Night Music: Little Feat, “Dixie Chicken” (with Emmy Lou Harris and Bonnie Raitt)

I’m kind of impressed how often Burt Sugarman’s Midnight Special surfaces as ace performances. But of course, back in the day we stayed up to watch it, so it shouldn’t be a surprise.

Lowell George introduces this clip as featuring the backup singers, Emmylou Harris and Bonnie Raitt, but the actual tune has them vamping. There aren’t that many harmonies to be found in Lowell George’s blues.

It’s a great clip, but it reminds me of the critique I tried to get across earlier today. Little Feat is kind of like the Steely Dan of Southern Rock. There is almost no way to argue against what they played, but for me the emotional point of entry is obscured. Despite the funky sounds, I hear more head than heart, and that makes me less interested.

But boy, they sure can play.

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