Ultrasonic Studios were the source of many a FM broadcast back in the day, with rockers, folkies and bluesmen alike dropping in perform “in-session” sets before small invited audiences. (Aired live over Garden City’s WLIR-FM, some of those sets went on to attain legendary status; the appearances by Big Star and Gram Parsons, recorded live to two-track, even became officially-released albums.) Early in her career Bonnie Raitt popped in with her regular bassist Freebo, and who should also swing by but John Hammond and Little Feat’s Lowell George. Hammond plays harp on tracks 6 and 8, while George contributes slide guitar on tracks 4 thru 8, additionally taking the lead vocal on 8 (hardly a surprise, since he wrote it). It’s a Raitt & Friends gem through and through and a wonderful example of a young, inspired Raitt – performing mostly covers -- still finding her way. Worth noting is that Little Feat traders have always rated the broadcast highly too. Unless I miss my guess it was also the source for at least two vinyl bootlegs in the past.
Sound quality is very good, with only a moderate amount of hiss – not bad for a tape this old. The bonus track features better sound but there is no information regarding its source. Cat’s Meow packaged the disc in a thin cardboard slipcase (poly inner sleeve + poly outer sleeve with modest but nice-looking slick/laminate artwork, including a photo on the rear of Raitt and the musicians plus radio personnel. – OSWALD
