Little Feat has never shied away from transformation. From the untamed energy of Lowell George to the groove-laden reinventions of the ’70s and ’80s, every era of the band has brought a distinct flavor. Their latest effort, Strike Up the Band, continues that tradition — injecting fresh firepower while staying rooted in their genre-bending DNA.
Released more than a decade after 2012’s Rooster Rag, Strike Up the Band is both a revival and a revelation. The addition of guitarist Scott Sharrard, formerly of the Gregg Allman Band, reinvigorates the group. His personal connection to the band’s legacy — his first concert was a Little Feat show in the late ’80s — translates into a performance that feels both reverent and electric.
The album wastes no time proving its potency. Opener “4 Days of Heaven, 3 Days of Work,” co-written by Payne, Sharrard, and drummer Tony Leone, lands with a hard-hitting groove that’s impossible to ignore. “Midnight Flight,” another Sharrard original, layers horns over gritty blues vocals with the swagger of a barroom preacher. The title track adds twang, thanks to Larkin Poe’s soulful backing vocals, while “Too High to Cut My Hair” delivers the tongue-in-cheek wit Little Feat fans love.
But this isn’t just the Sharrard show. Bill Payne remains the band’s rhythmic and spiritual anchor, shining on tracks like “New Orleans Cries When She Sings” and the Cajun sway of “Dance a Little.” He even resurrects “Bluegrass Pines,” a song from his collaborations with Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, tying past and present together with grace.
Strike Up the Band is a testament to Little Feat’s enduring musical chemistry — a wild mix of swampy grooves, playful lyrics, and genre-defying creativity. It’s not a comeback. It’s a continuation, made thrilling by evolution. With more songs in the vault and this lineup’s clear synergy, let’s hope it doesn’t take another 13 years for the next chapter.
