Seatrain Willin'

[@craigstern6751]

I was fortunate to have worked the first Be In in Philadelphia at Belmont Plat. Seatrain was there and kicked ass. Young half naked hippie chicks, spectacular music ,incredible drugs, no hassles by the police . Not one brawl just a great day when there was still hope . Peace

[@oldsurferguy8141]

I was there. Saw a two man group called "Grandma"....bass player and drummer.......Had a great time

[@runtmc2jc]

My fave version of this song

[@MikeGeorge-q8p]

One of the most underappreciated bands in my time. I used to wonder why I always like this album, other than the fact that it's simply a great album, but then one day, which I had never done before, I looked at who it was produced by and it was none other than George Martin and that answered all the questions for me

[@sjackson6829]

I'm 71 yrs old and first heard Seatrain in '71. Dancing, pullin' on a huge number chockful of Lebanese Gold. Today, I picked up the CD and I'm pullin' on a huge number, but the dancing is a tad arthritic. Kewl.

[@jaccitera9604]

Rock on!

[@kenmiller7708]

Hash went will with this album. Still token 2.

[@MarkRaymondLuce]

Best version of I'm Willin' ever - I used to play this version in a band with a violinist many years ago, and we played 13 Questions and Orange Blossom Special. This entire album is a gem and still holds up. George Martin was the producer of this album and The Marblehead Messenger. Richard Greene is an incredible fiddle player, probably one of the best ever.

[@mikedag1176]

I agree I love the speed of tempo that sea train lends to the song!!

[@paulalosky6020]

NM

[@slicktheslickster]

Agree...Richard Greene (born November 9, 1942) is an American violinist who has been described as "one of the most innovative and influential fiddle players of all time".[

[@daviddellemonache2757]

Yep. Album’s a real treasure.

[@jeffdwyer1655]

Lowell gave us the song and these guys took it to the next level. Beautiful.

[@jrcfishon7362]

One of the most underrated bands in history. So much talent!

[@Dr.PETER-CANNABISSHIMANS-CANNA]

A😘😘😘😘😘😘😂🎉😂

[@ae2yosemitesamvp48]

This band was so great! Second deployment to VietNam in 1970 with VP-48 (US Navy). We knew every song on this album!

[@keepsmilin7193]

have been looking (unsuccessfully) for seatrain's "song of job" for years.

[@Longmiestr]

Richard Greene is one bad ass fiddle player.

[@sirqitous]

This is the best version I've heard of this song! The superb fiddling is just icing on the top. The NOT stopping the time for the 'weed whites and wine' line is one of the good ideas Seatrain brought to this one.

[@chesterabeagle]

Lots of great covers of this song, but this is my favorite. Great largely forgotten band.

[@RandyTheBee]

I heard this on radio, then searched for it FOR YEARS. I'd taken a friend to the airport in Albuquerque and had had a 5 hour drive home. I found this album in a record shop. It was either the album, or food on the way home. I went hungry.

[@montelatici]

This is the very best version of the song. I don't care what anyone says.

[@seanfairchild4498]

Fred Montelatici I agree %100 and tell anyone willing to listen. One of the best renditions of all time

[@thebog11]

Most artists play it pretty slow. I prefer this uptempo version.

[@kevinwingler3370]

hey man i hear ya

[@markmindel8922]

OH YEA DEFINITELY

[@rogerhwerner6997]

Absolutely!!!

[@mikedag1176]

Owned this LP IN.1970..love it still.

[@zachherbert7673]

My dad has this vinyl record and I listen to it now I'm 22 and it's amazing to me, this is the first song on it I think and there's a good bit of gospel on it. Love it all the way through!

[@jonbassett8023]

Unbelievable. Bought my first pound of weed around '69 before high school classes form a guy/friend named Dennis! He left in under a yellow baby bathtub in his backyard...then that evening turned me on to this album. We sat there & got STONED! LMAO!

[@fridamathilde7799]

My dad showed me this song yeasterday, and my 21 year old self love it! I’m so grateful that he’s been showing me different and good kinds of bands from the 60s and up, so far in life, it’s so much better than the music people make today

[@ndjones579]

I know the original is always the best...but this was the first version I heard...and will always be my favorite...❤

[@rjsegedin7116]

This is the original recorded version! It was on Seatrain's 1970 album - Little Feat's first recorded version was released in 1971.

[@raymondmassey1]

Loved it then-Love it now. Especially live at their concerts in Philadelphia. It was the f**kin' 70s.

[@frankpolito9811]

Ray Massey- I remember seeing them in the fall of 70' at Fairmount Park. I was a freshman from Villanova via Pittsburgh. Loved them always

[@Ice-9]

Yep, and earth day! Killer band!!

[@JoAnnHudson333]

@@Ice-9 I was there on Earth Day too! Here is a belated "Hello, pleased to meet ya!"

[@Ice-9]

Jo Ann Hudson It’s good to know there are some of us left to remember that day! Truly amazing! Btw, nice flute work!!

[@JoAnnHudson333]

@@Ice-9 Thank you so much regarding the flute! Yes, there are folks I have met here in Florida that, during general music discussions, we found out that we were all at that Earth Day concert. I think I recall Tower of Power performing there that day as well. 'Twas a great day in the sun ... I may even have some photos from that day, somewhere in my massive photo collection. I know I have a lot of funny ones from a festival at Mt. Pocono Raceway ... 1972 or so.

[@scoutdog66]

I heard this version of Willin 1st in my life before Lowell George and all the rest but being a musician and this is always the version running around in my head whenever I cover it in front of an audience or Jammin it up in a Kitchen someplace on the planet there is nothing like the 1st time a song grabs you 1st Love 1st everything, all the ones that come after will never be the 1st..............Yes I'm still "WILLIN" Rock on Brothers and Sisters.. Joshua

[@davidnyro19]

Same here! I think it's the best version, even though Little Feat is one of my all-time favorite bands. All hail Richard Greene! (And the whole band. Damn!)

[@jeffreysimmons1084]

Right there with you

[@Nattsky]

Very sad day when Seatrain Disbanded. This was a great song, and I saw them several times in the early 70's, inlcluding Harper College and Colgate University! Used to listen to them driving through Tucumcari all the time!

[@pricesg]

They put on an incredible 4 hour concert at Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY back in 1973. Miss them.

[@davecarvell]

I was fourteen years old in 1972 and I remember thinking "as great as music is today, I can't wait to see what it'll be like when I'm older." The joke was on me, I'm afraid. I've never heard this song, so it's new to me. Thanks for sharing this great music!

[@dianemccarty9044]

I'm listening to this group now with my fourteen-year-old grandson I listen to these guys when I was his age my favorite and you never hear much about him but these guys are awesome and we're loving them tonight

[@rickhowe8295]

I was fortunate to have seen Seatrain when they were new and playing small venues around Boston. When I say small, I mean high school gyms, etc. It's the closest I ever came to becoming a groupie. Had to have seen them at least 20 times. Knew them by name, and they knew us by name. A magical time with a really special, unique band. So much fun to see!

[@terryboren4186]

This entire album is so good thanks for the post. I still think this is my personal favorite.

[@mikedag1176]

I wore this album out in 1970

[@stefanschleps8758]

Another Marin County marvel. I ain't seen any of their work since early '71 been a long time now. Thanks for sharing!

[@sherylrb]

Thanks for the post...I've been looking for this song for YEARS!

[@rosoule]

I was lucky enough to catch Joplin in her Pearl days. Seatrain opened for her and i was an instant fan

[@revdocken]

that's how I met them

[@brianjoyce9040]

Chuck W brought me here, he is gone. This made him smile. I can smile now because of that fact. Thx man.

[@centxhank]

You had to see them live to really appreciate them, lived their live shows

[@trcorbin]

I saw them at a 3 day concert in 1970 at Umass Amherst when I was 15.

[@klemklimek9]

I also, I believe Boz Scaggs and Curtis Mayfield were also on the bill.

[@trcorbin]

@@klemklimek9 definitely Curtis Mayfield, not sure about Boz

[@jf4985]

saw these guys in Fairmount Park in Philly back in the day (1970) now in nashville a lifetime later but I still remember......

[@pubmasterj]

Saw Seatrain in 1972 @ Morehead State U in Kentucky. Remember it well.

[@000Cleaner]

I listen to this when I was young didn't understand util I was a Truckdriver ..I even now know the back way so I wouldn't get weighed lol

[@torgerjohannessen]

i heard it first time in 1974 and i still love it,now i`m 58.....

[@redsteahl4984]

thank you, Old Seatrain songs are the best.

[@tonymorra7492]

Great band, saw them in 1971 at Brown University. Nice memories!

[@klemklimek9]

I also. They were working their asses off around the northeast fit a couple years

[@maryqos9966]

Saw them in Alfred, NY & New Orleans. Great times.

[@jst42d]

Saw these guys play on the Belmont Plateau in Philly at a thing called "Be Ins" back in 1971...great songs.

[@guythefixer]

Saw them at UCONN 1972 'ish. God what a night.

[@phizekes7162]

Seatrain opened with this song when I saw them in Central Park,NYC< in the summer of1971. Ihad just graduated from highschool and turned18. Iwould go to central Park at least twice a week that summer, some free, some 5bucks. We were baked a lot that summer. It was a great time to be alive. Unfortunately, a lot of my friends were dying too. At least we were able to dream back then and we were in a period when so much great music was being made.

[@sheltiegirl01]

Saw these guys at a concert at CCSC (now Central Connecticut State University) in 1972. What a really great show. It was my first time seeing anyone with an electric fiddle. Had the original album "Seatrain" but it was mistakenly sold at a tag sale. Thanks for this post. It was great hearing them again!

[@steveclark4686]

What I remember from back then is an apteryx is an extinct hairy bird. Looking it up now it is a New Zealand nocturnal flightless bird with a long neck and stout legs, also called a kiwi. My t-shirt from the Apteryx in Hyannis in 1971 or 1972 has a round bird with a long beak, and it says, "the joint's in good hands". I saw an Amherst band called Clean Living there.

[@kcsteeler]

Wore my copy out in about 1970....brings back memories. Thanks for posting

[@TEScharf]

Discovered them at London's Albert Hall, fall of '71 ('70???) opening for Traffic. About 15 years ago had chances on separate occasions to meet Richard Greene & Peter Rowan. Both remembered that show because the next day's reviews read "Seatrain Stops Traffic!" . I agree, they did.

[@davenar123]

@aussite I was at that show!!!!! On the road from Ohio... pulled in and bought tickets...serendipity.... Superb!!!

[@namdacsemaj]

Saw them live in DC at back in the day...another great band that just disappeared...Glad I saw them live in a small venue... hope their well.. :))

[@j1mdown1ng]

Produced by Sir George Martin, They're in the movie "Festival Express". Richard Green has been a regular on Prairie Home Companion lately. Rowan is still active in Nashville.

[@timmelanson436]

Saw Seatrain live in 71 or 72 do this song I believe it's the best also.

[@waynedowling2664]

Little feets live version from Waiting for Columbus is my favorite version. This version sounds over produced to me. I have been a sea train fan since the early seventies. Most people have never heard of them.

[@designermite]

saw them at Montgomery College in Rockville Md 1970...they were great...

[@gcrowe620]

the seatrain album is available on cd. i still listen to it all the time. it really stands the test of time. it's on my ipod.

[@ilovebobthecat]

Local Franklin County Group...they were a lot of fun...all those years were a lot of fun.

[@surrealestate06]

Sorry, yeah, I know it's been years since you posted this but THANK YOU! I am the only one I know now who's ever heard of Seatrain. Great harmonies, great songs and one bad a** mutha of a fiddle player.

[@gertlettorp3137]

surrealestate06 : we are in 2020 but I remember Seatrain. But also came from Earth Opera who I loved. Btw I am 67😁

[@ducksinarowpatience]

Holy mackerel who remembers this!? 😳 Wow. I turned a few of you on to these cats today. Vinny Cardone check!

[@theroguetomato5362]

It only takes 2 words to explain why this is the best version of the song: George Martin. He was like the king Midas of producers. Almost every song he touched turned to gold.

[@saxmanmike1]

they opened for mothers of invention at fillmore east, mother's day 1970. what a show!

[@c.s.mcleod7383]

Richard Green and Buddy Cage interaction on NRPS Gypsy Cowboy must be listened, especially She's No Angel. They chase each other ethereally.

[@mikedag1176]

I miss buddy cage I love new riders of the Purple Sage

[@mikedag1176]

I miss that whole band and they're all gone just about. WERE ALL slipping into oblivion....

[@d.cooper2860]

They only played Cleveland once, opening for the Allman Brothers Band and missed the show because I didn't know Sea Train was on the bill. Saw the Blues Project every time they came to town.

[@margeryharper7837]

omg thanks so much for this. first heard seatrain in grammar school art lessons when i was 11! Ilkeston Grammar School. Whoop! Art teacher let me work the stereo bless wile he poured paint on any bad remarks i had on my daily report. That is support!.

[@denisetroxell3303]

Saw em in Albion Michigan when I was about 8. Stuck with me all these years. A++++

[@LarryNeie-lj7zc]

I have this original vinyl. Nice but hard to beat Little Feat. Just an observation from someone who was there when music was exploding into so many directions.

[@courtervideo]

An all-time favorite - brilliant

[@JoshuaHeller]

great tune! can't get it out of my head.

[@seabgb]

Hitchhiking from Montauk L.I. to upstate NY one day, Richard Greene pulls over and picks me up. I recognized him immediately. We talked the whole way back. He dropped me off at the GW bridge entrance ramp. Great guy, great fiddle player. I think he invented the fiddle-wawa pedal combo.

[@klemklimek9]

Great story. Your great good fortune. Jerry Goodman with Mahavishnu a contemporary

[@44027]

Give me some weed, whites and wine and I'd be willin' too.

[@Countrychiddler]

Saw the Train at a college in St Pete. Fla. They open for the Allman Bros. in "70

[@gR8FuLpOnTiAc]

awesome song!

[@darrellevans7202]

The theme song of my life!

[@guild71]

Saw them at 3 day music festival spring 1970 in providence rhode island. Awesome. Where are they now?

[@edantos9007]

I really liked Seatrain back in the 70s. I loved 13 Questions and Orange Blossom Special. Not so much Willin'. Hard to follow Lowell George and LF's sublime versions!

[@carlodangelo8348]

ah ! the days of my youth

[@seabgb3078]

They were my favorite band when I was going to Southhampton College in Eastern Long Island. On day I was hitchhiking from there into Jersey. Who should pick me up and give me a ride all the way to the GW bridge? Richard Green. Best hitch of my life.

[@JBCo2012]

Is that REALLY* true? Please supply more details. I'm pretty curious as I'm sure everybody else is too. Thanks!

[@seabgb]

Absolutely true. I can't remember for sure, but I think it was a beat up old Caddie or Buick. Whatever it was, it was a big boat of a car. I remember the color - cream colored. Might have been some streaks of rust in it. I sat in the passenger seat and we drove and talked the whole way about music. I can't remember what he was listening to on the cassette deck when I got in, or what we listened to driving to the city, but I think it might have been CSN&Y. He was heading into Jersey and I was heading North to Westchester County. He offered to drive me up and around to put me on the Deegan but I felt bad about taking him so far out of his way. I told him to drop me off the first chance he had to make a safe stop. Said stop ended up being on the bridge, just in front of one of the entrance ramps. If you're out there, Richard, and read this, thanks for the great ride. Btw, ever wonder how much those bridge entrance ramps move when heavy traffic is rolling across them. Wonder no more. They move a lot!

[@Tomo-sj8up]

Must have been in Southampton the same time!!!

[@seabgb3078]

Tom o Cool. Dorm or off-campus? First year was dorm. Second I was off-campus.

[@seabgb3078]

Dorm. First year. Hampton Bays duplex second and third.

[@shenickpop1694]

I lent my album to an old friend and never saw it again. :(

[@LuisEduardoGalindo]

Got here to hear what Sir George Matin was commitioned by capitol records to produce right after the Beatles, Rip Sir George Martin

[@kevindriscoll6809]

I happen to agree with Fred.

[@freddellavalle4316]

The very best version, I don't care who wrote it.

[@d.cooper2860]

Great version. Always loved the original Little Feat version, but this has more juice to it.

[@cybs1]

Oh - I think this is the cover, and the Little Feat version the original..? - since Lowell George who wrote the song was a member of little feat. On the other hand little feat did several versions - sure later versions could be influenced by Sea Train's. OMG - now I can spend the rest of the night comparing them;-)

[@marykrzywicki9113]

I always liked the song Scratch. Just something about it .

[@L67guy]

Lowell George wrote the song late 60s while in Frank Zappa and the Mothers , one of the stories goes Frank kicked Lowell out of the band over it for writing a song with drug references. Lowell always did it much more slowly and soulfully and slowed the tempo down and about killed the instruments during " weed , whites and wine " putting the emphasis on the drug reference. Go watch little feat with Lowell George doing it live on here . If you relate to this version I am happy for you music speaks to us individually my preference would be sung live by Lowell such as on the best damn live album ever IMO Waiting for Columbus. Keep listening to all music people old , new , different ....

[@jeffhunter5299]

Little feet was NOT the first band to record this hit .. get it straight Google!!

[@deepfreezevideo]

Have to wonder if these guys were an influence on what later became The New Grass Revival.

[@klemklimek9]

Good insight

[@bengreens]

These guys were amazing! Saw them live at tiny Brown's Hall in Mill Valley (late 60s, it must've been). Wish I still had their first album (Seatrain? Sea Train?). Unfortunately, this cover of "Willin'" lacks everything I love about Little Feat's various versions of it. Not just Lowell's playing and singing or Bill Payne's magnificent keyboards, but the whole tempo and feel. A superb country song becomes a crappy pop tune. Now I must find some of that excellent Seatrain music.

[@klemklimek9]

To each his own.

[@jalunadilana]

one of my favourates since at least 35 years *blush*

[@pamelaalsop7439]

Jutta Ammann

[@pamelaalsop7439]

pamela alsop saw them years ago....warm up band for Elton....loved 'em ! ran out bought the "LP"......

[@herbie2001tdi]

HA ha!! I love it!! No dislikes!!!!

[@fredp6583]

I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mrswimmyboy]

George Martin produced "Marblehead Messenger" but the band is playing their own arrangements...

[@GuiitarBilly]

Saw them second billed at the Fillmore West when this album came out (1970?)...they were a very strong live act. Peter Rowan singing, Richard Green on electric fiddle (never underestimate the power of electric violin:) - all the others equally strong....playing what i later found out were (Sir) George Martin arrangements. wow. Kinda like The Band... first heard "Willin" by Seatrain (live and then very soon on vinyl) -tho i think Little Feat's version is more fitting for the tune. still... wow.

[@sdushdiu]

Thanks for the post! But to be a bit coy, how can we get Seatrain's cover of L.George & Little Feat's Willin' but no Despair Tire by Seatrain on You Tube???? ;-)

[@davidlisowski5245]

This version came out literally months after Little Feat’s first version and you can tell the similarities.

[@phineas75]

I even rode the back roads so I wouldn't get weighed........

[@broncobrian2620]

everyone has there favorite version based of opinion ,life's history etc. For me no one can match LInda.

[@saturnx311]

I heard this one first and had the album, it went through me, my younger brother and then my baby bro, who I think has it still.... There's so many great songs on this on, you should ,listen to it. Anyway, it just seemed like Linda Ronstadt just copied Seatrain, so every time I heard her I always thought of these guys

[@ilovebobthecat]

Clean Living !!! Oh yeah, remember well...local franklins coij t

[@brucethornton7677]

listen to Lowell George

[@fatfreddy2715]

Why are they so good but really known?

[@klemklimek9]

BU, UMass, Brown, Clark.

[@royniblette9393]

nuf said!

[@ThePedalDance]

you're right

[@RodProwse1]

what happened to lloyd baskin?