Let It Roll

After assembling the surviving members of Little Feat for a mid-‘80s reunion tour, Bill Payne reconvened the band for the inevitable and perilous comeback album. Little Feat could never be the same after Lowell George’s death in 1979, but Let It Roll is surprisingly faithful to George’s vision of the band. Sure, the ‘80s production techniques do away with some of the skillet grit of the old Feat, and replacement vocalist Craig Fuller (formerly of Pure Prairie League) is a bit mild compared to George, but “One Clear Moment,” “Hangin’ On to the Good Times” and “Listen to Your Heart” are great songs. The band has not smoothed out at all — they still have an irreplaceable feel for groove and interplay, and they still sound like they’re having a great time. It is better that they didn’t try to completely recreate the music from the older era, although “Hate to Lose Your Lovin’” is a classic barnstormer that should make Lowell George proud, wherever he may be.