Proud Larry's | 10.20.01 | Oxford, MS
George Porter Jr. and Runnin Pardners played Saturday night at Proud Larry's bar/restaurant/club in Oxford, Mississippi, USA. The Runnin Pardners are George Porter Jr. on bass and vocals (The Meters, The funky Meters, Joyride, Mike Clark’s Prescription Renewal, and many other collaborations); David Russell Batiste Jr. on drums (The funky Meters, Papa Grows Funk, the Wild Magnolias, Russell Batiste and da Orchestra from da Hood, and recently recorded with Page McConnell and Oteil Burbridge, and grew up with the Meters practicing in his parent’s living room); John Gros on the Hammond B3 organ and vocals (Papa Grows Funk – rumored to be touring Colorado this January); Brint Anderson on guitar and vocals (Brint is putting a band together for a Colorado December tour); and Michael Lemmler on the Fender Rhodes.
This band rocks just looking at their resumes. So when they took the stage at 10:20pm, it was 2 and ½ hours of non-stop-let’s-get-down-to-business-funk-music. This weekend was homecoming weekend with the home-town Ole Miss Rebels defeating the visiting Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders. So everyone was in good spirits, and good spirits were inside everyone. Proud Larry’s has a small dance floor holding approximately 75-100 people and with the homecoming festivities going on, it was pushing maximum density.
The show started with the two-punch opener of “By Athenish” and “Yes Thou Art Correct (aka Yeah You Right),” both funk instrumentals. This was followed by the medley of “Funksomethingness > Junco Pardner > Hey Pocky Way > Will It Go Round In Circles” which allowed us to get our New Orleans groove on. After the Runnin Pardner original tune “Timekeeper” came a surprise cameo - Steely Dan’s “Black Friday.” Then they turned it up a few more notches with a rowdy “Funkify Your Life,” after which the band took a breather and commented on the TVs which were playing the Lousiana State/Mississippi State football game, so this prompted some funny football chatter between the band and the audience.
After watching some more of the game, the band launched into their very own “Runnin Pardner.” This song is one of my favorites and this version highlighted Micheal Lemmler’s melodic keyboard playing. A liquid version of Neil Young’s “Down by the River” was next, followed by Brint’s original “Sweetness.” With an hour left on the Proud Larry’s clock, the rest of the show went off the scale. Next was Curtis Mayfield’s “Check Out Your Mind” with Brint leading a Santana-like jam in the middle. The dance floor was literally bouncing up and down as John Gros’ B3 and Leslie speaker caused our eyebrows to vibrate. Russell Batiste, who was on-fire the whole night by providing insane drum fills& rolls and huge cymbal crashes at every opportunity, was then given the charge to lead the band into “Cissy Strut” - another favorite of mine and everybody else’s. The “Cissy Strut” segued into “No More Okey Doke.” So right there you got two Meters’ classics back-to-back. George Porter Jr. doesn’t mess around. He delivers the goods! Thank you George!! What happened next was a tease of another Meters classic “People Say,” which led into another surprise cameo – Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love.” Then, my favorite song – “Ride Your Pony”. Where am I? What’s my name? I have forgotten everything and it feels good.
To finish out the set, it was a joyous “Big Chief > He Bite Me > Just Kissed My Baby, Happy Song > Sneakin Sally Through the Alley > Happy Song.” And then the house lights immediately came on, and it was time to go. The local authorities don’t allow any alcohol to be consumed after 12:50am. No exceptions. The crowd was screamin’ for more, and the band wanted to play more, but no exceptions. Not even for bass-player legends and their orchestras.
Keep on eye on all these band members. They all have side projects with deep funk roots, so check them out when they come to your town. Or just move to New Orleans, like me. Speaking of New Orleans, Art “Poppa Funk” Neville (The Hawkettes, The Neville Sounds, The Meters, The funky Meters, and the Neville Brothers) is recovering from back surgery, so please send healing thoughts and prayers in his direction. Get well Poppa Funk!!!!!!
Matthew Kane
JamBase Colorado Correspondent
(on location in Oxford, Mississippi)
Go See Live Music!
George Porter Jr. & Runnin Pardners
10.20.01 | Proud Larry’s | Oxford, MS
By Athenish
Yes Thou Art Correct
Funksomethingness >
Junco Pardner >
Hey Pocky Way >
Will It Go Round in Circles >
Timekeeper
Black Friday
Funkify Your Life
“Football Talk”
Runnin Pardner
Down By the River
Sweetness
Check Out Your Mind (with Santana-like jam) >
Russell Batiste Drum Solo >
Cissy Strut >
No More Okey Doke >
People Say Tease >
Sunshine of Your Love >
Ride Your Pony
Big Chief >
He Bite Me >
Just Kissed My Baby
Happy Song >
Sneakin Sally >
Happy Song
Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes non-stop
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