Waiting for Columbus
Encyclopedia
Waiting for Columbus is the first live album
by the Southern roots-rock band, Little Feat
. The album was recorded during seven performances in 1977. The first four shows were held at the Rainbow Theatre in London on August 1-4, 1977. The final three shows were recorded in George Washington University
's Lisner Auditorium
on August 8-10 that same summer in Washington, D.C.
. Local Washington radio personality Don "Cerphe" Colwell can be heard leading the audience in a "F-E-A-T" spellout on the first track of the album.
The band were backed by the Tower of Power
horn section
with whom they had recorded in previous studio sessions. The result was one of their biggest selling albums and is considered one of the most acclaimed live rock albums in the same vein as The Band
's Rock of Ages
and The Allman Brothers Band
At Fillmore East
.
Many of their more well-known songs were either re-worked or extended. For instance, one of their signature song
s, "Dixie Chicken", was heavily extended to include a lengthy piano solo by keyboardist Bill Payne
, a Dixieland
horn arrangement and finally a dual guitar jam between the band's two guitarists, Lowell George
and Paul Barrere
. In some cases, songs such as "Rocket In My Pocket" and "Mercenary Territory" were re-worked to include the horn section, and Little Feat additionally covered such tunes as "Don't Bogart That Joint" and "On Your Way Down" as well.
The band recorded and mixed enough material from these performances for a triple LP, but for marketing reasons kept it to a double album. Three of the unused tracks were included on their 1981 album Hoy-Hoy!
. All were eventually released on the 2002 "Deluxe edition" CD.
The first reissue was released not long after the original Warner Brothers LP, was mastered by Stan Ricker, MFSL 1-019 and pressed by JVC in Japan.
The other is a 2011 release is: Warner Brothers/Mobile Fidelity MFSL 2-322 2 on 180g vinyl and mastered by Shawn R. Britton.
.
Running time 74:00.
.
Running time: 60:02
Running time: 77:54
With the Tower of Power
horn section:
covered Waiting for Columbus in its entirety as their "musical costume" for their Halloween show at the Boardwalk Hall
in Atlantic City, New Jersey
.
Live album
A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
by the Southern roots-rock 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....
. The album was recorded during seven performances in 1977. The first four shows were held at the Rainbow Theatre in London on August 1-4, 1977. The final three shows were recorded in George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
's Lisner Auditorium
Lisner Auditorium
Lisner Auditorium is an auditorium, located on the campus of The George Washington University, at 730 21st Street, Northwest, Washington, D.C.. It is named for Abram Lisner, a trustee of the University who donated the money for its construction....
on August 8-10 that same summer in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
. Local Washington radio personality Don "Cerphe" Colwell can be heard leading the audience in a "F-E-A-T" spellout on the first track of the album.
The band were backed by the Tower of Power
Tower of Power
Tower of Power is an American R&B-based horn section and band, originating in Oakland, California, that has been performing for over 43 years. They are best known for their funky soul sound highlighted by a powerful horn section...
horn section
Horn section
In music, a horn section can refer to several groups of musicians. It can refer to the musicians in a symphony orchestra who play the horn . In a British-style brass band it refers to the tenor horn players. In popular music, it can also refer to a small group of wind instrumentalists who augment a...
with whom they had recorded in previous studio sessions. The result was one of their biggest selling albums and is considered one of the most acclaimed live rock albums in the same vein as The Band
The Band
The Band was an acclaimed and influential roots rock group. The original group consisted of Rick Danko , Garth Hudson , Richard Manuel , and Robbie Robertson , and Levon Helm...
's Rock of Ages
Rock of Ages (album)
-Side two:-Side three:-Side four:-2001 bonus disc track listing:-Personnel:* Rick Danko - vocal, bass, violin* Levon Helm - vocal, drums, mandolin* Garth Hudson - organ, piano, accordion, tenor saxophone and soprano saxophone solos...
and The Allman Brothers Band
The Allman Brothers Band
The Allman Brothers Band is an American rock/blues band once based in Macon, Georgia. The band was formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1969 by brothers Duane Allman and Gregg Allman , who were supported by Dickey Betts , Berry Oakley , Butch Trucks , and Jai Johanny "Jaimoe"...
At Fillmore East
At Fillmore East
At Fillmore East is a double live album by The Allman Brothers Band. The band's breakthrough success, At Fillmore East was released in July 1971. It ranks Number 49 among Rolling Stone magazine’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time and remains among the top-selling albums in the band’s catalogue...
.
Many of their more well-known songs were either re-worked or extended. For instance, one of their signature song
Signature song
A signature song is the one song that a popular and well-established singer or band is most closely identified with or best known for, even if they have had success with a variety of songs...
s, "Dixie Chicken", was heavily extended to include a lengthy piano solo by keyboardist 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...
, a Dixieland
Dixieland
Dixieland music, sometimes referred to as Hot jazz, Early Jazz or New Orleans jazz, is a style of jazz music which developed in New Orleans at the start of the 20th century, and was spread to Chicago and New York City by New Orleans bands in the 1910s.Well-known jazz standard songs from the...
horn arrangement and finally a dual guitar jam between the band's two guitarists, 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 :...
and Paul Barrere
Paul Barrere
Paul Barrere is a current member of the band Little Feat, having joined the band in 1974...
. In some cases, songs such as "Rocket In My Pocket" and "Mercenary Territory" were re-worked to include the horn section, and Little Feat additionally covered such tunes as "Don't Bogart That Joint" and "On Your Way Down" as well.
The band recorded and mixed enough material from these performances for a triple LP, but for marketing reasons kept it to a double album. Three of the unused tracks were included on their 1981 album Hoy-Hoy!
Hoy-Hoy!
Hoy Hoy! is the name of a Little Feat collection released in 1981 two years after the band's break-up following the death of founder Lowell George...
. All were eventually released on the 2002 "Deluxe edition" CD.
Side one
- "Join The Band" (Traditional) – 1:50
- "Fat Man in the Bathtub" (George) – 4:50
- "All That You Dream" (Barrère, Payne) – 4:25
- "Oh Atlanta" (Payne) – 4:09
- "Old Folks' Boogie" (Barrère, G. Barrère) – 4:22
Side two
- "Time Loves a Hero" (Barrère, Gradney, Payne) – 4:20
- "Day or Night" (Payne, F. Tate) – 5:23
- "Mercenary Territory" (George, E. George, Hayward) – 4:27
- "Spanish Moon" (George) – 4:49
Side three
- "Dixie Chicken" (George, Kibbee) – 9:00
- "Tripe Face Boogie" (Hayward, Payne) – 7:02
- "Rocket in My Pocket" (George) – 3:42
Side four
- "Willin'" (George) – 4:42
- "Don't Bogart That Joint" (E. Ingber, L. Wagner) – 0:57
- "A Apolitical Blues" (George) – 3:41
- "Sailin' Shoes" (George) – 6:18
- "Feats Don't Fail Me Now" (Barrère, George, Kibbee) – 5:17
Vinyl reissue LPs
There have been a pair of half-speed mastered vinyl reissues on LP, both on the Mobile Fidelity label and containing the original full track list as shown above.The first reissue was released not long after the original Warner Brothers LP, was mastered by Stan Ricker, MFSL 1-019 and pressed by JVC in Japan.
The other is a 2011 release is: Warner Brothers/Mobile Fidelity MFSL 2-322 2 on 180g vinyl and mastered by Shawn R. Britton.
1990 single CD
In order to fit the double LP onto one CD, the tracks "Don't Bogart That Joint" and "A Apolitical Blues" were omitted from this release, but included as additional tracks on the CD issue of The Last Record AlbumThe Last Record Album
The Last Record Album is the fifth studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1975. .-Track listing:#"Romance Dance" – 3:49#"All That You Dream" – 3:52...
.
- "Join The Band" (Traditional) – 1:24
- "Fat Man in the Bathtub" (George) – 4:52
- "All That You Dream" (Barrère, Payne) – 4:31
- "Oh Atlanta" (Payne) – 4:20
- "Old Folks' Boogie" (Barrère, G. Barrère) – 4:27
- "Time Loves a Hero" (Barrère, Gradney, Payne) – 4:19
- "Day or Night" (Payne, F. Tate) – 5:31
- "Mercenary Territory" (George, E. George, Hayward) – 4:37
- "Spanish Moon" (George) – 4:42
- "Dixie Chicken" (George, Kibbee) – 8:56
- "Tripe Face Boogie" (Hayward, Payne) – 7:10
- "Rocket in My Pocket" (George) – 3:48
- "Willin'" (George) – 3:50
- "Sailin' Shoes" (George) – 6:20
- "Feats Don't Fail Me Now" (Barrère, George, Kibbee) – 5:21
Running time 74:00.
2002 "Deluxe Edition" double CD
This edition not only restores all the original tracks, but includes several additional tracks recorded at the same appearances where the original tracks were recorded. Disc 1 has all the tracks from sides 1, 3, and 2 (in that order) of the original LP release. Disc 2 opens with side 4, continues with several previously unreleased tracks (6 through 12), and concludes with the three tracks that appeared on Hoy-Hoy!Hoy-Hoy!
Hoy Hoy! is the name of a Little Feat collection released in 1981 two years after the band's break-up following the death of founder Lowell George...
.
Disc one
- "Join The Band" (Traditional) – 1:54 - Lisner Auditorium Washington D.C. August 10, 1977
- "Fat Man in the Bathtub" (George) – 4:53 - Lisner Auditorium Washington D.C. August 8, 1977
- "All That You Dream" (Barrère, Payne) – 4:29 - Lisner Auditorium Washington D.C. August 8, 1977
- "Oh Atlanta" (Payne) – 4:20 - Lisner Auditorium Washington D.C. August 8, 1977
- "Old Folks' Boogie" (Barrère, G. Barrère) – 4:26 - The Rainbow Theatre London England August 4, 1977
- "Dixie Chicken" (George, Kibbee) – 8:53 - The Rainbow Theatre London England August 3 & 4, 1977
- "Tripe Face Boogie" (Hayward, Payne) – 7:09 - The Rainbow Theatre London England August 2 & 3, 1977
- "Rocket in My Pocket" (George) – 3:57 - The Rainbow Theatre London England August 2, 1977
- "Time Loves a Hero" (Barrère, Gradney, Payne) – 4:19 - The Rainbow Theatre London England August 4, 1977
- "Day or Night" (Payne, F. Tate) – 5:30 - The Rainbow Theatre London England August 4, 1977
- "Mercenary Territory" (George, E. George, Hayward) – 4:36 - The Rainbow Theatre London England August 2, 1977
- "Spanish Moon" (George) – 5:36 - Lisner Auditorium Washington D.C. August 8, 1977
Running time: 60:02
Disc two
- "Willin'" (George) – 4:42 - Lisner Auditorium Washington D.C. August 8, 1977
- "Don't Bogart That Joint" (E. IngberElliot IngberElliot Ingber is an American guitarist. In 1966, he was a founding member of Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention and was featured on their debut album Freak Out! After being fired from the band by Frank Zappa, Ingber helped form Fraternity of Man, which released two albums...
, L. Wagner) – 1:01 - Lisner Auditorium Washington D.C. August 8, 1977 - "A Apolitical Blues" (George) – 3:51 - The Rainbow Theatre London England August 3, 1977
- "Sailin' Shoes" (George) – 6:23 - Lisner Auditorium Washington D.C. August 10, 1977
- "Feats Don't Fail Me Now" (Barrère, George, Kibbee) – 5:35 - Lisner Auditorium Washington D.C. August 9, 1977
- "One Love Stand" (Barrère, Gradney, Payne) – 4:27 - Lisner Auditorium Washington D.C. August 9, 1977
- "Rock and Roll Doctor" (George, Kibbee) – 4:17 - Lisner Auditorium Washington D.C. August 9, 1977
- "Skin It Back" (Barrère) – 5:40 - The Rainbow Theatre London England August 2, 1977
- "On Your Way Down" (Allen ToussaintAllen ToussaintAllen Toussaint is an American musician, composer, record producer, and influential figure in New Orleans R&B.Many of Toussaint's songs have become familiar through numerous cover versions, including "Working in the Coalmine", "Ride Your Pony", "Fortune Teller", "Play Something Sweet ", "Southern...
) – 6:25 - Lisner Auditorium Washington D.C. August 10, 1977 - "Walkin' All Night" (Barrère, Payne) – 4:12 - Lisner Auditorium Washington D.C. August 8, 1977
- "Cold, Cold, Cold" (George) – 5:18 - The Rainbow Theatre London England August 4, 1977
- "Day at the Dog Races" (Barrère, Clayton, Gradney, Hayward, Payne) – 12:12 - Lisner Auditorium Washington D.C. August 9, 1977
- "Skin It Back" (Barrère) – 4:40 - Lisner Auditorium Washington D.C. August 8, 1977
- "Red Streamliner" (Payne, F. Tate) – 4:59 - Lisner Auditorium Washington D.C. August 8, 1977
- "Teenage Nervous Breakdown" (George) – 4:12 - Lisner Auditorium Washington D.C. August 9, 1977
Running time: 77:54
Personnel
- Paul BarrèrePaul BarrerePaul Barrere is a current member of the band Little Feat, having joined the band in 1974...
- guitarGuitarThe 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...
, vocals - Sam ClaytonSam ClaytonSam 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....
- congas, vocals - Lowell GeorgeLowell GeorgeLowell 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 :...
- lead vocals, guitarGuitarThe 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... - Kenny GradneyKenny GradneyKenny 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....
- bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Richard HaywardRichie HaywardRichie 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...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, vocals - Bill PayneBill PayneBill 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...
- keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, synthesizerSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
, vocals - Mick TaylorMick TaylorMichael Kevin "Mick" Taylor is an English musician, best known as a former member of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and The Rolling Stones...
- slide guitarSlide guitarSlide 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...
("A Apolitical Blues") - Michael McDonaldMichael McDonald (singer)Michael McDonald is a five-time Grammy Award winning American singer and songwriter. McDonald is known for a soulful baritone singing style and a multi-octave range. He began his career singing back-up vocals with Steely Dan...
and Patrick SimmonsPatrick SimmonsPatrick Simmons is an American musician best known as a guitarist and vocalist for the rock band The Doobie Brothers. His fingerstyle guitar playing complements the strumming style of Tom Johnston. Born in Aberdeen, Washington, he has been the band's only consistent member throughout their tenure...
- backing vocals ("Red Streamliner")
With the Tower of Power
Tower of Power
Tower of Power is an American R&B-based horn section and band, originating in Oakland, California, that has been performing for over 43 years. They are best known for their funky soul sound highlighted by a powerful horn section...
horn section:
- Emilio Castillo - tenor saxophoneTenor saxophoneThe tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor, with the alto, are the two most common types of saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B, and written as a transposing instrument in the treble...
- Greg Adams - trumpetTrumpetThe 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...
- Lenny Pickett - alto saxophoneAlto saxophoneThe alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in 1841. It is smaller than the tenor but larger than the soprano, and is the type most used in classical compositions...
and tenor saxophoneTenor saxophoneThe tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor, with the alto, are the two most common types of saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B, and written as a transposing instrument in the treble... - Stephen "Doc" Kupka - baritone saxophoneBaritone saxophoneThe baritone saxophone, often called "bari sax" , is one of the largest and lowest pitched members of the saxophone family. It was invented by Adolphe Sax. The baritone is distinguished from smaller sizes of saxophone by the extra loop near its mouthpiece...
- Mic GilletteMic GilletteMic Gillette is an American brass player born in 1951 and raised in northern California's East Bay area. He is famous for being a member of Tower of Power, Cold Blood, and The Sons of Champlin....
- tromboneTromboneThe trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
, trumpetTrumpetThe 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...
Cultural References
On 31 October 2010, American rock band PhishPhish
Phish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...
covered Waiting for Columbus in its entirety as their "musical costume" for their Halloween show at the Boardwalk Hall
Boardwalk Hall
Boardwalk Hall, formally known as the Historic Atlantic City Convention Hall, is an arena in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States...
in Atlantic City, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
.