Little Feat - Sam's Place
(Hot Tomato Productions, 2024)
Little Feat has released its first recording since 2012’s Rooster Rag (Hot Tomato Records), featuring percussionist Sam Clayton singing one original and eight carefully selected blues covers. In no small way does Sam’s Place faithfully echo the Rolling Stones’ Blue & Lonesome (Polydor, 2016), both recordings featuring the music of Little Walter Jacobs (1930 - 1968) prominently. Jacobs is criminally under reported in the music literature, considering his evolutionary approach to the harmonica deeply influenced succeeding generations, earning him comparisons with revolutionary artists like Django Reinhardt, Charlie Parker, and Jimi Hendrix.
On Sam’s Place Walter is represented by “Last Night,” “Mellow Down Easy,” and “You’ll Be Mine,” plus the Muddy Waters songs Walters performed on (“Long Distance Call" and “Got My Mojo Workin’”). On hand with the band providing the harmonica is Michael LoBue, whose mouth harp thoroughly informs the country blues-infused “Long Distance Call” (featuring Bonnie Raitt on vocals) and the urban “Don’t Go No Further,” “Last Night” and “Mellow Down Easy” represent Jacob’s dichotomy of slow blues and roadhouse burner.
Guitarist Scott Sharrard provides his incisive slide guitar on Willie Dixon’s “You’ll Be Mine” and “Can’t Be Satisfied,” while Bill Payne issues his best barrelhouse piano playing. Sam’s Place is a celebration of the band, Clayton, the Blues, and, rightfully, Little Walter Jacobs. It is a run twilight recording from America’s most underrated band.