Week 31

Let's skip the mumbo jumbo this week and get on with the gettin' on (8/2-8/8):

Southern Culture On The Skids - Liquored Up And Laquered Down
Little Feat - Dixie Chicken
Little Feat - Little Feat
Ted Nugent - Little Miss Dangerous
The Little Willies - The Little Willies
Tim McGraw - Live Like You Were Dying
The Velvet Underground - Loaded
The Clash - London Calling
Alison Krauss & Union Station - Lonely Runs Both Ways
Faces - Long Player
Little Feat was founded by the highly influential Lowell George after departing Frank Zappa's band Mothers of Invention. One of Little Feat's most famous songs Willin', from their self-titled debut, is cited as the reason for George leaving Zappa's band, but the specifics of why aren't exactly clear. When Little Feat was recorded Lowell's hand was hurt and the talented Ry Cooder actually played slide on the studio recording of Willin'. By the third album Dixie Chicken came out the bands sound was more defined. Notably Dixie Chicken also features Bonnie Raitt, whom at the time had released a few albums with little commercial success. While taking my time to get this blog written I also learned that Richie Hayward, drummer of Little Feat, passed away on 8/12/2010. The write-up on Little Feat's official site states:

The world’s a little quieter and a lot less rhythmic today, although heaven’s a lot funkier. We urge everyone to hug your loved ones, light a candle, listen to something righteous, and pledge to give more to the world – because Richie sure did.

Do yourself a favor and listen to some Little Feat in memory of Richie. I love both of these albums, but my favorite is Sailin' Shoes which is the second studio album. My son loves the art for Dixie Chicken and Sailin' Shoes which were both done by Neon Park:

The Little Willies is a side project Norah Jones has with friends from there time together living in New York. They formed back in 2003 and played off and on over their downtime with their full time bands. When they finally got around to recording they packed an album full of their influences like Willie Nelson, Townes Van Zandt, Kris Kristofferson, Hank Williams, and Fred Rose mixed with originals. This music is just plain fun to listen to as the spin they songs in their own style which is more like swing than plain country. Highly recommend checking this one out.
 
Despite the thinking that a Velvet Underground album titled Loaded would be a drug reference, it actually has to do with the fact that the record label (Atlantic) requested the album be "loaded with hits". Velvet Underground was purged from their previous label which was releasing all their druggie and hippie bands which included acts like the aforementioned Mothers of Invention. Lou Reed left the band prior to the release which had much to do with pressure from the label and lack of progress in the band. Many track were edited and altered without his consent. Despite the controversy the album is actually loaded with great music and contains great tunes like Sweet Jane and Rock & Roll despite the fact that the album itself wasn't the hit the label hoped. The final track from Loaded - Oh Sweet Nuthin' - has been a staple of The Black Crowes since their Woodstock recordings at Levon Helm's studio and is featured on the Cabin Fever DVD release from those sessions.

The Faces Long Player album kicks off with the ripping tune Bad N' Ruin (if you read last week's post you now know where the author got his pseudonym). Noteworthy news on the Faces are the fact they have re-united for a reunion tour. Rod Stewart is not joining them due to scheduling conflict and obviously Ronnie Lane passed on years ago, but the core of this band and the soul Ronnie Wood is there and I for one am anxiously awaiting news of when they may tour the US. For a hint of what has me so excited check out the BBC interview Wood and drummer Kenney Jones. The answer is potential guest appearances by Chris Robinson and Slash.