Little Feat, Emmylou Harris and Bonnie Raitt – Dixie Chicken
Little Feat, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt & Jesse Winchester – Dixie Chicken – Live at The Midnight Special, 1977.
No meat dresses, no backup dancers, no light show, just a bunch of hugely talented musicians making awesome music!
From the very first chords, the stage is set for a musical journey that seamlessly blends the genres of rock, country, and blues into a harmonious tapestry of sound. Little Feat, known for their genre-defying style, lays down the foundation with their signature grooves and infectious rhythm. The interplay of Lowell George’s mesmerizing slide guitar and Bill Payne’s keyboard prowess creates a sonic landscape that captivates the audience from the first note.
Emmylou Harris, with her angelic voice and radiant stage presence, effortlessly weaves her vocals into the mix, adding a touch of celestial beauty to the gritty, down-to-earth vibe of “Dixie Chicken.” Her collaboration with Little Feat is a masterclass in musical synergy, each artist complementing the other with a chemistry that can only be described as magical.
As Bonnie Raitt steps into the spotlight, her soulful blues-infused guitar licks inject a raw energy that elevates the performance to new heights. The camaraderie between the musicians is palpable, and it’s evident that they are not just sharing a stage but creating a musical conversation that resonates with authenticity.
Jesse Winchester’s presence adds yet another layer of depth to the performance, his soulful voice and poetic lyrics enhancing the storytelling aspect of “Dixie Chicken.” The song becomes a journey through the heart of America, a celebration of its diverse musical roots.
The live setting of The Midnight Special provides an intimate backdrop for this musical spectacle, allowing the artists to connect with the audience on a personal level. The energy of the crowd is infectious, reflecting the universal appeal of this timeless collaboration.
Lyrics:
I’ve seen the bright lights of Memphis
And the Commodore Hotel
And underneath a street lamp, I met a Southern belle
Well, she took me to the river, where she cast her spell
And in that southern moonlight, she sang a song so well
If you’ll be my Dixie chicken, I’ll be your Tenessee lamb
And we can walk together down in Dixieland
Down in Dixieland
Well, we made all the hot spots, my money flowed like wine
Then that low down southern whiskey began to fog my mind
And I don’t remember church bells or the money I put down
On the white picket fence and boardwalk of the house at the edge of town
Oh, but boy, do I remember the strain of her refrain
The nights we spent together, and the way she called my name
If you’ll be my Dixie chicken, I’ll be your Tenessee lamb
And we can walk together down in Dixieland
Down in Dixieland
Well, it’s been a year since she ran away
Yes, that guitar player sure could play
She always liked to sing along, she’s always handy with a song
Then one night in the lobby, yeah, of the Commodore Hotel
I chanced to meet a bartender who said he knew her well
And as he handed me a drink, he began to hum a song
And all the boys there, at the bar, began to sing along
If you’ll be my Dixie chicken, I’ll be your Tenessee lamb
And we can walk together down in Dixieland
Down in Dixieland
Songwriters: Kibbee Martin / Lowell George
