Photo Credit: Fletcher Moore
Little Feat have announced its first new studio LP in 12 years, Sam’s Place, due on May 17 via Hot Tomato Productions/MRI. The forthcoming project represents the acclaimed ensemble’s initial blues record and first-ever to feature linchpin conga player Sam Clayton on lead vocals across every song. As a preview, the band shared a cover of the Willie Dixon-written/Howlin’ Wolf popularized “You’ll Be Mine,” which appears on the set.
The forthcoming collection finds band members Bill Payne (keyboards and vocals), Sam Clayton (percussion and vocals), Fred Tackett (guitars and vocals), Kenny Gradney (bass), Scott Sharrard (guitars and vocals), and Tony Leone (drums and vocals) working through nine tracks, including live cuts, first-time material, covers and collaborations.
According to the band’s press release, Payne had the idea for the LP, which was soon received by his music accomplices. The first inkling of what was to come arrived during the band’s sound checks and took the form of the new song, “Milk Man,” scribed by Clayton, Sharrard and Tackett. Bonnie Raitt also assisted in formulating the tracking list, suggesting the inclusion of Howlin’ Wolf’s tune “You Will Be Mine,” while Sharrard proposed the Bobby Charles tune “Why People Like That.”
Also making the list of official covers is the Clayton suggestion, Willy Dixon-penned “Don’t Go No Further,” and a live version of “Got My Mojo Working.” Sharrard recorded in Memphis, Tenn., and the whole band eventually followed to the second Phillips studio, where Payne used Jerry Lee Lewis’ piano, which he remarked “practically played itself.”
On the project, Clayton added, “I’m very happy because I was never expecting anything like that. I mean, I have wanted to, but I just wasn’t expecting it to come to fruition. It was a long wait, but it’s satisfying.”
Watch the official lyrical video for the debut single “You’ll Be Mine” below.
Pre-order Sam’s Place now.
