"Shake Me Up" is the ninth studio album by American rock band Little Feat. Released in 1991, it signaled a kind of return to form following a brief hiatus and the death of band founder Lowell George. The album was produced by George Massenburg featuring members Bill Payne, Paul Barrere, Sam Clayton, Kenny Gradney, Richie Hayward, and Fred Tackett. This was the band's album that continued to pursue a more commercial, slicker sound and includes significant elements of pop music.
'Shake Me Up' doesn't not stray too far away from band's renown fusion of jazz, funk, boogie, and southern rock influences. Songs such as “Spider’s Blues”, “Shake Me Up”, and “Things Happen” have an evident bluesy tone, thus reflecting Little Feat's rich musical palette. However, the album also incorporates more pop-infused tracks such as "Lovely Sunday", which is marked by upbeat harmonies. Despite varying opinions on the turn to pop music, 'Shake Me Up' undeniably showcased the band's exceptional musicianship and their unbounded scope for creativity. The band had been noted for their ability to weave intricate musical techniques with compelling storytelling to develop engaging rock sagas, and this album encapsulated that strength.
This album was crucial in re-establishing Little Feat as a notable act in the American Rock scene. It provided a platform to demonstrate that they could thrive and produce engaging music even in the wake of their monumental loss. Ensuing the release, Little Feat continued to produce music, tour, and solidify their legacy within the rock music panorama.
