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Down on the Farm

Little Feat - Down on the Farm Audio CD

A fair review of the Little Feat "Down on the Farm" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Little Feat reviews here, or go back to the Little Feat tabs.

Band: Little Feat
Title: Down on the Farm
Rating:

Release Date: 1990-10-25
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Down on the Farm 2: Six Feet of Snow 3: Perfect Imperfection 4: Kokomo 5: Be One Now 6: Straight from the Heart 7: Front Page News 8: Wake up Dreaming 9: Feel the Groove

Too Many Haters...
This was probably the first Little Feat album I bought, and it lead to the purchase of the rest of the George-era records, so it definitely had a positive impact on me. I'm giving this album 5 stars because of the great tracks such as Kokomo, Front Page News and the rest of the Lowell George tunes (written, sung and played).

I've read several negative posts and criticisms ([. . . ]) There seems to be a lot of negative response to the slickness of the production, which I don't think is accurate or fair. The song writing is strong, interesting and varried -- from poppy balads (Be One Now), to blues (Perfect Imperfection) to love songs (Front Page News); George delivers some great vocal performances, and the guitar work is truly out of sight (Robbin Ford does the solo on Perfect Imperfection).

Someone else has already said this, but to reiterate: the last two tracks are sub-par (I always thought the rest of the band kind of put them together after George's death to finish off the album, but I have nothing to back this up) -- but given the circumstances, this is forgiveable. . .

So if you're a Little Feat fan, do not be disuaded by the bad reputation of the album, go ahead and get it. I have quite a lot of music, and rarely write reviews. In closing I will say this record honestly has some of the best Little Feat music out there on it, and has nothing in common with Time Loves a Hero.

Missing Lowell's vocals
When the album was released on vinyl the track "Front Page News" was sung by Lowell George and lasted an entire minute longer. My problem with this album is that somewhere between 1980 and now they switched one track out. The backing track is also very different and sped up. I am very dissappointed because I have looked for his version of the song(far superior to Payne's version) and have not been able to find it. If anyone knows what album released has it I would like to here. The album while not perfect is a very nice listen and I think an important epitaph for Lowell (especially with this song).

Feel The Groove Down On The Farm
This album closes out the Lowell George era for the band as he passed on shortly after this came out. No matter where they've have gone musically Little Feat,like the Allman Brothers have always flaunted how they've integrated their influences into their own distinctive sound so well they never seem to be trying for it at all. Excellent and hilarious cover art aside this album actually takes many of Little Feat's influences-from New Orleans funk,jazz,blues,and southern rock (among other things)into another one of their own distinct musical stews. Unlike the jazzy-funk stylings of Time Loves a Hero this album has more of the feel of the old sound of the band,but still with the previous albums studio sheen. The effect,as my dad put it upon hearing this is that of a ballsier version of The Grateful Dead's Shakedown Street,especially on some of the rockier numbers such as the title song and "Wake Up Dreaming". On the other hand one of the highlites is the short but very sweet hyperactive zydeco of "Six Feet Of Snow". There are also tunes such as "Perfect Imperfesion" and "Front Page News" that continue excersising a jazzier kind of sound but Lowell's Dr. John/Van Morrison style vocals add a very soulful bite to the occasion. There's also some great funky stuff here such as the popular "Straight From The Heart" and "Feel The Groove"-they aren't a whole lot different then something channeled straigh out of the Meters/Neville Brothers school of New Orleans funk. While this doesn't often get the praise of other Litte Feat recordings because,as with most of their later work it focuses on songs and shorter grooves rather then jamming. But this isn't the first time that a change in a bands musical approch met with mixed results to some people. And considering most bands today could only hope to even TRY walking in the shoes of a band of this caliber this album is pretty close to incredible,even with that revisionist element taken out.

Definitely NOT Down and Definitely ON THE FARM...
And I think that this is their strongest CD. Little Feat is such an unusually talented and funky band - probably one of the best American bands of all time. Many Litte Feat songs have such incredibly complex rythmns and beats; they almost seem to not follow a steady beat, yet the songs are very tight and in their own way, are never off beat. Very unique songs! This CD, from 1979, was Lowell George's last, as he died right after the production. It has 4 very solid tunes - Perfect Imperfection, Front Page News, Straight From The Heart, and Wake Up Dreaming. I remember buying this album right after it came out and I played it to several friends - withing a month or so, all of them bought the album. Very high praise indeed - this a wonderful CD. You can't go wrong.

For completists only
While their previous release, Time Loves a Hero, showed an exciting new direction in fusion, Down on the Farm sounds like the band phoned it in. Down On the Farm would be Little Feat's final studio album to feature their leader Lowell George as the band would complete the release soon after his untimely death. The great songs as well as their strong musical interplay were gone and a very glossy production didn't help matters.

The title track is the best song here and remains a staple of their live show. "Six Feet of Snow", which the band still performs in a much stronger bluegrass version, and "Kokomo" are the only other tracks you could all decent and would have been better if they weren't so overproduced. The rest of the album comes off sounding way too professional, kind of like when the Allman Brothers Band went adult contemporary in the early-80's. In fact, Lowell George's vocals sound very similar to Dickey Betts at times. The performances have very little passion and the album gets progressively worse from "Be One Now" to the end. Based on the fact that George's death was a severe blow to the band, you can forgive them for this release and the band would put out several strong albums after they regrouped in the late-80's. However, I would recommend this only to a diehard fan who wants to have their entire catalog.
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You can see a complete list of all Little Feat discography, or go back to the Little Feat tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.