The Meters

The Meters was an American funk band from New Orleans, which was mainly known by their instrumental tracks.

Biography

Officially known today as The FUNKY meter, they are considered pioneers of instrumental funk. The band was formed in 1965 by keyboardist Art Neville ( born December 17, 1937 in New Orleans, and later Neville Brothers ) was founded. Other founding members were bassist George Porter Jr. ( born December 26, 1947 in New Orleans), Joseph ( Zigaboo ) Modeliste (drums, born 28 December 1948 in New Orleans) and Leo Nocentelli (guitar, born June 15, 1946 in New Orleans).

The discovered by Allen Toussaint funk band first played as a backing band for live and studio performances by Fats Domino, Lee Dorsey, Chris Kenner, Earl King and Betty Harris and other performers of the New Orleans scene before his own record contract with Josie Records received.

The first unpublished LP Sunday Under Covers With The meter was recorded at Jazz City recording studio of Cosimo Matassa in January 1968. In November, appeared in 1968 with the single Sophisticated Cissy the typical, highly syncopated "funky" Instrumental sound that the band henceforth hardly varied. While it recorded the R & B charts at # 7, it took the unusual sound in the pop charts only to # 34 Cissy Strut came as a follow-up single already in March 1969 even up to # 7 R & B (# 23 Pop ). The song was a successful design, earthy blend of rustic Souls of Booker T. & the MG's with style elements from the hits of Sly & the Family Stone.

In May 1969, was time for the first official LP The Meters, who presented a further consolidation of the radio sounds. Then Ease Back was included, which was coupled out in July 1969 as a single. Already in December 1969 came the second LP under the title Look- Ka Py Py on the market. Now it was clear that the meters to a specialized LP band, especially their single releases no longer reached the Top 10 of the R & B charts. In June 1970 they released their third LP Struttin ', as recorded at Cosimo Matassa all precursor and produced by Allen Toussaint.

The meter also worked with on albums by Dr. John, Robert Palmer ( Sneakin ' Sally Through The Alley ), King Biscuit Boy, Lee Dorsey, Allen Toussaint and Paul McCartney and Wings. Your stylistically influential sound is clearly audible here. In particular, Dr. John's success in the Right Place ( March 1973 ) cooperation between Mac Rebennack, Toussaint and the Meters is expressed.

In 1972 they switched to Warner Brothers, in 1974 they were at Reprise. Here was released in July 1975 Fire on the Bayou - again produced by Toussaint - their most successful album.

The band broke up in 1977 officially, as of 1989 there were several reunion concerts. 2013 Trombone Shorty took all the musicians into the studio to record the classic " Be My Lady" for his album Say This to Say That with them .. The Meters enjoy today among music lovers cult status.

Discography

Singles

  • Sophisticated Sissy ( Josie 1001), November 1968
  • Cissy Strut ( Josie 1005), March 1969
  • Ease Back ( Josie 1008), July 1969
  • Dry Spell ( Josie 1013), October 1969
  • Look- Ka Py Py ( Josie 1015), November 1969
  • Chicken Strut ( Josie 1018), March 1970
  • Hand Clapping Song ( Josie 1021), May 1970
  • A Message From The Meters ( Josie 1021), August 1970
  • Stretch Your Rubber Band ( Josie 1026), December 1970
  • Doodle Oop ( Josie 1029 ), May 1971
  • Good Old Funky Music ( Josie 1031 ), November 1971
  • Africa (Reprise 1307 ), 1974
  • They All ask'd For You (Reprise 1338 ), 1975
  • Mardi Gras Mambo ( Sansu 1015 ), 1976

LPs

  • The Meters ( Josie 4010), June 1969
  • Look- Ka Py Py ( Josie 4011 ), January 1970
  • Struttin ' ( Josie 4012 ), July 1970
  • Cabbage Alley 1972 ( Reprise)
  • Rejuvenation 1974 ( Reprise)
  • Cissy Strut 1974 ( Iceland )
  • Fire on The Bayou 1975 ( Reprise)
  • Best of The Meters 1975 ( Josie )
  • Trickbag 1976 ( Reprise)
  • New Directions 1977 ( Warner )
  • Good Old Funky Music 1979 ( Pye )
  • Second Line Strut 1980 ( Charly )
  • Here Come The metermen? ?
  • Funky Miracle? ( Charly )
  • The Meters Jam 1972 ( Rounder )
  • Live on the queen mary 1992
  • Uptown Rulers (Live 1975) 1992 ( Rhino )
  • The Original Funk Masters 1992 ( Charly )
  • Fundamentally Funky 1994 ( Charly )
  • Crescent City Groove 1994
  • Fundemantally radio 1994
  • Funkify Your Life 1995 ( Rhino )
  • Kick Back (new )
  • Message from The Meters 2004
The Neville Brothers December 28 Syncopation Robert Palmer (singer) Comeback Integrated Authority File
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