Photos and review: Little Feat rocked the funk at Granada Theater (July 26)

They played fight songs for every 9-to-5er.

Little Feat at Granada Theater (July 26)

Photos by Gilbert Martinez

Photo by Gilbert "Gib" Martinez

Bassist Kenny Gradney of Little Feat is on the move.

DALLAS — We'll call it the best party in Dallas on Thursday night: The sold-out Little Feat concert at Granada Theater had a noticeably diverse crowd that spanned many generations, perhaps reflecting the diversity of the band itself.

Little Feat is known for its smooth, acoustic rifts in the gently swaying song "Willin." When the piano pounded, the intermittent folk chords -- perfect for a Texas dance hall -- incited cheers among the folk and country fans at Granada. The lyrics "from Tucson to Tucumcari" are like an American music anthem sung by fans while driving dusty roads or sitting around campfires. The crowd of course chimed in, as many knew every word by heart.

Set list

Rocket in my Pocket

Honest Man

Just a Fever

Mellow Down Easy

Way Down Under

Fat Man

Rooster Rag

Willin'

Church Falling Down

Spanish Moon

Dixie Chicken

The Caribbean beat infused into the music made it impossible to keep our feet still. From the opening song "Rocket in my Pocket," there was no doubt the heavy wailing blues licks were going to make a presence. Then right into the second song "Honest Man" -- a fight song for every 9-to-5er -- the music had a stompin, jazzy groove.

"Just a Fever" brought in Deep South vintage blues chords -- swampland roots blues chords that take us to Little Feat's funk base. Of course, they also visited tunes from their newest release with "Rooster Rag," "Church Falling Down," "Mellow Down Easy," and "Way Down Under."

The crowd expressed great exuberance for a great band at a great venue. The society of music is a strong community.