Join the Band
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Dave Matthews’ “Fat Man” arguably is the best reinterpretation on this “tribute” album. Radically different from the original, it’s slowed way down and adds African and island overtones, but the real treat is Matthews’ dozen and a half vocal tracks (he’s always used his voice like an instrument) and Sonny Landreth’s soporific slide guitar.
Nearly four years in the making and not really a tribute, “Join the Band” features Little Feat as the core band and boasts seven tracks not found on any of their albums. Of those, “Champion of the World,” a Will Kimbrough tune from his 2002 “Home Away” CD, shines brightest; it’s one of those “I’m a loser but when I’m with my baby I’m a winner” songs.
Other highlights include Craig Fuller and Vince Gill lending a hand to “Spanish Moon” (it’s not every day one hears two Pure Prairie League alumni singing on the same tune); “Time Loves a Hero,” just for its sheer instrumental virtuosity; and Chris Robinson’s take on a song about his home town, “Oh Atlanta.”
Three “throwaways” round it all out — “Something in the Water,” “See You Later Alligator” and “Don’t Ya Just Know It” — but Little Feat’s filler is still better than most groups’ best stuff.
Tracks
1. Fat Man In The Bathtub (feat. Dave Matthews & Sonny Landreth)
2. Something In The Water (feat. Bob Seger)
3. Dixie Chicken (feat. Vince Gill & Sonny Landreth)
4. See You Later Alligator
5. Champion Of The World (feat. Jimmy Buffett)
6. The Weight (feat. Bela Fleck)
7. Don’t Ya Just Know It
8. Time Loves A Hero (feat. Jimmy Buffett)
9. Willin’ (feat. Brooks & Dunn)
10. This Land Is Your Land (feat. Mike Gordon)
11. Oh Atlanta (feat. Chris Robinson)
12. Spanish Moon (feat. Craig Fuller & Vince Gill)
13. Trouble (feat. Inara George)
14. Sailin’ Shoes (feat. Emmylou Harris, Sam Bush & Bela Fleck)
15. I Will Play For Gumbo (feat. Sam Bush — bonus track)
Total time: 1:06:14
External links
artist’s website
amazon.com
iTunes Store
