Listen to The Meters Get Funky on an Allman Brothers Cover in 1994

In 1994, The Funky Meters were riding a wave of renewed interest in roots music. Having already recorded for some 30 years with various Neville brothers and helping to pioneer funk music as the world knows it, the Meters had just added the “Funky” to their name following a long hiatus in the 1980s. In the years to come, groups calling themselves The Original Meters and The Meter Men (featuring Phish’s Paige McConnell) would spin off with original members and newcomers filling the ranks. The iteration that performed this show on April 16, 1994, comprised original Meters Art Neville (keyboards) and George Porter Jr. (bass), who had formed the original Meters in 1967, plus Russell Batiste Jr. (drums) and guitarist Brian Stoltz (guitar), who joined in that very year to round out The Funky Meters.

With a new look and a foundational sound, the band performed two full sets at Tramps in New York City 24 years ago on this date. From the late set, check out “Here Comes the Meter Man,” from The Meters’ very first album in 1969, and a funked-up cover of the Allman Brothers’ “Midnight Rider.”