GEORGE PORTER JR: How Do You Red Bean?

George Porter, Jr. is one of the greatest bass players of all time, a founding member of the New Orleans’ funk band, the Meters, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner.

{photo credit Jeffrey Dupuis – georgeporterjr.com}

When George Porter Jr was about 6, his mother was told by her choir director that children who played musical instruments would usually stay out of trouble. So, one day she came home with a violin for him and his brother Ralph. The violins were in the house for less than a day. When his father came home and heard the noises, he said that the violins had to go.

“It was not till I was 8 that my grandmother gave me the guitar,” Porter told me. “My dad was not happy about that either but because I was going to take lessons, he said ok.”

From age 8 til 11 he took lessons. However, it was a change in his normal routine that led him to discover a new passion for playing the guitar. Porter decided to catch a different bus to his usual Saturday lesson. As he was walking up Tulane Street he heard someone playing the guitar. He walked towards the music and saw a guy sitting on the steps to his steps house playing and using the same fingering style Porter was being taught. But he sounded different. This man was playing blues songs instead of the classical styles and cowboy-type songs Porter was being taught.

At that moment, everything changed for Porter. He no longer wanted the private guitar lessons on Saturdays; instead, he began to learn how to play the blues; and eventually, Porter shifted to playing the bass guitar.

Years later, a friend from the same neighborhood in New Orleans, Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste, who was a drummer, called Porter up and said that they needed a bassist for a new band that Art “Poppa Funk” Neville was putting together.

This group would also work as the studio musicians for Allen Toussaint’s recorded label, Sansu Enterprises. During this time, Porter worked on that signature style he’s now known for while playing with early musical pioneers like Johnny Adams, Irma Thomas, Snooks Eaglin, Eddie Bo, and The Lastie Brothers.

Porter and the band began to play gigs throughout New Orleans mostly doing cover songs. While working with Toussaint, they worked on records for Dr. John, Paul McCartney, Lee Dorsey, Earl King, and Patty Labelle’s number-one hit, “Lady Marmalade”.

In 1969, the band, now known as the Meters, released their first album, THE METERS. During their gigs, they stopped doing cover songs and started playing all new and original music. The first single from the album, “Cissy Strut”, reached number 4 on the R&B charts and 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. By 1975, they were on a world tour opening for the Rolling Stones.

With their unique funk style, the Meters were noticed around the music industry and their distinctive sound started to influence bands like Led Zeppelin. In more recent times, that funky rhythmic style could also be heard in bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Beastie Boys and the hip-hop artists of the 80s and 90s like A Tribe Called Quest, Run DMC, and Queen Latifah.

In 1977, the Meters broke up due to personal differences. Porter went on to be one of the most highly sought-after session bassists. He played with David Byrne, Jimmy Buffet, Tori Amos, and Taj Mahal, to name just a few.

After the Meters, Porter played in a band called Joyride with other New Orleans musicians. In the late 80s, the Meters got back together but with the late Russell Batiste, Jr on drums instead of Modeliste. In 1990, Porter started a new project called George Porter, Jr. and the Runnin’ Pardners which is a well-respected quintessential New Orleans band that is still touring.

In 1994, Porter and Neville got back together and formed the Funky Meters as a way to carry on the legacy of the Meter’s funky sound. Russell Batiste, Jr joined them and played on drums with Brian Stoltz on guitar. On special occasions, the original Meters would get back together for one-night stands like the first New Orleans JazzFest that followed after Katrina in 2006.

Besides the Runnin’ Pardners, Porter also performs with The Porter Trio. When the Porter Trio gets together, it’s three experienced musicians coming out to play together, no rehearsal, no set lists, no idea of what’s going to happen. They play everything from Porter’s own music to blues, soul, and old rock n roll.

George Porter, Jr. has been playing for over five decades. He’s influenced and inspired countless musicians and bands with that unique style of funk that he created with the Meters that only could have come out of New Orleans. He has recorded dozens of studio albums under his own name and countless more with others. Rolling Stone magazine named him in the Top 50 Greatest Bassist of All Time. In 2018, George Porter, Jr. was presented with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards. The Meters have also been nominated four times for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

{photo credit Jeffrey Dupuis – georgeporterjr.com}

What do red beans and rice mean to you?

Ha, a full stomach!

Red beans and rice is something I have eaten all my life, pretty much every Monday. My Mom made red beans, and my wife made red beans. Every Monday it was a tradition that I never questioned. Monday would be red beans by itself, Tuesday might be the red beans with chicken, and Wednesday, if there was some left could be red beans and pork chops. Personally, I could eat their red beans any day if they were there. 

What do you think is the cultural importance of red beans and rice to New Orleans?

I have never given it much thought, except it is a food many people enjoy. 

What memories are brought up when you have red beans?

My favorite red beans were the ones my mother made and then the ones my wife made. 

I have not had any that compare even when I try to cook them myself. So red beans remind me of two special ladies in my life who are no longer with us and how much I miss their cooking. My daughter and granddaughter make acceptable beans but still not like my mother or my wife. 

Do you only eat or make red beans on Monday? 

I no longer seek out red beans on Mondays.  I have tried them at some restaurants without having a slap your mama moment. As a touring musician, my craving for them made me try and cook a pot a few weeks ago, by the way, it was a Sunday, and I thought they did what I wanted them to do but not that slap-your-mama pot.

Who makes the best red beans and rice?

My mother and my wife Ara. My daughter has a good pot and my granddaughter, who does not use pork but uses smoked turkey necks, is very tasty. In fact, when I made my pot I did not use pork just the smoked turkey necks.

Where is your favorite spot in New Orleans?

I don’t have a special favorite spot, I enjoy the variety of foods the city has to offer and all the different cuisines. 

What is your favorite comfort food – your go-to meal?

When I am home alone I use my air fryer a lot to make chicken and or Italian sausages, but peanut butter sandwiches are also a staple. 

Did you have any projects that you’d like to pass along?

I am excited about the new recording from George Porter Jr and the Runnin Pardners that will be released soon. It is an instrumental record and the process was very similar to how The Meters recorded. We were all in the same room no isolation booths and playing off of each other. We are very proud of it and it will be called Porter’s Pocket. Look for a few singles to drop in the next few months.

To stay up to date with George Porter Jr, his album releases, and tour dates, be sure to follow him online and on social media:

• Website: https://www.georgeporterjr.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeorgePorterJr/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgeporterjr
• Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/crying-for-hope/1556585189

Red Beans and Eric

Eric Olsson is the food blogger of RedBeansAndEric.com. He publishes new recipes and interviews weekly. He has developed recipes and written articles for the famous Camellia brand in New Orleans, Louisiana. He has been mentioned in Louisiana Cookin‘ magazine and has had recipes featured in Taste of Home magazine – with his Creole Turkey recipe being runner up in their annual Thanksgiving recipe contest. He lives outside of Detroit, Michigan, with his wife and four children.