An Exclusive Interview with George Porter Jr!

Mexicali Blues Cafe ~ Teaneck N.J.
~ MoBoogie.net ~ January 13, 2007

Interviewed by: Rich Lieberman
Photos by: Rich Lieberman

I arrived at Mexicali Blues Cafe in Teaneck NJ Saturday night looking forward to meeting a New Orleans legend and experiencing an incredible group of musicians getting down and dirty with the funk. I was not disappointed. It turned out to be a night I will not soon forget.

I entered the small club and was immediately greeted by the sound of loud cheering and screaming. At next glance, I realized all of the noise was coming from George Porter’s Band, the Runnin’ Pardners, who were completely engrossed in the New Orleans Saints/Philadelphia Eagles playoff game. The entire band was rooting for the Saints and about half of them were wearing New Orleans Saints jerseys. I realized right away that this band would not take the stage until the game was over. Thank God the Saints won, because the band was then ready to throw down a serious party afterwards, New Orleans style, to celebrate.

On the drive out to the venue, I started trying to count the number times that I have seen George Porter Jr. play. It occurred to me that doing so would mean having to first remember what bands I may have seen him in over the years. I realized then what a tremendous career this man has had as I started to list the bands I’ve seen…The Meters, the Funky Meters, PBS (Porter Batiste Stoltz), Runnin Pardners, David Byrne, Gov’t Mule, and the All Star Group - Deep Fried.
I was interested to find out what new projects George Porter Jr. had on the horizon. I was curious how he, as N.O. resident, felt about Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. I also wanted to ask him about the rumors that have been circulating, suggesting that we have once again heard the last from The Meters.

I sat down with George Porter Jr. backstage before the show (we could still hear the chants for the New Orleans Saints in the background) for a very candid one on one interview.

Click here to read the interview...

Photos © Rich Lieberman 2007

© Rich Lieberman Music Media, LLC