The Meters | ||
 | Album: 1 of 24 Title: The Meters Released: 1969 Tracks: 12 Duration: 36:30 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Cissy Strut (03:05) 2 Here Comes the Meter Man (02:58) 3 Cardova (04:35) 4 Live Wire (02:38) 5 Art (02:35) 6 Sophisticated Cissy (02:56) 7 Ease Back (03:14) 8 6V6 LA (02:25) 9 Sehorns Farm (02:31) 10 Ann (02:48) 11 Stormy (03:40) 12 Simple Song (03:01) |
| The Meters : Allmusic album Review : Initially created to be the house band for Allen Toussaint and Marshall Sehorns Sansu Enterprises, the Meters started out backing such famous names as Lee Dorsey and Betty Harris. Led by organist Art Neville, the quartet was rounded out by jazz-influenced guitarist Leo Nocentelli, along with the bubbling rhythm section of bassist George Porter, Jr. and drummer Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste. Booker T. & the M.G.s may have been the most obvious influence, but the Meters differentiated themselves by injecting a healthy dose of New Orleans funk into their sound. Led by Nevilles fat-sounding organ, the Meters quickly scored hits with the sinewy "Cissy Strut" and the more languid "Sophisticated Cissy." Simplicity is the hallmark of this impressive debut and nuance is paramount, whether its Nocentellis lazy riffs echoing throughout "Ease Back" or Modeliste unobtrusively riding his hi-hat along the perimeter of the Memphis-fried "6V6 La." Not unlike the M.G.s, the Meters were masters of interpretation -- the band here moves easily from a chugging reading of Sly Stones "Sing a Simple Song," to kicking back on a smoky version of the Classics IVs "Stormy." | ||
 | Album: 2 of 24 Title: Look-Ka Py Py Released: 1970-01 Tracks: 14 Duration: 37:20 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Look-Ka Py Py (03:16) 2 Rigor Mortis (02:38) 3 Pungee (03:00) 4 Thinking (01:43) 5 This Is My Last Affair (02:54) 6 Funky Miracle (02:26) 7 Yeah You’re Right (02:46) 8 Little Old Money Maker (02:41) 9 Oh, Calcutta! (02:45) 10 The Mob (02:49) 11 9 Til 5 (02:51) 12 Dry Spell (02:33) 13 Grass (02:42) 14 Borro (02:11) |
| Look-Ka Py Py : Allmusic album Review : The second album by Art Nevilles band continues the sound that made them New Orleans legends. In addition to the title track, theres plenty of funk aboard in songs like like "Pungee," "9 Til 5," "Rigor Mortis," "Funky Miracle," and "Yeah, Youre Right." [Some reissues also feature two previously unreleased bonus tracks, "Grass" and "Borro."] | ||
 | Album: 3 of 24 Title: Struttin Released: 1970-06 Tracks: 14 Duration: 40:14 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Chicken Strut (03:13) 2 Liver Splash (02:41) 3 Wichita Lineman (02:59) 4 Joog (02:13) 5 Go for Yourself (03:11) 6 Same Old Thing (02:48) 7 Handclapping Song (02:55) 8 Darling Darling Darling (02:52) 9 Tippi-Toes (02:27) 10 Britches (02:51) 11 Hey! Last Minute (02:59) 12 Ride Your Pony (03:18) 13 Funky Meters Soul (02:57) 14 Meter Strut (02:47) |
| Struttin' : Allmusic album Review : As the third full-length album released by the Meters, Struttin may not appear to be drastically different than its predecessors, at least not on the surface. After all, the title of the lead single "Chicken Strut" intentionally recalls their previous biggest "Cissy Strut," and it has the same basic Meters groove. And if the essential sound remains unchanged, thats because that organic, earthy funk is the Meters signature. Other groups have tried to replicate it, but nobody ever played it better. Because of that, Struttin is an enjoyable record, even if it never quite feels like anything more focused than a series of jam sessions; after all, thats what it was. This time around, however, the Meters did make a conscious decision to emphasize vocals, and not just with shout-alongs on the chorus ("Chicken Strut," "Same Old Thing"), but with Art Nevilles leads on covers of Ty Hunters soulful uptown shuffle "Darling, Darling, Darling," Jimmy Webbs groovy ballad "Wichita Lineman," and Lee Dorseys "Ride Your Pony" (the Meters provided support on the original recording). This gives the album a bit more diversity than its predecessors, which is welcome, even for devotees of the groups admittedly addictive sound. But the real difference is how the band seems willing to expand their signature sound. "Hand Clapping Song" is a spare, syncopated breakdown without an obvious through-line, while "Joog" turns the groups groove inside out. These variations are entertaining -- as entertaining as the vocals -- and the songs that are solidly in the Meters tradition are also fun. The results are pretty terrific, though given the fact that Struttin never really pulls itself into a coherent album, it may be the kind of first-rate record only aficionados of the band will need to seek out. | ||
 | Album: 4 of 24 Title: Cabbage Alley Released: 1972 Tracks: 10 Duration: 40:14 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Youve Got to Change (Youve Got to Reform) (05:15) 2 Stay Away (05:22) 3 Birds (04:23) 4 The Flower Song (04:51) 5 Soul Island (03:10) 6 Do the Dirt (02:36) 7 Smiling (03:09) 8 Lonesone & Unwanted People (04:39) 9 Gettin Funkier All the Time (03:19) 10 Cabbage Alley (03:30) |
| Cabbage Alley : Allmusic album Review : Leaving Josie for Reprise did change the Meters, even if the change wasnt necessarily for the better. They became slicker, jammier, and, in the conventional sense, funkier, even if the grit seemed to start to dissipate. So, even if this is just the Meters fourth album, Cabbage Alley does mark a sea-change in their outlook, bringing them fully into the 70s and finding them sacrificing feel for texture, even if thats a very subtle transition. Part of the problem is that the group doesnt really have any good songs to hang their sounds onto, but, if youre looking just for sounds and groove, Cabbage Alley doesnt disappoint. The Meters overall feel might have gotten a little softer than necessary, but they still are a remarkably sympathetic, supple group and its a pleasure to hear them play. Still, theres not much here outside of hearing them play, and while thats pretty great, its hard not to wish that there were songs, even when they delve into smooth soul like "Birds" or when the group simply jams on mid-tempo grooves, that stood out from the pack. [Some reissues added two bonus tracks -- both parts of "Chug Chug Chug-A-Lug (Push and Shove)."] | ||
 | Album: 5 of 24 Title: Rejuvenation Released: 1974-07-03 Tracks: 11 Duration: 50:51 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 People Say (05:18) 2 Love Is for Me (03:55) 3 Just Kissed My Baby (04:43) 4 Whatcha Say (03:29) 5 Jungle Man (03:26) 6 Hey Pocky A-Way (04:06) 7 It Aint No Use (11:51) 8 Loving You Is on My Mind (03:19) 9 Africa (04:01) 10 People Say (single version) (03:11) 11 Hey Pocky A-Way (single version) (03:27) |
| Rejuvenation : Allmusic album Review : The title is a tip-off, as is the garish, blaxploitation-chic photo on the cover -- Rejuvenation, the Meters second album for Reprise, should be seen as a bit of a new beginning for the quintessential New Orleans funk group. Its not a clean beginning, since they were pointing in this direction on Cabbage Alley, but this is where their glistening, clear production, crisp performances, rock influences, and hard-edged funk coalesce into a sound distinct from their Josie recordings -- not better, just different. As such, this is the definitive Reprise album from the Meters, not just because the material is stronger (which admittedly is true), but because the performances are continually inspired and the production is professional but hits at a gut level, resulting in a first-class funk album. [Sundazeds 2000 reissue contains the single versions of "People Say" and "Hey Pocky-A-Way" as bonus tracks.] | ||
 | Album: 6 of 24 Title: Fire on the Bayou Released: 1975 Tracks: 12 Duration: 49:21 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Out in the Country (03:38) 2 Fire on the Bayou (04:07) 3 Love Slip Upon Ya (04:59) 4 Talkin Bout New Orleans (03:38) 5 They All Askd for You (04:12) 6 Can You Do Without? (03:52) 7 Liar (05:12) 8 Youre a Friend of Mine (04:11) 9 Middle of the Road (07:57) 10 Running Fast (01:27) 11 Mardi Gras Mambo (02:39) 12 Running Fast (long version) (03:26) |
| Fire on the Bayou : Allmusic album Review : The Meters third album for Reprise, Fire on the Bayou, is their best record for the label for a variety of reasons, not least of which is the high quality of material throughout the record and a focus from the band that keeps the music simmering, even if it never quite reaches a boil. Thats not a bad thing, because the music IS simmering, always hot and enticing, never lukewarm or too cool. Theres not anything that comes out and grabs your throat, the way that "Hey Pocky Way" does, but there never seems to be a concession to mainstream funk, the way Cabbage Alley or Rejuvenation seemed to be. This just keeps things rolling, nice and smooth. Theres not anything that separates itself from its partners -- something thats unfortunately true of all of the Reprise albums -- but the overall feel is better than the Meters other Reprise albums, since it has more grit and presence than its compatriots. [Sundazeds 2000 reissue contains one bonus track, a "long version" of "Running Fast."] | ||
 | Album: 7 of 24 Title: Trick Bag Released: 1976 Tracks: 11 Duration: 42:11 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Disco Is the Thing Today (04:16) 2 Find Yourself (04:12) 3 All These Things (03:32) 4 I Want to Be Loved by You (05:24) 5 Suite for 20 G (04:32) 6 (Doodle Loop) The World Is a Little Bit Under the Weather (03:52) 7 Trick Bag (03:21) 8 Mister Moon (04:02) 9 Chug-A-Lug (03:22) 10 Hang em High (02:17) 11 Honky Tonk Women (03:16) |
| Trick Bag : Allmusic album Review : This is, undeniably, where everything started to go pear-shaped for the Meters. Take the opening track, "Disco Is the Thing Today," a four-on-the-floor pumper that sounds nothing like the Meters and everything like BT Express. For the rest of the record the Meters and producer Allen Toussaint dont necessarily prove that sentiment true, but they do strive to sound as mainstream as possible, turning out slick ballads, frothy dance numbers, and pop-funk without spine. There are a couple of exceptions to the rule -- "Mister Moon" is the one time when the glossy formula works and turns sultry, "(Doodle Loop) The World Is a Little Bit Under the Weather" nearly grooves, and their take on "Honky Tonk Women" has some real grit -- but this is record is pretty much a dead end, and a pretty dispiriting one at that, best evidenced by the crushing disappointment thats their flat reading of Earl Kings classic title track. | ||
 | Album: 8 of 24 Title: New Directions Released: 1977 Tracks: 10 Duration: 49:32 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 No More Okey Doke (04:20) 2 I’m Gone (04:29) 3 Be My Lady (06:27) 4 My Name Up in Lights (05:23) 5 Funkify Your Life (05:41) 6 Stop That Train (04:50) 7 We Got the Kind of Love (05:20) 8 Give It What You Can (04:35) 9 Be My Lady (single version) (03:28) 10 All I Do Every Day (04:55) |
| New Directions : Allmusic album Review : The title of the Meters final album is hopeful, and New Directions does indeed represent if not a new direction, at least a shift from the disco dead end of Trick Bag. From the second "No More Okey Doke" kicks off the record, its clear that the Meters are gritty again, kicking out some really funky grooves -- maybe not as dirty as their Josie recordings, maybe a little cleaned up, but still pretty funky. The slower numbers betray their era, but in a pleasing way, something thats also true of generic numbers like "My Name Up in Lights," which may have too much talk-box guitar, but still grooves effectively. That may not be a new direction, per se, but it is a welcome change-up after the dud Trick Bag. It wasnt enough to save the Meters and its not really a lost treasure, but its a far more dignified way to bow out. | ||
 | Album: 9 of 24 Title: Good Old Funky Music Released: 1979 Tracks: 11 Duration: 39:06 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Good Old Funky Music (04:48) 2 Rock n Roll Medley (05:08) 3 Riddle Song (04:17) 4 He Bite Me (02:27) 5 Pickin’ and a Grinnin’ (03:19) 6 Jambalaya (On the Bayou) (02:46) 7 What More Can I Do (02:50) 8 Im Gonna Put Some Hurt on You (03:21) 9 Heartache (03:40) 10 Keep on Marching (03:25) 11 Voodoo (03:01) |
| Good Old Funky Music : Allmusic album Review : There are some good moments on this disc, culled from unissued material from the Meterss Josie heyday in the late 60s and early 70s, but theres too much filler. | ||
 | Album: 10 of 24 Title: Funky Miracle Released: 1991 Tracks: 38 Duration: 1:46:59 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Look-Ka Py Py (03:14) 2 9 Till 5 (02:47) 3 Cissy Strut (03:05) 4 I Need More Time (03:13) 5 Pungee (03:00) 6 Ease Back (03:11) 7 Cardova (04:29) 8 Yeah You’re Right (02:46) 9 Tippi-Toes (02:27) 10 Chicken Strut (02:34) 11 Sassy Lady (02:39) 12 Little Old Money Maker (02:41) 13 Rigor Mortis (02:31) 14 Live Wire (02:38) 15 A Message From the Meters (02:42) 16 Hey! Last Minute (02:59) 17 This Is My Last Affair (02:54) 18 Darling Darling Darling (02:52) 19 Go for Yourself (03:06) 1 Sophisticated Cissy (02:53) 2 Here Comes the Meterman (02:50) 3 The Mob (02:46) 4 Funky Miracle (02:26) 5 Ride Your Pony (03:18) 6 Art (02:30) 7 Dry Spell (02:27) 8 Thinking (01:43) 9 Handclapping Song (02:55) 10 Britches (02:48) 11 Liver Splash (02:38) 12 Joog (02:13) 13 Same Old Thing (02:48) 14 6V6 LA (02:22) 15 Sehorns Farm (02:26) 16 Sing a Simple Song (02:54) 17 Stormy (03:33) 18 Ann (02:43) 19 Oh, Calcutta! (02:44) |
 | Album: 11 of 24 Title: The Original Funkmasters Released: 1992 Tracks: 16 Duration: 46:19 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Sophisticated Cissy (02:53) 2 Funky Miracle (02:26) 3 Look-Ka Py Py (03:16) 4 9 Till 5 (02:47) 5 Ease Back (03:10) 6 Ride Your Pony (03:18) 7 Stormy (03:33) 8 Dry Spell (02:27) 9 Cissy Strut (03:04) 10 Tippi-Toes (02:27) 11 Chicken Strut (02:34) 12 I Need More Time (03:13) 13 Live Wire (02:38) 14 Handclapping Song (02:55) 15 A Message From the Meters (02:42) 16 Here Comes the Meterman (02:50) |
| The Original Funkmasters : Allmusic album Review : An absolutely essential CD to own if you want the answer to the burning question "Where does funk come from?" In the very late 60s and early 70s, the mighty quartet of Art Neville (keyboards), Leo Nocentelli (guitar), George Porter, Jr. (bass), and Joseph "Zigaboo" Modiste (drums) delivered a groovy gumbo of funky soul that kept the New Orleans club scene so famous. Most of the tracks here were recorded by the Meters over a three-year period, when both the R&B; and pop charts made room for them in their rosters (due to their early 1969 hit, "Sophisticated Cissy"). This 1992 compilation from Instant Records showcases the live energy of the band, with songs like "Funky Miracle" and "Live Wire," plus the late-night chill-out of "Ease Back" and the lets-close-up-for-the-night "Stormy," a beautiful and melancholy bit of R&B; to catch your breath before the funkmasters take it away from you again. These songs are a little older and limited in recording technology (take note of the occasional extreme stereo separation), but in some ways this vintage sound makes The Original Funkmasters one of the best recordings to own, compared to the cleaner and flatter Neville Brothers albums that absorbed Meters members and continued making records for the next two decades. Fans of the more recent acid jazz movement or appreciators of hip-hop take note: This is the music that your favorite acts sample and imitate. This is tight, organic musicianship performed by actual musicians (not programmers or DJs), and the best that money can buy. So by all means do. | ||
 | Album: 12 of 24 Title: The Meters Jam Released: 1992-03-01 Tracks: 10 Duration: 37:29 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Stretch Your Rubber Band (02:40) 2 Come Together (03:10) 3 People Get Ready (03:42) 4 Big Chief (02:58) 5 Groovy Lady (02:49) 6 Its Too Late (02:41) 7 Bo Diddley (02:29) 8 All I Do Every Day (04:29) 9 Trip (05:56) 10 Meters Jam (06:33) |
| The Meters Jam : Allmusic album Review : The 10 songs on this CD are a mixed bag, mainly because the Meters insisted on singing and simply werent great vocalists. Their leads and harmonies on "Come Together" and "Bo Diddley," among others, were exuberant, but didnt add much to the proceedings. On the other hand, there havent been many groups in any style that clicked any more smoothly and soulfully. Their inspired, funky playing overshadows the vocals in most cases. | ||
 | Album: 13 of 24 Title: Uptown Rulers!: The Meters Live on the Queen Mary Released: 1992-08-04 Tracks: 11 Duration: 59:25 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Gary Owens Introduces the Band (00:38) 2 Fire on the Bayou (07:09) 3 Africa (04:32) 4 It Aint No Use (10:34) 5 Make It With You (06:32) 6 Medley: Cissy Strut / Cardova / Its Your Thing / Love the One Youre With (10:42) 7 Art Neville Addresses the Audience (01:38) 8 Medley: Rocking Pneumonia / Something You Got / I Know / Everybody Loves a Lover (06:10) 9 Liar (04:57) 10 Mardi Gras Mambo (02:48) 11 Encore: Hey Pocky A-Way (03:41) |
| Uptown Rulers!: The Meters Live on the Queen Mary : Allmusic album Review : A wonderful live concert from 1975, it showcases the powers of these New Orleans R&B; legends. | ||
 | Album: 14 of 24 Title: Fundamentally Funky Released: 1994 Tracks: 16 Duration: 47:13 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Sehorns Farm (02:28) 2 Sing a Simple Song (02:54) 3 6V6 LA (02:23) 4 Good Old Funky Music (04:48) 5 Im Gonna Put Some Hurt on You (03:21) 6 Keep on Marching (03:25) 7 Pungee (02:58) 8 Yeah You’re Right (02:46) 9 Darling Darling Darling (02:52) 10 He Bite Me (02:27) 11 What More Can I Do (02:50) 12 Heartache (03:40) 13 Art (02:31) 14 Jooq (02:12) 15 Same Old Thing (02:48) 16 Jambalaya (On the Bayou) (02:46) |
 | Album: 15 of 24 Title: Crescent City Groove Merchants Released: 1994 Tracks: 14 Duration: 52:46 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Rock n Roll (medley) (05:09) 2 Riddle Song (04:17) 3 Big Chief (03:02) 4 Come Together (03:10) 5 Tell Me Whats on Your Mind (02:09) 6 Gossip (02:36) 7 All I Do Every Day (05:07) 8 Trip (05:59) 9 Meters Jam (06:42) 10 Bo Diddley (02:29) 11 Its Too Late (02:45) 12 People Get Ready (03:42) 13 Stretch Your Rubber Band (02:43) 14 Groovy Lady (02:50) |
| Crescent City Groove Merchants : Allmusic album Review : This Charly collection focuses on lesser-known Meters material compiled form their 70s records. That said, it doesnt mean the performances are substandard by any stretch of the imagination. Quite the opposite. There are up-tempo cuts that are more familiar, such as "Big Chief," done deep funk style, as well as "The Meters Jam," and the Fats Domino medley that opens the set. Some of the more polished soul material here works beautifully as well -- check George Porters "Trip," and the soul classic "Its Too Late" (not the Carole King song). There is also the Meters signature version of John Lennon and Paul McCartneys "Come Together," a song that lends itself to heavy New Orleans funk if ever there was one. | ||
 | Album: 16 of 24 Title: Funkify Your Life: The Meters Anthology Released: 1995-02-28 Tracks: 43 Duration: 2:22:45 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Cissy Strut (03:05) 2 Here Comes the Meterman (02:50) 3 Live Wire (02:38) 4 Sophisticated Cissy (02:53) 5 Ease Back (03:11) 6 Stormy (03:33) 7 Look-Ka Py Py (03:16) 8 Pungee (03:00) 9 Thinking (01:43) 10 This Is My Last Affair (02:54) 11 Funky Miracle (02:26) 12 Yeah You’re Right (02:46) 13 Little Old Money Maker (02:41) 14 Dry Spell (02:27) 15 Chicken Strut (02:45) 16 Same Old Thing (02:48) 17 Darling Darling Darling (02:52) 18 Tippi-Toes (02:27) 19 Ride Your Pony (03:18) 20 A Message From the Meters (02:42) 21 Zony Mash (03:01) 22 Stretch Your Rubber Band (02:44) 23 Groovy Lady (02:46) 24 (The World Is a Little Bit Under the Weather) Doodle-Oop (02:37) 25 I Need More Time (03:13) 26 Good Old Funky Music (02:20) 1 Stay Away (05:22) 2 Soul Island (03:10) 3 Do the Dirt (02:36) 4 Cabbage Alley (03:30) 5 People Say (05:18) 6 Hey Pocky A-Way (04:06) 7 Africa (04:01) 8 Fire on the Bayou (04:07) 9 Talkin Bout New Orleans (03:38) 10 They All Askd for You (04:12) 11 Running Fast (single version) (03:22) 12 (Doodle Loop) The World Is a Little Bit Under the Weather (03:52) 13 Trick Bag (03:19) 14 Hang em High (02:17) 15 Be My Lady (06:27) 16 Funkify Your Life (05:41) 17 Give It What You Can (04:35) |
| Funkify Your Life: The Meters Anthology : Allmusic album Review : Rhinos Funkify Your Life: The Meters Anthology was the first truly comprehensive and widely available CD retrospective of the groundbreaking New Orleans funk bands work. These two chronologically arranged discs run down virtually every important track the band recorded under its own name, finally allowing a more general audience to hear why the Meters had earned such a stellar reputation among die-hard funk collectors and sample-minded hip-hoppers. Disc one, subtitled "The Josie Years," traces the groups 1969-1971 beginnings as a Booker T. & the MGs-like outfit, cutting brief instrumentals with a similar guitar/organ/bass/drums lineup. There were important differences, though; the Meters arrangements usually carried the melody in single-note guitar lines, which gave them a distinctive calling card, and their rhythms were notably funkier. In fact, drummer Joseph "Ziggy" Modeliste pretty much establishes himself as a monster groove machine right from the beginning; his is a dominating rhythmic presence. This is the lean, earthy Meters sound most often imitated by latter-day funk revivalists like the Soul Fire label. Group vocals and wah-wah guitars start to pop up over the second half of the disc, setting the stage for their more ambitious major-label sound, which is documented on the second disc ("The Reprise/Warner Bros. Years"). Nearly all of these tracks are vocal numbers, "songs" in the more traditional sense, but the group also opens its sound up, allowing the members to show off their individual chops as soloists. Theres more flash in this music, including plenty of nimble-fingered unison passages demonstrating that the band can be as tight as they are loose. Its more proof that the Meters were the most telepathic funk ensemble this side of the J.B.s. Those with a casual interest can safely content themselves with the fine single-disc Very Best of the Meters, but for devoted funk fans, Funkify Your Life should be considered essential listening. | ||
 | Album: 17 of 24 Title: The Very Best of the Meters Released: 1997-06-10 Tracks: 16 Duration: 56:47 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Cissy Strut (03:05) 2 Live Wire (02:38) 3 Sophisticated Cissy (02:53) 4 Look-Ka Py Py (03:16) 5 Pungee (03:00) 6 Tippi-Toes (02:27) 7 Soul Island (03:10) 8 Cabbage Alley (03:30) 9 People Say (05:18) 10 Hey Pocky A-Way (04:06) 11 Just Kissed My Baby (04:42) 12 Jungle Man (03:25) 13 Out in the Country (03:35) 14 Fire on the Bayou (04:07) 15 They All Askd for You (04:12) 16 Trick Bag (03:19) |
| The Very Best of the Meters : Allmusic album Review : In keeping with the drift of Rhinos Very Best Of volumes, this 16-track disc provides a more concise, budget-minded retrospective for listeners who might not want a set that offers twice as much or more (in this case, Rhinos own two-disc Funkify Your Life anthology). Thats not necessarily a criticism -- funk grooves can get tiring over the course of two hours if youre not a rhythm fiend. Should you want to keep your Meters to the one-sitting level, this smartly chosen, well-annotated set is fine, including all of the cuts ("Cissy Strut," "Sophisticated Cissy," "Look-Ka Py Py," "Hey Pocky A-Way," "Fire on the Bayou") youd expect to find on a greatest-hits set. | ||
 | Album: 18 of 24 Title: A Message From The Meters Released: 2000-03-23 Tracks: 30 Duration: 1:24:42 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Here Comes the Meterman (02:53) 2 Look-Ka Py Py (03:15) 3 Sophisticated Cissy (02:54) 4 Live Wire (02:37) 5 Stretch Your Rubber Band (02:38) 6 Tippi-Toes (02:27) 7 Chicken Strut (02:44) 8 Ease Back (03:11) 9 This Is My Last Affair (02:54) 10 Pungee (02:58) 11 Funky Miracle (02:26) 12 Thinking (01:42) 13 Groovy Lady (02:45) 14 I Need More Time (03:13) 15 Ride Your Pony (03:13) 1 A Message From the Meters (02:42) 2 Stormy (03:33) 3 Little Old Money Maker (02:41) 4 Dry Spell (02:27) 5 Darling Darling Darling (02:52) 6 Same Old Thing (02:48) 7 People Get Ready (00:59) 8 Good Old Funky Music (04:48) 9 Come Together (03:10) 10 Sing a Simple Song (02:54) 11 Cissy Strut (03:03) 12 Im Gonna Put Some Hurt on You (03:21) 13 Handclapping Song (02:54) 14 Tell Me Whats on Your Mind (02:07) 15 Seahorns Farm (02:26) |
 | Album: 19 of 24 Title: Anthology: The Josie Years Released: 2001-04-17 Tracks: 51 Duration: 2:29:03 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Cissy Strut (03:05) 2 Here Comes The Meter Man (02:53) 3 Cardova (04:32) 4 Live Wire (02:37) 5 Art (02:30) 6 Sophisticated Cissy (02:53) 7 Ease Back (03:12) 8 6V6 LA (02:23) 9 Sehorns Farm (02:28) 10 Ann (02:43) 11 Stormy (03:37) 12 Simple Song (03:01) 13 Look-Ka Py Py (03:17) 14 Rigor Mortis (02:34) 15 Pungee (02:58) 16 Thinking (01:42) 17 This Is My Last Affair (02:52) 18 Funky Miracle (02:25) 19 Yeah, Your Right (02:43) 20 Little Old Monkey Maker (02:39) 21 Oh, Calcutta! (02:42) 22 The Mob (02:46) 23 9 Til 5 (02:47) 24 Dry Spell (02:27) 25 Chicken Strut (03:13) 26 Liver Splash (02:41) 1 Wichita Lineman (02:59) 2 Joog (02:13) 3 Go for Yourself (03:11) 4 Same Old Thing (02:48) 5 Handclapping Song (02:55) 6 Darlin’ Darlin’ (02:49) 7 Tippi-Toes (02:27) 8 Britches (02:51) 9 Hey! Last Minute (02:59) 10 Ride Your Pony (03:18) 11 A Message From the Meters (02:42) 12 Zony Mash (03:00) 13 Groovy Lady (02:45) 14 Stretch Your Rubber Band (02:43) 15 I Need More Time (03:13) 16 (The World Is a Bit Under the Weather) Doodle-Oop (02:36) 17 Good Old Funky Music (02:20) 18 Sassy Lady (02:35) 19 Pickin’ and a Grinnin’ (03:19) 20 Rock ’n’ Roll Medley: Rockin’ Pneumonia / Something You Got / I Know / Personality (05:09) 21 Riddle Song (04:17) 22 Jambalaya (On the Bayou) (02:46) 23 Bo Diddley (02:29) 24 People Get Ready (03:42) 25 Come Together (03:10) |
 | Album: 20 of 24 Title: Fiyo at the Fillmore Released: 2003-02-25 Tracks: 11 Duration: 1:16:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Too Funky (08:29) 2 Keep on Marching (04:55) 3 Love Slip Up on Ya (07:48) 4 People Say (10:11) 5 We Be Jammin (02:01) 6 Cissy Pickup (01:58) 7 Cissy Strut / Soul Island / Youre the One (11:30) 8 (Doodle Loop) The World Is a Little Bit Under the Weather (05:00) 9 Youve Got to Change (Youve Got to Reform) (07:34) 10 Fire on the Bayou (12:10) 11 Too Funky (studio demo) (04:41) |
 | Album: 21 of 24 Title: Zony Mash Released: 2003-09-23 Tracks: 13 Duration: 37:02 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Zony Mash (03:00) 2 I Need More Time (03:13) 3 The Look of Love (03:36) 4 A Message From the Meters (02:42) 5 Stretch Your Rubber Band (02:43) 6 Soul Machine (03:30) 7 (The World Is a Bit Under the Weather) Doodle-Oop (02:36) 8 Good Old Funky Music (02:21) 9 Sassy Lady (02:39) 10 Borro (02:11) 11 Groovy Lady (02:45) 12 Meter Strut (02:56) 13 Funky Meters Soul (02:47) |
 | Album: 22 of 24 Title: Here Comes the Meter Man: The Complete Josie Recordings 1968-1970 Released: 2011-05-02 Tracks: 50 Duration: 2:20:15 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Cissy Strut (03:05) 2 Here Comes the Meterman (02:50) 3 Cardova (04:29) 4 Live Wire (02:38) 5 Art (02:30) 6 Sophisticated Cissy (02:53) 7 Ease Back (03:11) 8 6V6 LA (02:22) 9 Sehorns Farm (02:26) 10 Ann (02:43) 11 Stormy (03:33) 12 Simple Song (02:53) 13 Look-Ka Py Py (03:14) 14 Rigor Mortis (02:31) 15 Pungee (03:00) 16 Thinking (01:43) 17 This Is My Last Affair (02:54) 18 Funky Miracle (02:26) 19 Yeah You’re Right (02:46) 20 Little Old Money Maker (02:41) 21 Oh, Calcutta! (02:44) 22 The Mob (02:46) 23 9 til 5 (02:46) 24 Dry Spell (02:27) 1 Chicken Strut (02:34) 2 Britches (02:48) 3 Darlin’ Darlin’ (02:49) 4 Go for Yourself (03:06) 5 Handclapping Song (02:55) 6 Hey! Last Minute (02:59) 7 Joog (02:13) 8 Liver Splash (02:38) 9 Same Old Thing (02:48) 10 Tippi-Toes (02:27) 11 Wichita Lineman (02:59) 12 Ride Your Pony (03:18) 13 A Message From the Meters (02:42) 14 Zony Mash (02:58) 15 Stretch Your Rubber Band (02:42) 16 Groovy Lady (02:44) 17 The World Is a Little Bit Under the Weather (02:35) 18 I Need More Time (03:13) 19 Good Old Funky Maniac (02:20) 20 Sassy Lady (02:39) 21 Bo Diddley, Part 1 (02:48) 22 Bo Diddley, Part 2 (02:33) 23 Heartaches (03:36) 24 Im Gonna Put Some Hurt on You (03:20) 25 Gossip (02:35) 26 Tell Me Whats on Your Mind (02:07) |
| Here Comes the Meter Man: The Complete Josie Recordings 1968-1970 : Allmusic album Review : Organist Art Neville formed a band in 1966 in New Orleans with his brothers Aaron and Charles on vocals, Leo Nocentelli on guitar, George Porter on bass, and Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste on drums. Billing themselves as Art Neville & the Sounds, they signed to Sansu Enterprises, a label founded by Marshall Sehorn and writer, producer, arranger, and recording artist Allen Toussaint, and minus the vocalists, and now called the Meters, they became the house band for the label, providing backing tracks for releases by Lee Dorsey, Earl King, Betty Harris, and many others, including many cuts by Toussaint himself. The Meters would also track instrumentals that were used as filler tracks on LP releases by Sansu artists, and in time, there were enough of these instrumentals to release an LP in 1969 called the Meters, which Sehorn shrewdly placed with Josie Records because of that label’s connection to its parent company, Cosnat Distributors, at that time the largest East Coast music distributor. The Meters were something special, and their swampy precision practically defined the meaning and template of funk. Two more LPs, Look-Ka Py Py and Struttin’, appeared a year later in 1970 on the Josie imprint. When Josie went bankrupt in 1971, the Meters moved on to sign with Reprise Records and continued to release thundering funk records through the decade before gradually morphing into the more vocal-oriented group the Neville Brothers. This two-disc set collects the Meters entire Josie catalog, including all three LPs, the A- and B-sides of four singles, four tracks billed to Art Neville & the Meters, and two tracks attributed to Cyril Neville & the Meters. The end result is a joyous and impressively funky survey of this stellar and professional band’s earliest recordings. | ||
 | Album: 23 of 24 Title: Original Album Series Released: 2014-01-21 Tracks: 49 Duration: 3:33:38 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Youve Got to Change (Youve Got to Reform) (05:15) 2 Stay Away (05:22) 3 Birds (04:23) 4 The Flower Song (04:51) 5 Soul Island (03:10) 6 Do the Dirt (02:36) 7 Smiling (03:09) 8 Lonesone & Unwanted People (04:39) 9 Gettin Funkier All the Time (03:19) 10 Cabbage Alley (03:30) 1 People Say (05:18) 2 Love Is for Me (03:55) 3 Just Kissed My Baby (04:43) 4 Whatcha Say (03:29) 5 Jungle Man (03:26) 6 Hey Pocky A-Way (04:06) 7 It Aint No Use (11:51) 8 Loving You Is on My Mind (03:19) 9 Africa (04:01) 1 Out in the Country (03:38) 2 Fire on the Bayou (04:07) 3 Love Slip Upon Ya (04:59) 4 Talkin Bout New Orleans (03:38) 5 They All Askd for You (04:12) 6 Can You Do Without? (03:52) 7 Liar (05:12) 8 Youre a Friend of Mine (04:11) 9 Middle of the Road (07:57) 10 Running Fast (01:27) 11 Mardi Gras Mambo (02:39) 1 Disco Is the Thing Today (04:19) 2 Find Yourself (04:11) 3 All These Things (03:30) 4 I Want to Be Loved by You (05:22) 5 Suite for 20 G (04:32) 6 (Doodle Loop) The World Is a Little Bit Under the Weather (03:52) 7 Trick Bag (03:19) 8 Mister Moon (04:01) 9 Chug-A-Lug (03:21) 10 Hang em High (02:17) 11 Honky Tonk Women (03:16) 1 No More Okey Doke (04:20) 2 I’m Gone (04:29) 3 Be My Lady (06:27) 4 My Name Up in Lights (05:23) 5 Funkify Your Life (05:41) 6 Stop That Train (04:50) 7 We Got the Kind of a Love (05:20) 8 Give It What You Can (04:35) |
 | Album: 24 of 24 Title: A Message from the Meters: The Complete Josie, Reprise & Warner Bros. Singles 1968-1977 Released: 2016-09-02 Tracks: 40 Duration: 2:07:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Sophisticated Cissy (02:53) 2 Sehorns Farms (02:26) 3 Cissy Strut (03:05) 4 Here Comes the Meterman (02:50) 5 Ease Back (03:11) 6 Ann (02:43) 7 Dry Spell (02:06) 8 Little Old Money Maker (02:53) 9 Look-Ka Py Py (03:02) 10 This Is My Last Affair (02:54) 11 Chicken Strut (02:46) 12 Hey! Last Minute (02:59) 13 Handclapping Song (02:55) 14 Joog (02:13) 15 A Message From the Meters (02:42) 16 Zony Mash (03:00) 17 Stretch Your Rubber Band (02:43) 18 Groovy Lady (02:45) 19 (The World Is a Bit under the Weather) Doodle-Oop (02:30) 20 I Need More Time (03:13) 21 Good Old Funky Music (03:22) 22 Sassy Lady (02:39) 1 Do the Dirt (02:36) 2 Smiling (03:09) 3 Cabbage Alley (03:29) 4 The Flower (04:51) 5 Chug-Chug-Chug-A-Log (Push n Shove), Pt. 1 (03:29) 6 Chug-Chug-Chug-A-Lug (Push n Shove), Pt. 2 (03:28) 7 Hey Pocky A-Way (03:27) 8 Africa (03:39) 9 People Say (03:10) 10 Loving You Is on My Mind (03:16) 11 They All Askd for You (03:58) 12 Running Fast (Long Version) (03:28) 13 Disco Is the Thing Today (04:13) 14 Mister Moon (03:59) 15 Trick Bag (03:17) 16 Find Yourself (04:09) 17 Be My Lady (03:30) 18 No More Okey Doke (04:20) |
| A Message from the Meters: The Complete Josie, Reprise & Warner Bros. Singles 1968-1977 : Allmusic album Review : Back in 1995, Rhino released a set called Funkify Your Life: The Meters Anthology, a double-disc compilation that rounded up 43 singles and album tracks in what appeared to be the final word on the seminal New Orleans soul band. Released some 21 years later, Real Gone Musics Message from the Meters: The Complete Josie, Reprise & Warner Bros. Singles 1968-1977 is a little more exacting in its approach: it focuses just on songs that made their way to a 7", so it excises the longer loose-limbed jams and demonstrations of instrumental prowess showcased on Funkify Your Life. In some respects, this performs a slight disservice to the Meters -- they may not have made concept albums but certainly used the form of a long-player to strut their stuff -- but by focusing on their tightest material, A Message from the Meters emphasizes how their groove never remained static, how they were flexible enough to dip their toes into disco without losing sight of their identity. By marching through the 45s in chronological order -- the entire first disc is in glorious, gritty mono -- the Meters seem vibrant and ever-changing, while remaining true to their bayou beat. Sometimes their attempts at riding coattails are conceptually a little silly -- witness "Stretch Your Rubber Band" -- but the group is so dexterous, so natural in its grooves, that its impossible not to smile. Such is the brilliance of A Message from the Meters: by concentrating on the singles, the compilation winds up tying the Meters to their time a little tightly, but that only illustrates how the group was exceptional, a band defined by its interplay, not trends. | ||