Sailin' Shoes is the second studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1972. Produced by Ted Templeman, it marked a shift away from the sound of the band's eponymous debut, to that of their subsequent album, Dixie Chicken. It also introduced the cover artwork of Neon Park to the group, and was the last album appearance of original bassist Roy Estrada.
Music and recording
The music of Sailin' Shoes is a mixture of pop, rock, blues and country. Park himself said of the cover: "The Sailin' Shoes cover was inspired by Louis XIV. I'd just seen Rossellini's film about Louis XIV. And it seemed to relate a lot to Hollywood. A situation ruled by someone who kept everybody under his thumb by keeping them in hock from buying fancy clothes seemed to relate to Hollywood somehow. Actually, the only thing that was missing was the Hollywood sign, which I was going to put in the background. I thought that would be gauche. But I had a chance to pick up on that later with The Last Record Album.” In 2008 the album was released as Gold CD by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab.
Record World said that "Easy to Slip" "features passionate vocal harmonies and one of the finest rhythm sections that ever rocked."
Cover versions
"Willin'" has been covered numerous times by various artists.
- In 1972, Van Dyke Parks covered "Sailin' Shoes" on his album Discover America.
- In 1973, the Scottish hard rock band Nazareth covered "Teenage Nervous Breakdown" on their album Loud 'n' Proud.
- In 1974, backed by the Meters and Lowell George, Robert Palmer covered "Sailin' Shoes" on his debut solo album Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley.
- In 1975, Robert Palmer covered "Trouble" on his album Pressure Drop.
- In 1977, Bob Weir covered "Easy to Slip" on his solo release Heaven Help the Fool.
- In 1988, Van Halen recorded a cover of "A Apolitical Blues" on their album, OU812, although the song is not included on cassette and vinyl copies of the album.
- In 2022, the Black Crowes recorded a cover of "Easy to Slip" on their covers EP, 1972.
Track listing
Note: All songs are sung by Lowell George, except "Cat Fever" sung by Bill Payne
Deluxe edition
A remastered and expanded edition of Sailin' Shoes was released on June 23, 2023. This new edition is a 2-CD set, with the original album on disc one, and bonus material on disc two labeled as Hotcakes, Outtakes & Rarities. Tracks 12 to 21 were recorded live and labeled as Thank You! I’ll Eat It Here.
Personnel
;Little Feat
- Lowell George - lead vocals (except "Cat Fever"), backing vocals, guitar, harmonica, baritone saxophone, drum machine
- Bill Payne - lead vocals ("Cat Fever"), backing vocals, Hammond organ, Wurlitzer electric piano, piano, accordion
- Roy Estrada - backing vocals, bass
- Richie Hayward - backing vocals, drums, percussion
Additional
- Milt Holland - percussion on "Easy to Slip" and "Trouble"
- Sneaky Pete Kleinow - pedal steel guitar on "Willin'" and "Texas Rose Café"
- Debbie Lindsey - backing vocals on "Cold Cold Cold" and "Sailin' Shoes"
- Ron Elliott - rhythm guitar on "A Apolitical Blues"