Fred Tackett
Encyclopedia
Fred Tackett, an American
native of Arkansas
, is an accomplished songwriter
and multi-instrumentalist
. Originally a session player
on guitar
, mandolin
, and trumpet
, he is best known for his longevity as a member of the band Little Feat
.
In addition to his work with the Little Feat, Tackett has played and recorded with many notable artists. He has an additional side project with another member of Little Feat; he performs as part of a duo with Paul Barrere
, as Paul and Fred.
at the time of its inception. Working as a session player for other musicians, he continued his friendship with the bandmates, and contributed a song Fool Yourself to their third album Dixie Chicken
as well as acoustic guitar
. He also contributed guitar to their sixth album Time Loves a Hero
.
In 1979 he co-wrote songs with Lowell George for both George's first (and only) solo project Thanks, I'll Eat It Here
, and Little Feat's album Down on the Farm
. It was during work on the latter that the group's break-up was announced. Lowell George died shortly afterwards.
In 1983, he performed on the Antilles Records
release Swingrass '83
.
ist, Lowell George
. The regrouped Little Feat included former members Paul Barrere
, Richie Hayward
, Bill Payne
, Kenny Gradney
, and Sam Clayton
, with the addition of Tackett and Craig Fuller
. All had been former members of Little Feat, except Tackett, who had previously made songwriting contributions and session work for the band. Fuller left in 1993, to be replaced by female vocalist Shaun Murphy
who remained with the group, until 2009. Tackett has remained with Little Feat since the day he joined, and has become an integral member of the band.
Fred Tackett has played a pivotal role in Little Feat's music. In addition to his guitar work, he plays trumpet and mandolin and has co-written several of their songs, forging an active and regular writing partnership with Paul Barrere which has produced such songs as "Marginal Creatures" and "Night On The Town". The 2003 album Kickin' It at the Barn
featured Tackett's debut as a lead vocalist
on his own song "In A Town Like This" which was also the title track from his solo debut album released that year.
s, playing songs that do not require a lot of changing of instruments, to travel as lightly as possible.
Available exclusively from the band's website
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
native of Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, is an accomplished songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and multi-instrumentalist
Multi-instrumentalist
A multi-instrumentalist is a musician who plays a number of different instruments.The Bachelor of Music degree usually requires a second instrument to be learned , but people who double on another instrument are not usually seen as multi-instrumentalists.-Classical music:Music written for Symphony...
. Originally a session player
Session musician
Session musicians are instrumental and vocal performers, musicians, who are available to work with others at live performances or recording sessions. Usually such musicians are not permanent members of a musical ensemble and often do not achieve fame in their own right as soloists or bandleaders...
on guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, mandolin
Mandolin
A mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
, and trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
, he is best known for his longevity as a member of the band Little Feat
Little Feat
Little Feat is an American rock band formed by singer-songwriter, lead vocalist and guitarist Lowell George and keyboardist Bill Payne in 1969 in Los Angeles....
.
In addition to his work with the Little Feat, Tackett has played and recorded with many notable artists. He has an additional side project with another member of Little Feat; he performs as part of a duo with Paul Barrere
Paul Barrere
Paul Barrere is a current member of the band Little Feat, having joined the band in 1974...
, as Paul and Fred.
Association with Little Feat
Tackett's association with Little Feat goes back to a friendship with the founder of the band, Lowell GeorgeLowell George
Lowell Thomas George was an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, who was the main guitarist and songwriter for the rock band Little Feat.- Early years :...
at the time of its inception. Working as a session player for other musicians, he continued his friendship with the bandmates, and contributed a song Fool Yourself to their third album Dixie Chicken
Dixie Chicken (album)
Dixie Chicken is the third studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1973. . The artwork for the front cover was by illustrator Neon Park....
as well as acoustic guitar
Acoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
. He also contributed guitar to their sixth album Time Loves a Hero
Time Loves a Hero
Time Loves a Hero is the sixth studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1977. .-Track listing:#"Hi Roller" – 3:35#"Time Loves a Hero" – 3:47...
.
In 1979 he co-wrote songs with Lowell George for both George's first (and only) solo project Thanks, I'll Eat It Here
Thanks, I'll Eat It Here
Thanks, I'll Eat it Here is the title of the only solo album by the late rock and roll singer-songwriter Lowell George. While George is best known for his work with Little Feat, by 1977 Lowell felt that they were moving increasingly into jazz-rock, a form in which he felt little interest. As a...
, and Little Feat's album Down on the Farm
Down on the Farm
Down on the Farm is the seventh studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1979. It was also their last original work for nine years. The band announced their break-up in June 1979 during the making of the album, and a fortnight later the band's founder and guiding light Lowell...
. It was during work on the latter that the group's break-up was announced. Lowell George died shortly afterwards.
In 1983, he performed on the Antilles Records
Antilles Records
Antilles Records was an American record label that was a subsidiary of Island Records.Its jazz catalog is now managed by Verve Records.-Discography:*1001 Joanne Brackeen - Special Identity 1981*1002 Biréli Lagrène- Routes To Django 1980...
release Swingrass '83
Swingrass '83
Swingrass '83 was a jazz and folk music ensemble which recorded one eponymous album for Antilles Records.Members Andy Statman, Richard Greene, Marty Crystal, Peter Ivers, Fred Tackett, Peter Erskine and Buell Neidlinger crafted the album in studio but with no overdubbing.The album consists of...
.
Joining Little Feat
In 1988 Little Feat reformed despite the absence of their former front man, and prolific singer, songwriter, and slide guitarSlide guitar
Slide guitar or bottleneck guitar is a particular method or technique for playing the guitar. The term slide refers to the motion of the slide against the strings, while bottleneck refers to the original material of choice for such slides: the necks of glass bottles...
ist, Lowell George
Lowell George
Lowell Thomas George was an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, who was the main guitarist and songwriter for the rock band Little Feat.- Early years :...
. The regrouped Little Feat included former members Paul Barrere
Paul Barrere
Paul Barrere is a current member of the band Little Feat, having joined the band in 1974...
, Richie Hayward
Richie Hayward
Richie Hayward was a drummer best known as a founding member and drummer in the band Little Feat. He performed with several bands and worked as a session player...
, Bill Payne
Bill Payne
Bill Payne is a founding member of American rock band Little Feat. He is considered by many other piano rock musicians, including Elton John, to be one of the finest American piano rock and blues music artists...
, Kenny Gradney
Kenny Gradney
Kenny Gradney, a native of New Orleans, is a member of the band Little Feat. He joined after their second album, replacing founding bassist Roy Estrada in 1972....
, and Sam Clayton
Sam Clayton
Sam Clayton has been a singer and percussionist, primarily focusing on drums; conga and djembe, throughout his musical career. He is best known for his membership as percussionist and supporting vocalist with the American rock band Little Feat since 1972....
, with the addition of Tackett and Craig Fuller
Craig Fuller
Craig Fuller is an American musician and songwriter. Co-founder of Pure Prairie League, along with John David Call and George Ed Powell. Fuller departed after their second album, Bustin' Out, due to draft board problems. He returned to the music business in 1976 for two LPs with American Flyer...
. All had been former members of Little Feat, except Tackett, who had previously made songwriting contributions and session work for the band. Fuller left in 1993, to be replaced by female vocalist Shaun Murphy
Shaun Murphy
Shaun Murphy may refer to:*Shaun Murphy , English snooker player*Shaun Murphy , retired Australian soccer player*Shaun Murphy , aka Stoney, American singer-See also:...
who remained with the group, until 2009. Tackett has remained with Little Feat since the day he joined, and has become an integral member of the band.
Fred Tackett has played a pivotal role in Little Feat's music. In addition to his guitar work, he plays trumpet and mandolin and has co-written several of their songs, forging an active and regular writing partnership with Paul Barrere which has produced such songs as "Marginal Creatures" and "Night On The Town". The 2003 album Kickin' It at the Barn
Kickin' It at the Barn
Kickin' It at the Barn is the fourteenth studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 2003. . The album's name came from its recording at guitarist Fred Tackett's barn in Topanga Canyon. Tackett made his debut as a lead vocalist on this album with his own song In A Town Like...
featured Tackett's debut as a lead vocalist
Lead vocalist
The lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
on his own song "In A Town Like This" which was also the title track from his solo debut album released that year.
Paul and Fred
Tackett's writing partnership with Barrere has developed into a separate act where the two perform as a duo. This has produced two live albums and a DVD. A studio album is currently being prepared. They have also spent time between gigs when touring to perform in local radio stationRadio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
s, playing songs that do not require a lot of changing of instruments, to travel as lightly as possible.
As Little Feat session musician
- Dixie ChickenDixie Chicken (album)Dixie Chicken is the third studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1973. . The artwork for the front cover was by illustrator Neon Park....
1973 - Time Loves a HeroTime Loves a HeroTime Loves a Hero is the sixth studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1977. .-Track listing:#"Hi Roller" – 3:35#"Time Loves a Hero" – 3:47...
1977 - Down on the FarmDown on the FarmDown on the Farm is the seventh studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1979. It was also their last original work for nine years. The band announced their break-up in June 1979 during the making of the album, and a fortnight later the band's founder and guiding light Lowell...
1979
As Little Feat group member
- Let It Roll 1988
- Representing the MamboRepresenting the MamboRepresenting the Mambo is the ninth studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1990 . First single "Texas Twister", aided by a popular video which received heavy rotation on MTV, became the band's second #1 hit on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.-Track listing:#"Texas Twister"...
1990 - Shake Me UpShake Me UpShake Me Up is the tenth studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1991. . It was the last that they recorded with frontman Craig Fuller.-Track listing:...
1991 - Ain't Had Enough FunAin't Had Enough FunAin't Had Enough Fun is the eleventh studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1995. . It was their first with female vocalist Shaun Murphy and was dedicated to the memory of their cover artist Neon Park who died in 1993 after a long battle with Lou Gehrig's disease...
1995 - Under the RadarUnder the Radar (Little Feat album)Under the Radar is the twelfth studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1998. . It was the fifth studio album since the band reunited in 1988 and the second since vocalist Shaun Murphy joined Little Feat....
1998 - Chinese Work SongsChinese Work SongsChinese Work Songs is the thirteenth studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 2000.-Track listing:#"Rag Mama Rag" Chinese Work Songs is the thirteenth studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 2000.-Track listing:#"Rag Mama Rag" Chinese Work Songs is the...
2000 - Kickin' It at the BarnKickin' It at the BarnKickin' It at the Barn is the fourteenth studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 2003. . The album's name came from its recording at guitarist Fred Tackett's barn in Topanga Canyon. Tackett made his debut as a lead vocalist on this album with his own song In A Town Like...
2003
Little Feat Live albums
- Live From Neon ParkLive from Neon ParkLive from Neon Park is the second live album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1996. . The name of the album was a suggestion of a Little Feat fan in commemoration of the then-recent passing of long-time Little Feat album cover artist and friend of the band, Neon Park.-Track...
1996 - Live at the Rams HeadLive at the Rams HeadLive at the Ram's Head is the third live album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 2002. .-Track listing:Disc one#"Hate to Lose Your Lovin'" – 4:35#"Rocket in My Pocket" – 7:13...
2002 - Down Upon the Suwannee RiverDown upon the Suwannee RiverDown Upon the Suwannee River is the fourth live album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 2003. .-Track listing:Disc 1#"Introduction" – 0:11#"All That You Dream" – 7:40...
2003 - Highwire Act Live in St. Louis 2003Highwire Act Live in St. Louis 2003Highwire Act: Live in St. Louis 2003 is the fifth live album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 2004. . There was also a video of the same performance released on DVD.-Track listing:Disc 1...
2004 - Barnstormin' LiveBarnstormin' LiveBarnstormin' Live' is a Little Feat live performance that was first released as two single CD albums, Volume One and Volume Two, in early and late 2005...
2005 - Rocky Mountain JamRocky Mountain JamRocky Mountain Jam is the ninth live album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 2007. . It is currently the band's most recent live release and features long improvisational jams on most of the songs including a nod to the Grateful Dead's "Dark Star" at the beginning of "Dixie...
2007
Little Feat Live compilations
- Ripe Tomatos Volume One 2002
- Raw Tomatos Volume One 2002
Paul and Fred
- Live from North Cafe 2001
- Sights and Sounds DVD 2005
- Live in the UK 2008Live in the UK 2008Live in the UK 2008 is a live album by American rock band Paramore. The album is limited edition, with only a small number released featuring 3 live performances in Manchester, Brixton and Birmingham. It is believed that only 1000 copies of this release were made. Originally, there was going to be...
2009
Solo
- In a Town Like This 2003
- Silver Strings 2010
Available exclusively from the band's website
External links
- http://www.littlefeat.net/ Little Feat official
- Paul Barrere and Fred Tackett Acoustic Duo collection at the Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
's live music archive