Funky Little Sister will `groove' at Satellite Lounge Wednesday
It's my favorite band in the whole wide world -- Little Sister. They just released a new album Sept. 1 and are currently touring the U.S.
I have been going to their shows since I was but a tyke of 16, so I may be a little biased toward Little Sister, but I really feel the new album deserves praise. They have three albums to date, Freedom Child (their first), Free Love and Nickel Beer (a live album) and Little Sister (the new release).
Little Sister released CDs independently when they were playing Tuesday and Saturday nights at the Black Cat Lounge on Austin's 6th Street.
The third album has all new songs, most of which were conceived during touring for the 1994 release, Free Love and Nickel Beer . These songs represent the maturation process that Little Sister has gone through in the past four years.
Although the new album does not capture the intensity of the live shows, it does prove the high level of talent and insightful lyrics to be found in their live shows as well as the studio-produced album.
On Little Sister , the lyrics are somewhat darker than on previous albums. It concentrates on important societal issues. The band looks at our nation's problems, such as the current state of our government, the greenhouse effect and racial relations. A few songs do consider the male/female thing, but in an adult manner. There is a sense of integrity and honesty found in their work.
Bassist Darrell Phillips says that there "are more true `songs' on the new album" compared to the other two albums. This time in the studio they concentrated on "creating songs, not just fun jams, although jam sessions are still found in [their] live shows."
As a band, each member compliments the others in an extraordinary way. Darrell Phillips plays the funkiest bass lines imaginable, while Sean Phillips pounds the drums, creating a funkified R&B sound. Pair those two with Wayne Sutton's Santana-like guitar wails and Patrice Pike's sultry vocals, and you get an innovative sound that draws from the archives of Sly, P-Funk and Maceo Parker. These guys are amazingly tight and actually play off each other -- a difficult feat even for bands that have been together forever.
Although it takes all four members to make Little Sister, Patrice Pike definitely stands out with her soulful vocals. She can create such a catharsis with her voice, it is unbelievable. When you see her, it is really hard to imagine such a full, intense voice coming out of such a petite woman. Even on the album, her vocals come through clear and live .
All the songs on the album rock pretty fiercely, and all are original material. It is not often that you can say a band has not simply reworked their earlier material for a new album. Little Sister has only new and original music and lyrics. The best track on the CD, "Feel Better," is a coy mix of sexy guitar riffs, fast pounding drums, husky bassline and throaty vocals. Another great track, "Nobody's Home," has great vocal harmonies and a flowing guitar melody coursing through it. Only "Green House" hints at their earlier songs with its screaming guitar and up-front bassline. In all tracks on the album, the intense energy of Little Sister pervades and draws the listener in.
And of course their live shows simply rock! You simply cannot help but groove once you hear their mix of funk, blues and rock. Each member of the band also has an amazing stage presence that makes their live show just that -- a show. They groove out on stage and encourage audiences to "get the funk" as well. At most shows, people dance and sway to the rhythms and have a really good time.
If you like seeing live shows, this is a band you cannot miss. They are playing Oct. 11 at the Satellite Lounge, which is a great place to see bands. It is a smaller sized club that gives you an intimate feeling of contact with the performers. Watching Little Sister there should be almost as good as seeing them at the Black Cat Lounge in Austin.
This item appeared in the Arts & Entertainment section of the October 6, 1995 issue.
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