Tag: The Funky Meters

Dumpstaphunk closes out Jazz Festival 2012 with The Neville Brothers and Ani DiFranco

Since 2006 Dumpstaphunk has closed out Jazz Fest at Tipitina’s every year on Sunday night of the 2nd weekend. Sadly, 2012 will be the last year of that tradition (per Ivan Neville‘s remarks at this show). 2012 also marks The Neville Brothers‘ “Farewell Tour”. Although no official statement has been made, their recent Hollywood Bowl performance was billed as “The Farewell Tour”, whatever that means.

This all makes this surprise appearance by the brothers even more historic as it is likely the very last time all 4 Neville Brothers will perform together inside this legendary club. Their last performances at Tip’s were in 2004 and 2003, and before that it was 1993.

When all 4 Neville Brothers (Art Neville, Aaron Neville, Charles Neville & Cyril Neville) came out and took over most of Dumpstaphunk’s first set, I was on hand to record it for posterity. With additional video from photographer extraordinaire John “Nunu” Zomot, and an audio recording by CosmicSoul420, you can enjoy the entire six song, 33 minute performance right here.

Keep in mind that this was Art “Poppa Funk” Neville’s fourth performance in 24 hours! The night before he tore it up with The Original Meters at the Howlin’ Wolf. And earlier on this day he played the Jazz & Heritage Festival with The Funky Meters at 2pm and then closed out the Festival with The Neville Brothers till 7pm. Not bad for “74 fuckin’ years old”.

Dumpstaphunk with The Neville Brothers
May 6, 2012 – New Orleans, LA @ Tipitina’s
Brother Jake, Hercules, Healing Chant, Fever, Mojo Hannah (with James “Hutch” Hutchinson), Shake Your Tambourine (with Mean Willie Green):

Also, early in the second set, Dumpstaphunk invited out Ani DiFranco for this slightly altered Bill Withers cover.

Dumpstaphunk with Ani DiFranco
May 6, 2012 – New Orleans, LA @ Tipitina’s
Who Is (S)he and What Is (S)he To You (Bill Withers cover):

P.S. If you have time, listen to the recording of the 2007 Dumpstaphunk Tipitina’s performance, which I consider a passing of the torch from The Meters to Dumpstaphunk, as 3 of the 4 original Meters are on hand as guests.

The Original Meters & Papa Grows Funk – May 5, 2012 New Orleans, LA @ Howlin’ Wolf

When you’re in New Orleans for Jazz Fest, there’s nothing like catching a Funky Meters show to reassure you that you’re in the right place at the right time. But, as we know, the Funky Meters only contain 2 of the original Meters band members, namely Art “Poppa Funk” Neville and George Porter, Jr.

That’s why the 2012 Jazz Fest became so exciting when it was announced that all 4 of the Original Meters would be playing their first club gig in New Orleans in over 30 years! Yes, we’re talking about all 4 original members: Art “Poppa Funk” Neville on organ, George Porter, Jr. on bass, Leo Nocentelli on guitar and Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste on drums.

Yes, these 4 original Meters members have reunited sporadically for shows in 2005, 2006 and 2007 (and for a few festival gigs in 2011). Yes, they’ve played New Orleans before. But this felt like the real homecoming. The price was steep, but for the few that could get in, it was worth every penny. Art showed that he can still play ferociously, despite his age of, in his words,“74 fuckin years old”. Although Zigaboo did joke about the senior citizen status of the band, they hardly played like it. Judge for yourself, because here I bring you 47 minutes of footage from this now legendary show.

The Original Meters
May 5, 2012 New Orleans, LA @ Howlin’ Wolf
Fire On The Bayou, Africa > Look-Ka Py Py > Funky Miracle, Encore: People Say:

Also, here is the set closing Ain’t No Use, shot by photographer Marc Millman. I strongly suggest that you check out some of his photos from this show and even consider purchasing framable prints of his beautiful imagery.

By the way, you can download the full audio from this show here.

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Finally, here are a few videos of the opening act, Papa Grows Funk, featuring Raymond Weber (ex-Dumpstaphunk drummer) subbing on drums.

Papa Grows Funk
May 5, 2012 New Orleans, LA @ Howlin’ Wolf
Shakin’:

Papa Grows Funk
May 5, 2012 New Orleans, LA @ Howlin’ Wolf
Planet of Love & Hate:

Papa Grows Funk
May 5, 2012 New Orleans, LA @ Howlin’ Wolf
unknown tune:

Members of Dumpstaphunk & The Neville Brothers pay tribute to The Meters at private jazz fest party at the Maple Leaf

Nearly a year ago, during the 2nd weekend of the 2011 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the 4th Annual SF Management Crawfish Boil kicked off at the Maple Leaf Bar. The music started at 7pm, so you’d have to forego your after-jazz fest nap if you wanted to see this show. All proceeds from the event were donated to the New Orleans Musicians Assistance Foundation.

Shari Frank, the event coordinator, always makes it a point to put together a unique combination of musicians. For 2011, it was Ivan Neville, Ian Neville, and Tony Hall (from Dumpstaphunk) with David Russell Batiste (from The Funky Meters). Mark Rechler’s Circus Mind opened the show with choice covers such as Bill Wither‘s Use Me and Joe Cocker‘s version of Traffic‘s Feelin Alright. Midway, Gaynielle Neville, Cyril Neville‘s lovely wife, and her entourage stormed the stage for a few originals and a romp through the Sly & The Family Stone classic, Everyday People.

Video 1 of 4: Ain’t No Use (To Cut You Loose) [w/ Mark Rechler & Steve Finkelstein],
Doodle Oop (The World Is A Little Bit Under The Weather) [w/ Steve Finkelstein]

Slowly, the musicians filtered in and out, before we were left with 3/4th of Dumpstaphunk (Ivan Neville, Ian Neville & Tony Hall) + 1/4 of The Funky Meters (Russell Batiste). This is when things got interesting with some very deep cuts from The Meters‘ time-honored back catalog. What’cha Say. Gettin’ Funkier All The Time. These are Meters tunes that rarely if ever have been played live by either the original lineup or the Funky Meters lineup. Ivan and his friends put forth faithful interpretations that also expanded into heavy funk improvisations. Mojo Hannah, a Tami Lynn tune that was a staple of The Neville Brothers‘ repertoire was particularly soulful.

Just when I thought it couldn’t get much funkier, Cyril Neville busted onto the stage with an exhilarating performance of The Meters’ Chug A Lug, which then turned into a percussion jam between Cyril and Russell Batiste. Then Ivan teased in the chords of Zigaboo Modeliste‘s crescent city anthem, Welcome To New Orleans. That’s when my crew and I knew that we’d arrived.

Video 2 of 4: Chug A Lug [w/ Cyril Neville] > Welcome To New Orleans [w/ Cyril Neville]

Video 3 of 4:Gettin’ Funkier All The Time, Just Kissed My Baby

Video 4 of 4:What’Cha Say, Mojo Hannah,
The Same Thing (Makes You Laugh, Makes You Cry) [w/ Steve Finkelstein]

The full audio recording of this performance is available to stream or download over at Live Music Archive.

And if you’re interested in the 2012 SF Management Crawfish Boil, to take place on Saturday, May 5th, go to the SF Management website.

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