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Little Feat guitarist Fred Tackett hails from Arkansas. That fact is written in every word he sings and
plays on his solo release, In A Town Like This. In a musical coleslaw that combines equal
parts blues, country, hillbilly, eastern, and western music, Mr. Tackett paints his soundscape with
broad autumnal strokes that recalls Arkansas in August. The title cut begins with a Middle Eastern
sound that disappears into a shuffling blues mirage. Accompanied by double bassist Domenic
Genova and cellist Miles Tackett, the song immediately suggests an Ozark Bob Dylan singing a
Robbie Robertson song.
The disc is populated with low-key songs replete with impressive guitar, mandolin, and bass
playing. The lyrics are almost mystical, ranging from cautious anxiety
("A Blinding Faith") to lament ("Had We Known Better" sung with Lowell
George’s Daughter, Inara George). Mr. Tackett reprises "Honest Man" which he co-
wrote with Lowell George to great effect. Listening to "Honest Man" one can hear exactly
what contribution Tackett makes to the current Little Feat.
This is humid, dusty music, like that imagined as the soundtrack to a merciless Southern
summer with no rain, just the promise of some.
For more information, see Little Feat,
Hot Tomato and
Fred Tackett.
~ C. Michael Bailey
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Track Listing: In a Town Like This; A Blinding Faith; Gold Tooth Woman; Dance for Patricia; Domenic’s Interlude; A
Church Falling Down; Had We Known Better; Honest Man; Find A River.
Personnel: Fred Tackett—Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Miles Tackett—Cello, Bass, Producer; Domenic Genova—
Bass; Inara George—Vocals.
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