Sailin' Shoes

Essential purchase for all fans of the Feat. I have owned this album for decades, both vinyl and cd versions, and always found the cd version somewhat lacking in zing compared to the record. Then Warners released the 4 cd box set Hotcakes and Outtakes, which had much better mastering than previous cd issues.I thought it was going to be an introduction to a full revisiting of the Lowell era albums, but no. All went quiet again, until now.Here we have the best sounding version of this classic album on cd to date. It sounds magnificent. Everything sounds fresh and real. A veil has been lifted, to use a cliche from the world of hifi.The bonus material consists of studio outtakes, which are interesting in a listen to once or twice sort of way, and live material that has been available on bootleg for years and years.The live material is worth price of entry alone. Whilst not being multi-track audiophile sonic perfection, this insight into what a Feat show was like back then really delivers the goods and then some. Feat were fond of improv and it’s great to hear where they take the songs. The high energy and enthusiastic delivery more than make up for any sonic imperfections. Having heard the bootlegs I can honestly say that I have never heard the show sound as good as it does here. The live material will get played often.Thank you Warners for actually delivering a revisited album in a fashion that redresses the inferior sound quality of previous issues in cd and also for giving the fan bonus material that is genuinely well worth owing.

Very pleased that this great album is finally getting the Deluxe Edition treatment which is long overdue. Little Feat were an incredible live band with their fusion of blues, funk, jazz, soul mixed in with some mighty rock n roll. They never got the label support they warranted despite music journalists and audiences championing them. 'Sailin Shoes' is a classic Little Feat album which features the timeless song 'Willin'. The latter is but one of the musical treasures here. This album also marks a transition period for the band. The classic line up was about a year away. Lowell George, Bill Payne and Richie Hayward would remain but bass player Roy Estrada would depart to work with Frank Zappa.CD One is 2023 remaster and it sounds beyond great. CD Two is a collection of demos, outtakes and rare tracks plus ten live cuts from an LA concert in August 1971. No ill sounding junk on the latter, the demos and alternate takes all sound album worthy plus two, Easy to Slip and Texas Rose Cafe were offered to the Doobie Brothers. No surprise as master producer Ted Templeman is involved. A great little booklet with essays, lyrics, rare photos and full production credits is also included. This album is perhaps the end of something very good and the start of something great.

I don't think any review will persuade the uninitiated to purchase this brilliant masterpiece. Like the first album (a stone-cold, underrated classic that surely deserved a reissue like this one) this takes me back to the early '70's: a truly amazing album and a reminder of great times, friends and places. Saw them live a few times in the later '70's and while they were great, this was their finest period.The 2nd disc is worth the price alone. However: the back of the original album cover is butchered here because of the inclusion of an unnecessary red, square track listing. The trio responsible for this (we know who you are, your names are given!) should never be allowed anywhere near such a project in the future.

What a pleasant surprise this is... a beautifully remastered and presented expanded reissue of the Feats 1972 classic and arguably best album. You might think it is ten years too late as how many of us Feat fans are left? I thought I was the last man standing but thankfully it seems not to be the case.Feat are probably my favourite SoCal band of that golden 1970-1975 era when so much great music was made in California before certain bad habits ruined everything. This reissue has 2CDs, one of the original LP and a second with "hotcakes, outtakes & rarities" including a very nice 43 minutes live set from 1971.... probably the earliest good quality live tape of the Feats yet found? The outtakes are all wothwhile being demos, alternates and a smattering of unreleased tracks (some of which have been available before but not for some years). The booklet is excellent too with erudite liners, quotes from the time of release, great photos and full lyrics and credits.... looks very much a labour of love.Top notch then and a must buy, believe me you'll thank me.

I discovered Little Feat late but already had this on CD. I bought it for the remaster and the additional tracks on CD2.The remaster sounds very clear and on CD2 tracks 1, 4, 6, 8 & 10 are previously unreleased as well as all the live show (tracks 2, 3, 5, 7 & 9 were on Hotcakes & Outtakes whilst track 11 was a promotional single).The previously unreleased tracks are worth having and the sound on the live show is very good.All in all worth buying the album again to get the remastered sound and the unreleased tracks.

Another great Little feat reissue. Added bonus of otttakes and live cuts. Sounds great and comes with an nformative booklet.