Lowell George – Thanks I’ll Eat It Here (1979) (Warner Bros.)

I guess there are some LITTLE FEAT purists who aren't into this album… Their loss, really. I think this only solo album he made is his best, most cohesive album, packed with heartfelt (and heartbreaking) songs such as "20 Million Things To Do" "Find A River" a fine rendition of "Can't Stand The Rain" (which blows Tina Turner's version away) and the irresistible Mexican-flavored "Cheek To Cheek", with a beautiful, full-on mariachi band backing Lowell up on some of his most soaring vocal work. He had such a great voice and such an infectious sense of fun and humor, all of which comes through loud and clear on this record, with great song after great song. The only bogus tune on it is "Himmler's Ring," but even it sounds easy on the ears. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED… a little-known late-'70s gem that was recorded shortly before Lowell George's untimely death.

Please note that this is an old but fine rip (made with an old EAC version) coming from my archives on external hard disc, accompanied by only a front cover, back cover and a disc scan.

Personnel:

Although they do not play together on any single track, Richie Hayward and Bill Payne, both members of Little Feat play on the album. George was also able to call on the services of top-class session players and backing vocalists.

Lowell George - Guitar, Vocals and Production
Bonnie Raitt - Vocals
James Newton Howard - keyboards
Chuck Rainey - Bass
Denny Christianson - Keyboards
David Foster - Keyboards
Chilli Charles - Drums
Nicky Hopkins - Keyboards & Horn
Jim Price - Horn
Jim Keltner - Drums
Jim Gordon - Drums
Michael Baird - Drums & Bass
Dennis Belfield - Bass
Bobby Bruce - Violin, Guitar
Turner Stephen Bruton - Guitar & Horn
Dennis Christianson - Horn
Luis Damian - Guitar & keyboards
Gordon DeWitte - Keyboards & Piano
Maxine Dixon - Piano
Arthur Gerst - Piano
Jimmy Greenspoon - Guitar, Piano
Roberto Gutierrez - Vocals, Guitar, Drums
Richard Hayward - Drums
Jerry Jumonville - Saxophone & Guitar
Ron Koss - Guitar & Engineering
Darrell Leonard - Horn & Vocals
Maxayn Lewis - Vocals
David Paich - Drums
Jeff Porcaro - Drums, guitar
Dean Parks - Guitar & keyboards
Bruce Paulson - Keyboards
Bill Payne - Keyboards & Vocals
Herb Pedersen - Vocals
Joel Peskin - Vocals & Saxophone
John Phillips - Saxophone & Drums
Peggy Sandvig, Jim Self - Drums
Floyd Sneed - Drums & Vocals
J.D. Souther - Bass & Vocals
Paul Stallworth - Bass & guitar
Fred Tackett - Guitar & Vocals
Maxine Willard Waters - Vocals

Additional personnel
Brad Kanawyer, Michael Hollyfield - Design
Elizabeth George, James Howard, Bobby Marks - Photography
Donn Landee, Maxayn Lewis, Steve Madaio, George Massenburg - Engineering
Richard Hayward, Lee Herschberg - Digital Mastering

Tracklist:

All songs written by Lowell George except as indicated.

01. What do you want the Girl to do (Allen Toussaint)
02. Honest Man (Lowell George and Fred Tackett)
03. Two Trains (Lowell George)
04. Can't Stand the Rain (Ann Peebles)
05. Cheek to Cheek (Lowell George, Van Dyke Parks and Martin Kibbee)
06. Easy Money (Rickie Lee Jones)
07. Twenty Million Things (Lowell George and Jed Levy)
08. Find a River (Fred Tackett)
09. Himmler's Ring (Jimmy Webb)
10. Heartache (CD-bonus track with Valerie Carter) (Lowell George and Ivan Ulz)