| Representing the Mambo | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1990 | |||
| Studio | Skywalker Ranch, Marin County, California, U.S. | |||
| Genre | Country rock, blues | |||
| Length | 50:49 | |||
| Label | Warner Bros. | |||
| Producer | George Massenburg, Bill Payne | |||
| Little Feat chronology | ||||
| ||||
Representing the Mambo is the ninth studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1990. It peaked at No. 45 on the Billboard 200 and was supported by a North American tour. [1] [2] "Texas Twister" and "Rad Gumbo" were released as singles. [3]
The majority of the album was recorded at Skywalker Ranch, following a week's worth of work in Los Angeles. [4] The album cover art is by Neon Park. [5] Craig Fuller, Bill Payne, and Paul Barrère sing on Representing the Mambo. [6]
"Those Feat'll Steer Ya Wrong Sometimes" is about a band member failing to get out of a speeding ticket. [7] "Teenage Warrior" is about gang warfare in Los Angeles. [8]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [9] |
| Calgary Herald | C− [10] |
| Chicago Sun-Times | [11] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [12] |
| Los Angeles Times | [13] |
| Ottawa Citizen | [14] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [15] |
The Calgary Herald wrote that "one or two tunes sound interesting (the album has a Steely Dan-like studio polish to it), but nothing holds up to even cursory scrutiny." [10] The Sun-Sentinel opined that "though the band still packs a tremendous one-two punch with its rich mix of country rock and blues, the crackle that marked Let it Roll, as well as previous releases, is nowhere to be found." [16] The Chicago Sun-Times praised "the evocative, cinematic title cut." [11]
The Ottawa Citizen noted that "there are hints of the post-psychedelic country-rock of Little Feat's infancy, which usually rings stale." [14] The St. Petersburg Times determined that "some of the new album treads closely to standard rock-radio fare." [17] The Times deemed Representing the Mambo "a more full-tilt slice of Southern rock-a-boogie funk." [18]
Little Feat is an American rock band formed by lead vocalist and guitarist Lowell George, keyboardist Bill Payne, drummer Richie Hayward and bassist Roy Estrada in 1969 in Los Angeles. The band's classic line-up, in place by late 1972, comprised George, Payne, Hayward, bassist Kenny Gradney, guitarist and vocalist Paul Barrere and percussionist Sam Clayton. George disbanded the group because of creative differences shortly before his death in 1979. Surviving members re-formed Little Feat in 1987 and the band has remained active to the present.
Time Loves a Hero is the sixth studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1977.
Down on the Farm is the seventh studio album by the American rock band Little Feat. The album was completed and released shortly after the death of the band's founder and frontman, Lowell George, in 1979. It was their last original work for nine years. The band had announced their break-up in June 1979 during the making of the album. Little Feat would reform in 1987.
Let It Roll is the eighth studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1988. Eight of the ten songs on the album were co-written by new band member Craig Fuller, the founding member of Pure Prairie League. Fuller also takes most lead vocals. The album attained RIAA certified gold status on February 14, 1989. It is the first Little Feat studio album without Lowell George, after his death in 1979 and is one of their most successful albums, sparking a comeback by the band. The first single, "Hate to Lose Your Lovin'", earned the band their first #1 hit on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
Shake Me Up is the tenth studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1991. It was the last album they recorded with frontman Craig Fuller. It is also their only album to feature no lead vocals from keyboardist Bill Payne.
Ain't Had Enough Fun is the 11th studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1995. It was their first with female vocalist Shaun Murphy, and was dedicated to the memory of their cover artist Neon Park who died in 1993.
Live from Neon Park is the second live album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1996. The name of the album was a suggestion of a Little Feat fan in commemoration of the then-recent passing of long-time Little Feat album cover artist and friend of the band, Neon Park.
Under the Radar is the 12th studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1998. It was the fifth studio album since the band reunited in 1988, and the second since vocalist Shaun Murphy joined the group.
Chinese Work Songs is the 13th studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 2000.
Live at the Ram's Head is the third live album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 2002.
Down Upon the Suwannee River is the fourth live album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 2003.
Kickin' It at the Barn is the 14th studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 2003. The album's name came from its recording at guitarist Fred Tackett's barn in Topanga Canyon. Tackett made his debut as a lead vocalist on this album with his own song In A Town Like This, fifteen years after he joined the group. The song also served as the title track of Tackett's solo debut, released the same year.
Highwire Act: Live in St. Louis 2003 is the fifth live album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 2004. There was also a video of the same performance released on DVD.
Dixie Chicken is the third studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1973, on Warner Bros. Records. The artwork for the front cover was by illustrator Neon Park and is a reference to a line from the album's third song, "Roll Um Easy".
Sam Clayton is an American singer and percussionist, primarily focusing on drums, conga and djembe, throughout his musical career. He is best known as a supporting vocalist and percussionist with the American rock band Little Feat since 1972.
Barnstormin' Live is a Little Feat live performance that was first released as two single CD albums, Volume One and Volume Two, in early and late 2005. It was then reissued as a single boxed set in 2006.
Rocky Mountain Jam is the ninth live album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 2007. The album features long improvisational jams on most of the songs including a nod to both Miles Davis' "So What" and the Grateful Dead's "Dark Star" at the beginning of "Dixie Chicken."
Extended Versions is a live album by the American rock band Little Feat, recorded at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles CA on June 15, 1998, for the Under the Radar album release, and released in 2000.
Join the Band is a 2008 album recorded by Little Feat. Their first studio album in five years, it features no new original songs but is a set of collaborations with other artists such as Bob Seger, Emmylou Harris, Dave Matthews and Inara George. It was released on July 1, 2008.
Rooster Rag is the fifteenth album by American rock band Little Feat released in June 2012, on the Hot Tomato label. It was their only studio album to feature drummer Gabe Ford and the last to feature guitarist Paul Barrere who died in 2019.
