joyous trance throughout the evening. The incredible musicianship and the treasure trove of music kept the happy crowd enraptured throughout the night.
For a set list, click here.
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