Two of Little Feat’s best albums – “Sailin’ Shoes” and “Dixie Chicken” – have been both newly remastered for upcoming Deluxe Editions that will introduce unreleased live and studio recordings that capture peak Feat. Little Feat’s second and third albums, “Sailin’ Shoes” and “Dixie Chicken”, will be reissued as expanded deluxe editions in June.
Both records “Sailin’ Shoes” was first released in 1972 while “Dixie Chicken” followed in ’73) have been remastered and recut to vinyl and the expanded 2CD and 3LP editions offer previously unreleased studio outtakes and demos, and complete unreleased live shows (same content on vinyl and CD).
“Sailin’ Shoes” includes the classic and much covered ‘Willin”, as well as the title track which Robert Palmer recorded for his debut album “Sneaking Sally Through The Alley”. In fact, so smitten was Palmer with Little Feat as musicians, that they became his backing band on a few tracks on his second solo album, 1975’s “Pressure Drop”.
Released in 1972, “Sailin’ Shoes” was the second studio album from the founding quartet of singer-guitarist Lowell George, drummer Richard Hayward, keyboard player Bill Payne, and bassist Roy Estrada. Ted Templeman produced the record, which was the first to feature artwork by illustrator Neon Park, who created covers for nearly all of Little Feat’s albums.
SAILIN’ SHOES (DELUXE EDITION) opens with a newly remastered version of the original album, which introduced signature tunes like “Easy To Slip,” the title track, and an updated version of “Willin’” a song that also appeared in 1971 on the band’s eponymous debut. Several outtakes from the album’s recording sessions make their debut on the Deluxe Edition, including alternate versions of “Cold, Cold, Cold,” “A Apolitical Blues,” and “Willin’.”
The magic that Little Feat conjured in concert takes centre stage in the new set with a newly discovered and previously unreleased complete show recorded at the Palladium in Los Angeles on August 28th, 1971. This live set marks the only multi-track recording in existence to feature the original line-up of the band. The performance features songs from both Sailin’ Shoes (“Tripe Face Boogie,” “Teenage Nervous Breakdown”) and Little Feat (“Hamburger Midnight,” “Snakes On Everything.”) The set also comes with illustrated liner notes written by acclaimed music journalist, David Fricke.
“Dixie Chicken”, the band’s third studio album, emerged in 1973 and introduced fans to Little Feat’s evolving sound and new line-up. The group’s shift toward New Orleans-style funk was accompanied by the arrival of three new members, guitarist Paul Barrere, percussionist Sam Clayton, and bassist Kenny Gradney (who replaced Estrada).
DIXIE CHICKEN (DELUXE EDITION) contains the newly remastered album, which features classics like “Two Trains,” “Fat Man In The Bathtub,” and the title track. Several unreleased session recordings debut in the new set, including alternate versions of “Roll Um Easy,” “On Your Way Down,” and “Juliette.” The unreleased live music was recorded at Paul’s Mall in Boston on March 1, 1973. They feature songs from Dixie Chicken (“Two Trains,” “Walkin’ All Night”) and the band’s earlier albums (“Willin’,” “Got No Shadow.”) The illustrated liner notes included in the collection were written by author Dennis McNally, who got his start as the Grateful Dead’s publicist.
“Dixie Chicken” features songs such as ‘Two Trains’, ‘Fat Man in the Bathtub’ and of course the brilliant title track.
Little Feat will celebrate these deluxe editions with “The Albums Tour” this fall, which will feature the band playing each album in its entirety across back-to-back nights at select venues (night one will be Sailin’ Shoes and night two will be Dixie Chicken). Preceding “The Album Tour,” the band is currently in the midst of their “Boogie Your Spring Away” tour, making their way across the East Coast in the coming days before making special appearances at the MerleFest in North Carolina April 27 and The Green River Festival on June 25 in Massachusetts. After a short break, Little Feat will hop back on the road for the “Boogie Your Summer Away” tour, kicking off July 12 in Atlanta and wrapping up summer dates at the Hot August Music Festival on August 19 in Maryland.
SAILIN’ SHOES (DELUXE EDITION) 3LP Track Listing
Original Album (2023 Remaster)
Side One
“Easy To Slip”
“Cold, Cold Cold”
“Trouble”
“Tripe Face Boogie”
“Willin’”
“A Apolitical Blues”
Side Two
“Sailin’ Shoes”
“Teenage Nervous Breakdown”
“Got No Shadow”
“Cat Fever”
“Texas Rose Café”
Hotcakes, Outtakes, Rarities
Side One
“Sailin’ Shoes” – Demo *
“Easy To Fall” (early version of “Easy To Slip”) – Demo For Doobie Bros.
“Texas Rose Café” – Demo For Doobie Bros.
“Cold, Cold, Cold” – Alternate Version *
“Roto/Tone”
Side Two
“A Apolitical Blues” – Alternate Version *
“Boogie” (early version of “Tripe Face Boogie”)
“Trouble” – Alternate Version *
“Doriville”
“Willin’” – Alternate Version *
“Easy To Slip” – Mono Single Version
Thank You! I’ll Eat It Here: Live At The Palladium, Los Angeles, CA (8/28/71)
Side One
“Tripe Face Boogie” *
“Hamburger Midnight” *
“Cat Fever” *
“Willin’” *
“Strawberry Flats” *
Side Two
“Got No Shadow” *
“Texas Rose Café” *
“Snakes On Everything” *
“Hot Rod” *
“Teenage Nervous Breakdown” *
DIXIE CHICKEN (DELUXE EDITION)
3LP Track Listing
Original Album (2023 Remaster)
Side One
“Dixie Chicken”
“Two Trains”
“Roll Um Easy”
“On Your Way Down”
“Kiss It Off”
Side Two
“Fool Yourself”
“Walkin’ All Night”
“Fat Man In The Bathtub”
“Juliette”
“Lafayette Railroad”
Hotcakes, Outtakes, Rarities
Side One
“Two Trains” – Demo
“Fat Man In The Bathtub” – Demo
“Walkin’ All Night” – Alternate Version *
“Roll Um Easy” – Alternate Version *
“On Your Way Down” – Alternate Version *
Side Two
“Eldorado Slim”
“Juliette” – Alternate Version *
“Hi Roller (Ace In The Hole)”
“Dixie Chicken” – Alternate Version *
Icepick Eldorado: Live At Paul’s Mall, Boston, MA (4/1/73)
Side One
“Two Trains” *
“Got No Shadow” *
“On Your Way Down” *
Side Two
“Walkin’ All Night” *
“Fat Man In The Bathtub” *
“Willin’” *
“A Apolitical Blues” *
These 2CD and 3LP deluxe editions of “Sailin’ Shoes” and “Dixie Chicken” will be released on 23rd June 2023, via Rhino Records.
The Fat Angel Sings 