Fred Tackett, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist of legendary rock band Little Feat, has had a career full of iconic collaborations. From recording with Bob Dylan and Joan Baez to working with Cher and Paul Anka, Tackett has seen it all. But one session in particular still stands out for its sheer creative unpredictability — recording Swordfishtrombones with the eccentric and visionary Tom Waits.
“That was very, very cool because Tom was very experimental,” Tackett shared in a new Guitar World interview. “Some of the stuff was really kind of angular, with odd guitar licks that I’d play over and over and over throughout the whole song. He actually had that written out.”
While Tackett admits he occasionally changed a note here and there, the structure remained rigid — until Waits introduced his wild, free-thinking side. “But other times, Tom would say, ‘Play your guitar with a car key.’ It was very experimental, which was kind of fun. He was always coming up with ideas. It was very inspiring.”
In contrast, not all of Tackett’s studio experiences were quite so unconventional. Recalling his work with Bob Seger, Tackett described the session for Like a Rock as being far more straightforward and structured.
“Bob pretty much had definite ideas of what he wanted you to play,” he explained. “It was pretty simple, and he was into playing, you know, pop music. He was definitely more non-experimental. Each person basically played rhythm through and chugged through it.”
The duality between highly experimental artists like Tom Waits and more traditional musicians like Bob Seger showcases the wide range of musical environments Tackett has navigated. And as a testament to Little Feat’s enduring legacy, modern guitar hero Joe Bonamassa recently paid tribute to the band’s co-founder, Lowell George, praising his “fantastic slide style.”
Related Topics
- Frank Zappa’s “Ouija Board” Solos: The Instinct-Driven Genius Behind His Iconic Guitar Sound
- Kirk Hammett Reflects on Guitar Legacy, Connection with John Frusciante
- Adelaide Guitar Festival 2025 Kicks Off with Zeppelin Tribute and Classical Masterpieces
