The Meters - essential songs / albums?

[Jim Nazium]

Hey everyone,

I've heard a lot *about* The Meters, but haven't actually heard much of their music. Where should I start?

[tonejunkie]

Sorry I can't help but I'm interested too.

*subscribed*

[Jared Lash]

If you want a collection, I'd recommend the 2 disc anthology "Funkify Your Life".

If you just want to start with a single album, my favorite is "Struttin'"

Their first eponymous album was re-issued not too long ago and is fantastic too.

My personal preference is for their earliest stuff. Not to say that an album like "Fire on the Bayou" isn't good. It just isn't my favorite.

[Fineblend]

Well start with their first album, it's self titled.

Now I've listened to all their stuff, fire on the bayou, chicken strut, cabbage alley I believe is the name of another but to really get a soak of their style and understand the basic seeds of early funk get the first record, it has meters and meter sticks all over it so you can't miss it. Every song is a gem and the album played from beginning to end is so rewarding.

Their music is so rhythmically complex that it's so at ease with itself just being a backing track for your mind and body. The listener can pretty much focus solely on the rhythm section and be satisfied, like the track "Ease Back" and the bass driven "Cardova", here you will find out what the term "second line drumming" was all about, Zigaboo had to and still remains the best drummer of the style.

Later on in their career they got a singer, probably from the Stax era of RB and soul singers, not their greatest stride but you will be fine with their earliest stuff as well as any compilation you can find.

But as a recommendation, get the first one and use that as your reference point.

[James Hart]

The Anthology is the best one to go to... it's got all of what the Meters have been.

I like "Rejuvenation" as a single studio disc.

George Porter Jr records and shares Meters shows (as do others)... live is where it's at!

The singer they brought in was Art Neville's kin Cyril Neville.

I hate to keep bringing them up... but If you are finding New Orleans Funk, check Art & Aaron Neville's kids band http://www.dumpstaphunk.com/

Nicky Daniels AND Tony Hall on Basses

[Jim Nazium]

Cool ... thanks for the informed replies!

[MWBass]

My two cents...

Look-A-Py-Py, or something like that. The song is on a few albums, but the album entitled that was my first experience with the Meters. There is a song "9 Til 5" which I heard first when I was 14, and I was hooked. Still my favorite Meters tune to date, and one of my favorite grooves of all time...

good stuff...

Hard CD to find though...

[chasfr]

If I'm recalling correctly, the Meters got their start as producer Allen Toussaint's house band. My favorite early Meters tracks include Hey Pocky Way and Cissy Strut, but it's all great. I like the later album "New Directions" too. And once you get started with the Neville clan, you'll want to check out The Wild Tchoupitoulas and the Neville Brothers.

Enjoy!

Chas

[James Hart]

Originally Posted by MWBass

Look-A-Py-Py, or something like that.

"Look-Ka Py Py"... ya, that is my second favorite studio release

"9 'til 5", "Yeah, You're Right", "Rigor Mortis", "Pungee".... the whole disc is smokin!

[pointbass]

The Meters is absolutely essential listening to anyone looking to get their groove in order, especially the first album. The anthology is great, as well, but that first album is amazing, especially when you consider the time period in which it was recorded. As relevent today as it was back when it was first recorded.

I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to expand their chord comping and soloing skills. That entire first album is an excellent platform to play along with ... it's so pure in its groove that you can comp and solo right over the top of it, just as if they were your backing band

Excellent stuff ....

[zac2944]

They have som many good ones, but "Cissy Strut", "Hey Pocky Way", and "Here Comes The Meterman" are my favorite Meters tunes.

[Jared Lash]

If you are looking for individual tracks, here are some that I really dig:

Ease Back
Hand Clapping Song
Look-Ka Py Py
Here Comes the Meter Man
Tippi-Toes
Ride Your Pony
Funky Miracle
People Say
Trick Bag
and my favorite - Cissy Strut

[LAG]

yea- Cissy Strut & Look-a-Py Py

My fav's

[datsgora]

Originally Posted by LAG

yea- Cissy Strut & Look-a-Py Py

My fav's

Funny....those are the two songs my band does.....

[werbo1]

I've only got Uptown Rulers! Live on the Queen Mary which was a live concert sponsored by Paul McCartney.

It's awesome but some of the jams cut out and the mixing could be better----i've heard amateur tapers tap better than this.


Cissy Strut is the[/i] best song...I was first exposed to it in a massive (6 - 10 people) jam in january and have loved the meters ever since.

[Jim Nazium]

Originally Posted by chasfr

...And once you get started with the Neville clan, you'll want to check out The Wild Tchoupitoulas and the Neville Brothers.

Funny you should say that, I just saw the Neville Brothers open for Ziggy Marley, and they were f'ing GREAT. Marley was good, but the Nevilles totally stole the show. The very definition of "groove", IMHO. I wasn't familiar with them before, but you can call me a fan now.

[Winterpegbass]

My favorite meters tune is Cissy Strut.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1lT4x3wMl

A couple of other good vids:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNzil...elated&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyLAi...elated&search=

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by datsgora

Funny....those are the two songs my band does.....

Those are the two Meters songs most bands do

[mcm]

cabbage alley baby

[Double Agent]

All the stuff mentioned already is obviously great, I've always liked the slow jam "Be My Lady". About as funky as a ballad could ever be and the bass work is, of course, amazing as always.