Waiting for Columbus
1978 live album by Little Feat
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Waiting for Columbus is the first live album by the band Little Feat, 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 the following week at George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium in Washington, D.C., on August 8–10. Local Washington radio personality Don "Cerphe" Colwell can be heard leading the audience in a "F-E-A-T" spellout in between the first ("Join the Band") and second ("Fat Man in the Bathtub") tracks.
August 8–10, 1977
Lisner Auditorium, George Washington University (Washington, D.C., US)
| Waiting for Columbus | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||
| Live album by | ||||
| Released | February 10, 1978 | |||
| Recorded | August 1–4, 1977 August 8–10, 1977 | |||
| Venue | Rainbow Theatre (London, UK) Lisner Auditorium, George Washington University (Washington, D.C., US) | |||
| Length | 78:14 | |||
| Label | Warner Bros. | |||
| Producer | Lowell George | |||
| Little Feat chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Encyclopedia of Popular Music |  [2] |
| Pitchfork | 8.4/10[3] |
| Rolling Stone | (favorable)[4] |
The band were backed by the Tower of Power horn section with whom they had recorded for their 1974 album Feats Don't Fail Me Now.[5] The result was one of their biggest selling albums.
Many of their more well-known songs were either re-worked or extended. For instance, one of their signature songs, "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 Barrère. 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 Fraternity of Man's "Don't Bogart That Joint" and Allen Toussaint's "On Your Way Down" (which had also appeared on 1973's Dixie Chicken album). Former Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor makes a guest appearance playing slide guitar on "A Apolitical Blues".
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.
It was voted number 804 in the third edition of Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums (2000).[6]
The cover art, by Neon Park,[7] depicts items from the Americas unknown to Europeans before Columbus: an anthropomorphic tomato on a hammock in front of a backdrop of American native foliage and cactus.
Vinyl reissue LPs
There have been two different half-speed mastered vinyl reissues on LP, both on the Mobile Fidelity label and containing the original full track list. The first reissue was released not long after the original Warner Brothers LP, was mastered by Stan Ricker, MFSL 2–013, and pressed by JVC in Japan and features a GOLD banner on the cover.[8] The other is a 2011 release on Warner Brothers Records. This version is MFSL 2–322. It was mastered by Shawn R. Britton and pressed on 180g vinyl by Record Technology Incorporated in Camarillo, CA. This version features a GREEN banner the cover.[9]
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,[10] but included as additional tracks on the CD issue of The Last Record Album.[11]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Join the Band" | Traditional | 1:50 |
| 2. | "Fat Man in the Bathtub" | George | 4:50 |
| 3. | "All That You Dream" | Barrère, Payne | 4:25 |
| 4. | "Oh Atlanta" | Payne | 4:09 |
| 5. | "Old Folks' Boogie" | Barrère, Gabriel Barrère | 4:22 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6. | "Time Loves a Hero" | Barrère, Gradney, Payne | 4:20 |
| 7. | "Day or Night" | Payne, Fran Tate | 5:23 |
| 8. | "Mercenary Territory" | George, Hayward | 4:27 |
| 9. | "Spanish Moon" | George | 4:49 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10. | "Dixie Chicken" | George, Martin Kibbee | 9:00 |
| 11. | "Tripe Face Boogie" | Hayward, Payne | 7:02 |
| 12. | "Rocket in My Pocket" | George | 3:42 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Join the Band" | Traditional | 1:50 |
| 2. | "Fat Man in the Bathtub" | George | 4:50 |
| 3. | "All That You Dream" | Barrère, Payne | 4:25 |
| 4. | "Oh Atlanta" | Payne | 4:09 |
| 5. | "Old Folks' Boogie" | Barrère, Gabriel Barrère | 4:22 |
| 6. | "Time Loves a Hero" | Barrère, Gradney, Payne | 4:20 |
| 7. | "Day or Night" | Payne, Fran Tate | 5:23 |
| 8. | "Mercenary Territory" | George, Hayward | 4:27 |
| 9. | "Spanish Moon" | George | 4:49 |
| 10. | "Dixie Chicken" | George, Martin Kibbee | 9:00 |
| 11. | "Tripe Face Boogie" | Hayward, Payne | 7:02 |
| 12. | "Rocket in My Pocket" | George | 3:42 |
| 13. | "Willin'" | George | 4:42 |
| 14. | "Sailin' Shoes" | George | 6:18 |
| 15. | "Feats Don't Fail Me Now" | Barrère, George, Kibbee | 5:17 |
| Total length: | 74:00 | ||
2002 "Deluxe Edition" double CD
This release now contains all the songs that were performed at the series of shows recorded for this album.[12] From the Rhino reissue liner notes (p. 23):
- Disc 1 - (all) & Disc 2, Tracks 1–5: From the original release of Waiting for Columbus. [Note: For aesthetic reasons, the playing order of Sides 2 (tks 9–12) & 3 (tks 6–8) has been switched so that the band's main set (contained on Disc 1) now concludes with the long ovation that leads into the encore.]
- Disc 2 - Tracks 6–10: Performances that were refurbished & mixed for the original album, but not used.
- Disc 2 - Tracks 11–12: Selections that were apparently never considered for inclusion on either the original album or Hoy-Hoy!. They are newly mixed from the original multitrack tapes and do not contain any overdubs.
- Disc 2 - Tracks 13–15: First issued on the album Hoy-Hoy!.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Venue & date | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Join the Band" | Traditional | Lisner Auditorium, Washington D.C., August 10, 1977 | 1:54 |
| 2. | "Fat Man in the Bathtub" | George | Lisner Auditorium, Washington D.C., August 8, 1977 | 4:53 |
| 3. | "All That You Dream" | Barrère, Payne | Lisner Auditorium, Washington D.C., August 8, 1977 | 4:29 |
| 4. | "Oh Atlanta" | Payne | Lisner Auditorium, Washington D.C., August 8, 1977 | 4:20 |
| 5. | "Old Folks' Boogie" | Barrère, Gabriel Barrère | The Rainbow Theatre, London England, August 4, 1977 | 4:26 |
| 6. | "Dixie Chicken" | George, Martin Kibbee | The Rainbow Theatre, London England, August 3 & 4, 1977 | 8:53 |
| 7. | "Tripe Face Boogie" | Hayward, Payne | The Rainbow Theatre, London England, August 2 & 3, 1977 | 7:09 |
| 8. | "Rocket in My Pocket" | George | The Rainbow Theatre, London England, August 2, 1977 | 3:57 |
| 9. | "Time Loves a Hero" | Barrère, Gradney, Payne | The Rainbow Theatre, London England, August 4, 1977 | 4:19 |
| 10. | "Day or Night" | Payne, F. Tate | The Rainbow Theatre, London England, August 4, 1977 | 5:30 |
| 11. | "Mercenary Territory" | George, E. George, Hayward | The Rainbow Theatre, London England, August 2, 1977 | 4:36 |
| 12. | "Spanish Moon" | George | Lisner Auditorium, Washington D.C., August 8, 1977 | 5:36 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Venue & date | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13. | "Willin'" | George | Lisner Auditorium, Washington D.C., August 8, 1977 | 4:42 |
| 14. | "Don't Bogart That Joint" | E. Ingber, L. Wagner | Lisner Auditorium, Washington D.C., August 8, 1977 | 1:01 |
| 15. | "A Apolitical Blues" | George | The Rainbow Theatre, London England, August 3, 1977 | 3:51 |
| 16. | "Sailin' Shoes" | George | Lisner Auditorium, Washington D.C., August 10, 1977 | 6:23 |
| 17. | "Feats Don't Fail Me Now" | Barrère, George, Kibbee | Lisner Auditorium, Washington D.C., August 9, 1977 | 5:35 |
| 18. | "One Love Stand" | Barrère, Gradney, Payne | Lisner Auditorium, Washington D.C., August 9, 1977 | 4:27 |
| 19. | "Rock and Roll Doctor" | George, Kibbee | Lisner Auditorium, Washington D.C., August 9, 1977 | 4:17 |
| 20. | "Skin It Back" | Barrère | The Rainbow Theatre, London England, August 2, 1977 | 5:40 |
| 21. | "On Your Way Down" | Allen Toussaint | Lisner Auditorium, Washington D.C., August 10, 1977 | 6:25 |
| 22. | "Walkin' All Night" | Barrère, Payne | Lisner Auditorium, Washington D.C., August 8, 1977 | 4:12 |
| 23. | "Cold, Cold, Cold" | George | The Rainbow Theatre, London England, August 4, 1977 | 5:18 |
| 24. | "Day at the Dog Races" | Barrère, Clayton, Gradney, Hayward, Payne | Lisner Auditorium Washington D.C., August 9, 1977 | 12:12 |
| 25. | "Skin It Back" | Barrère | Lisner Auditorium, Washington D.C., August 8, 1977 | 4:40 |
| 26. | "Red Streamliner" | Payne, F. Tate | Lisner Auditorium, Washington D.C., August 8, 1977 | 4:59 |
| 27. | "Teenage Nervous Breakdown" | George | Lisner Auditorium, Washington D.C., August 9, 1977 | 4:12 |
| Total length: | 2:17:56 | |||
2022 "Super Deluxe Edition" eight CD box set
On 29 July 2022, Rhino released an eight disc "Super Deluxe Edition" of Waiting for Columbus. It contains three complete shows, the 2nd night from the Rainbow Theatre run, the final night from the Lisner Auditorium run, plus a completely unreleased live show recorded at Manchester City Hall.[13]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Join the Band" | Traditional | 1:55 |
| 2. | "Fat Man in the Bathtub" | George | 4:54 |
| 3. | "All That You Dream" | Barrère, Payne | 4:29 |
| 4. | "Oh Atlanta" | Payne | 4:15 |
| 5. | "Old Folks' Boogie" | Barrère, Gabriel Barrère | 4:32 |
| 6. | "Time Loves a Hero" | Barrère, Gradney, Payne | 4:20 |
| 7. | "Day or Night" | Payne, Fran Tate | 5:30 |
| 8. | "Mercenary Territory" | George, Hayward | 4:38 |
| 9. | "Spanish Moon" | George | 5:04 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10. | "Dixie Chicken" | George, Martin Kibbee | 9:02 |
| 11. | "Tripe Face Boogie" | Hayward, Payne | 7:10 |
| 12. | "Rocket in My Pocket" | George | 4:11 |
| 13. | "Willin'" | George | 3:50 |
| 14. | "Don't Bogart That Joint" | E. Ingber, L. Wagner | 1:02 |
| 15. | "A Apolitical Blues" | George | 3:50 |
| 16. | "Sailin' Shoes" | George | 6:26 |
| 17. | "Feats Don't Fail Me Now" | Barrère, George, Kibbee | 5:35 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Walkin' All Night" | 4:50 |
| 2. | "Skin It Back" | 5:15 |
| 3. | "Fat Man In The Bathtub" | 5:26 |
| 4. | "Red Streamliner" | 5:38 |
| 5. | "Oh Atlanta" | 4:16 |
| 6. | "Day At The Dog Races" | 9:56 |
| 7. | "All That You Dream" | 4:59 |
| 8. | "On Your Way Down" | 7:20 |
| 9. | "Time Loves A Hero" | 4:26 |
| 10. | "Day Or Night" | 7:51 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Rock And Roll Doctor" | 4:10 |
| 2. | "Old Folks Boogie" | 4:31 |
| 3. | "Dixie Chicken" | 12:49 |
| 4. | "Tripe Face Boogie" | 8:13 |
| 5. | "Medley: Willin' / Don't Bogart That Joint" | 5:34 |
| 6. | "Feats Don't Fail Me Now" | 6:39 |
| 7. | "Rocket In My Pocket" | 4:33 |
| 8. | "Sailin' Shoes" | 5:19 |
| 9. | "Teenage Nervous Breakdown" | 3:51 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Walkin' All Night" | 5:02 |
| 2. | "Fat Man In The Bathtub" | 5:04 |
| 3. | "Red Streamliner" | 5:35 |
| 4. | "Oh Atlanta" | 4:23 |
| 5. | "Day At The Dog Races" | 12:51 |
| 6. | "All That You Dream" | 5:36 |
| 7. | "Mercenary Territory" | 4:36 |
| 8. | "On Your Way Down" | 7:18 |
| 9. | "Skin It Back" | 5:36 |
| 10. | "Old Folks Boogie" | 4:41 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Rock And Roll Doctor" | 4:21 |
| 2. | "Cold Cold Cold" | 5:11 |
| 3. | "Dixie Chicken" | 11:47 |
| 4. | "Tripe Face Boogie" | 6:35 |
| 5. | "Medley: Willin' / Don't Bogart That Joint" | 5:47 |
| 6. | "Feats Don't Fail Me Now" | 7:12 |
| 7. | "Rocket In My Pocket" | 3:49 |
| 8. | "Spanish Moon" | 6:00 |
| 9. | "A Apolitical Blues" | 5:05 |
| 10. | "Teenage Nervous Breakdown" | 4:20 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Walkin' All Night" | 5:10 |
| 2. | "Red Streamliner" | 5:38 |
| 3. | "Fat Man In The Bathtub" | 5:06 |
| 4. | "Day At The Dog Races" | 11:04 |
| 5. | "All That You Dream" | 5:21 |
| 6. | "On Your Way Down" | 6:41 |
| 7. | "Time Loves A Hero" | 4:23 |
| 8. | "Day Or Night" | 7:23 |
| 9. | "Skin It Back" | 5:52 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Oh Atlanta" | 4:45 |
| 2. | "Old Folks Boogie" | 4:05 |
| 3. | "Dixie Chicken" | 14:04 |
| 4. | "Tripe Face Boogie" | 7:43 |
| 5. | "Feats Don't Fail Me Now" | 6:58 |
| 6. | "Rocket In My Pocket" | 4:39 |
| 7. | "Sailin' Shoes" | 6:21 |
| 8. | "Teenage Nervous Breakdown" | 3:19 |
Personnel
Little Feat
- Paul Barrère – guitar, vocals
- Sam Clayton – congas, vocals
- Lowell George – lead vocals, guitar
- Kenny Gradney – bass guitar
- Richard Hayward – drums, vocals
- Bill Payne – keyboards, synthesizer, vocals
Guest musicians
- Mick Taylor – lead and slide guitar ("A Apolitical Blues")
- Michael McDonald and Patrick Simmons – backing vocals ("Red Streamliner")
Tower of Power horn section
- Emilio Castillo – tenor saxophone
- Greg Adams – trumpet
- Lenny Pickett – alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, and clarinet ("Dixie Chicken")
- Stephen "Doc" Kupka – baritone saxophone
- Mic Gillette – trombone, trumpet
Charts
| Chart (1978) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[14] | 27 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[15] | 29 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[16] | 11 |
| Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[17] | 18 |
| US Billboard 200[18] | 18 |
| Chart (2022) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[19] | 170 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[20] | 51 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[21] | 55 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[22] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Tributes
- On 31 October 2010, American rock band Phish covered Waiting for Columbus in its entirety as their "musical costume" for their Halloween show at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
- On 31 December 2011, Little Feat along with former member Craig Fuller performed the entire set on Jimmy Buffett's Radio Margaritaville.