DOCLANDS CLOSING NIGHT

Discerning music fans and fellow musicians loved Little Feat, but the band always hovered just out of frame, often overlooked in the pantheon of great rock and roll acts. Filmmaker Jesse Lauter aims to change all that with this insightful documentary that celebrates the group and how its unique blend of blues, country, and New Orleans rhythms significantly influenced rock music. Jeff Bridges narrates a film replete with never-before-seen footage and the observations of iconic fans and friends, including Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, and Elvis Costello, as well as members of The Doobie Brothers, Phish, and The Grateful Dead. The film takes a dual approach to its subject, covering Little Feat’s history, starting with its founding by singer/guitarist Lowell George and keyboardist Bill Payne, while also taking the measure of the late ‘60s/early ‘70s California music scene. Until now, Little Feat has been a great untold story. This thrilling film rectifies that as it at last grants the band a proper showcase. —Kelly Clement