Little Feat Announces Blues-Themed ‘Sam’s Place,’ 1st New Album In 12 Years

Little Feat‘s forthcoming new album Sam’s Place marks several firsts for the legendary band. The nine-track affair, due out on May 17 via Hot Tomato Productions/MRI and containing lead single “You’ll Be Mine,” is Little Feat’s first-ever blues album, first new LP since 2012’s Rooster Rag, first recorded by the current lineup and is their first to feature longtime percussionist Sam Clayton on lead vocals on every song.

Little Feat — longtime keyboardist Bill Payne, bassist Kenny Gradney , percussionist Sam Clayton and multi-instrumentalist Fred Tackett along with guitarist Scott Sharrard and drummer Tony Leone — recently announced the Can’t Be Satisfied Summer Tour. The trek takes its name the early Muddy Waters’ classic they covered for Sam’s Place and the announcement of tour included word a blues album was in the works.

The ensemble gathered at the famed Sam Phillips Recording studio in Memphis last August to record Sam’s Place. While eight of the tunes come from those sessions, Little Feat also tacked on a live version of “Got My Mojo Working” captured during a concert at the Boulder Theater on December 17, 2022.

Bill Payne came up with the idea of creating a blues album starring Sam Clayton and the percussionist jumped at the opportunity. “I’m very happy because I was never expecting anything like that,” Clayton explained. “I mean, I have wanted to, but I just wasn’t expecting it to come to fruition. It was a long wait, but it’s satisfying.” Little Feat also took on blues classics by Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Walter Jacobs, Bobby Charles and Preston Foster. Opening track “Milkman” is the effort’s lone original.

Little Feat called upon old friend Bonnie Raitt to sing Muddy Waters’ “Long Distance Call” with Sam Clayton for Sam’s Place. Other guests include Michael “Bull” LoBue on harmonica, Marc Franklin on trumpet, and Art Edmaiston on saxophone.

Out today is “You’ll Be Mine,” the group’s version of the Willie Dixon-penned gem popularized by Howlin’ Wolf. Watch the official lyric video below:

Little Feat will hit the road supporting Tedeschi Trucks Band May 31 – June 9 before launching the Can’t Be Satisfied Tour on June 13. The excursion continues through July 5. Addition shows opening for the TTB follow in late August.

Sam’s Place Tracklist

1. Milkman
2. You’ll Be Mine
3. Long Distance Call
4. Don’t Go No Further
5. I Can’t Be Satisfied
6. Last Night
7. Why People Like That
8. Mellow Down Easy
9. Got My Mojo Working (Live)