It’s rare that a legend lives up to the hype, but George Porter Jr. has been exceeding expectations and blowing minds for nearly five decades, and he isn’t showing any signs of stopping. Whether it’s being a founder of one of the most respected funk bands in music, The Meters, touring with his own band, The Runnin’ Pardners, endless studio sessions, side projects and jam sessions he carries the torch as a representative of the living spirit of New Orleans.
Our own Rex Thomson caught up with George in-between studio sessions to talk about the concept of jamming and a couple of most anticipated upcoming big, all star shows at the upcoming Fool’s Paradise and NOLA Crawfish Festival events.
L4LM: What is it about the way you play that makes it so easy for you to plug into any musical situation?
GPJr.: For me, what makes it easy for me to sit in with when I play with anyone is that I hone in on the groove. I get myself in the pocket that the drummer is playing and I try and make what I play as close as possible. The two of us need to be like one. But it’s not the drummer that needs to be thinking like me, it’s me that needs to be thinkin’ like them.
L4LM: Some sit ins seem like the guest is taking over the sound, but somehow you always sound like you have always been there, or at least were always supposed to be there.
GPJr.: Yeah, that’s probably true. I have kinda pushed in on things sometimes. I HAVE been known to move in and take things in a different direction, if the direction has not been too spelled out. In jam sessions, that is what is supposed to happen. If everybody is payin’ attention, it’s very easy for the jam to turn on a dime. Sometimes everybody goes exploring together.
L4LM: The inaugural Fool’s Paradise Festival is bringing you back together with Chris Robinson for an all-star jam session, and folks are excited to hear what that’s going to sound like. How would you describe what those lucky fans are gonna get to hear?
GPJr.: There’s no way of telling yet. We have had no conversations on that as of yet. So I have no idea. (Laughs) I’m gonna be…well…I won’t be as surprised as the audience will, because I’ll have at least a few hours notice. I’m sure we’ll figure that out, but not today. (Laughs)
L4LM: Does that make you nervous at all, going in to a situation like that?
GPJr.: No, not really…I always depended on my ears as my greatest asset. Y’know…I listen really well. I’m not big headed enough to think I can play anything, but I’ll sure as hell try!
L4LM: Lettuce is hosting the Fools Paradise Festival. They’re really doing a great job of helping carry the funk standard to the world. Since you’re one of the originals, what do you think of where they’re taking their music?
GPJr.: I like what they’re doin’! Absolutely! I’ve played several times with them. I sat in like every time there with them at Bear Creek, and a couple times on Jam Cruise. Yeah, I like everybody in the band. I love Adam. (Deitch) He’s a wonderful player. And Kraz (Eric Krasno)…I like playin’ with Kraz a lot. We were recording in New Orleans a couple of days ago, and we’re goin’ back in on Friday to do some more recordin’.
L4LM: What are you up to with Kraz, sir?
GPJr.: We’re actually working on a project with Cody Dickinson (of the North Mississippi All-Stars) That’s something we’re doing for ourselves. We’ve been talking about it recording with Adam and Kraz for awhile now, but it’s hard together the way the everybody’s schedules are so busy.
L4LM: You seem to love any chance to play. Any chance of you joining Lettuce for a tune or three during the Paradise weekend?
GPJr.: I’m positive there’ll be some jammin’! (Laughs)
L4LM: You’re gonna be rocking the NOLA Crawfish Festival. How hard is it gonna be keeping your mind on playing with all that delicious food laid out in front of you?
GPJr.: Awwwwww….that’s not TOO hard for me to do. I live here, after all. (Chuckles)
L4LM: There’s gonna be a Crawfish cook off during the festival. Are you thinking of volunteering to judge it?
GPJr.: I’m not very good at judging crawfish. These days, with this old body…they’re getting a little too spicy for me. I don’t eat them as much as I used to. I’m sure I’ll have a few though.
L4LM: Crawfish boils, to an outsider, seem like perfect example of the melting pot that is New Orleans. It looks to me like everybody gathers together, rich or poor, to share a meal, smiles and stories. Would that be a fair assessment?
GPJr.: Well…I’m not sure how much sharin’ stories get told while you’re bitin’ on those crawfish heads. But gettin’ together…elbow to elbow…pickin’ the crawfish outta the the pile and suckin’ the heads and eatin‘ the tails…that’s just what we do good.
L4LM: The secret weapon of Nola Crawfish Festival is Chris “Shaggy” Davis. He’s known as the “Crawfish King”…do you think he has earned that crown?
GPJr.: Oh absolutely. I can’t put him up against anybody else at this point cause…like I said…I have had to remove myself from being a big crawfish eater. I’m not sure if there is someone else out there that’s doin’ crawfish as good as Shaggy…but he’s definitely the most visible. I get to eat Shaggy’s stuff more than anyone else’s.
L4LM: Your set at the fest is being labeled “The Crawfish All-Stars,” and your name is top of the bill. Are you running that band?
GPJr. No…I believe Billy Iuso is runnin’ that band. We always call him the bandleader.
L4LM: How are you guys gonna go about picking music to play at during the Crawfish Fest? It’s safe to assume you all know a lot of the funk classics…
GPJr.: I don’t believe there’s been any suggestion of a rehearsal at this point. I would think it’s gonna be as it has been in the past…we’ll be onsite before two hours before the gig, and after we dig into the crawfish for an hour or so after everybody has had their fill we’ll get together and figure out what we’re gonna play. Someone will say “Hey, this is what song we oughta play” and somebody else will say “Well how ’bout this one” and that’s how it gets done.
L4LM: During a jam session like upcoming Crawfish Kings set, how hard is it to fight the temptation to just abandon the set list and just see where the music tales you?
GPJr.: Well…you know….like I said earlier. When musicians are in a jam session configuration, then everyone is paying attention…If everyone is knowledgeable…I’m not sure if respect is the right word, but if everyone has the respect of each other, then it doesn’t happen. People need to have the comfortability, they get a chance to make their statement, to say what they want to say and pass it on to the next person to speak. Everyone is allowed to have a voice in the jam. That’s usual when you’re dealing with regular players who show each other respect. When respect is given, when one person is not tryin’ step over everybody and wants to be seen more than anybody…it works. There are times when those sorts of things happen, and I’m grateful that that sorta thing doesn’t happen that often in my life.
Check out a past interview we did with George where he explains the concept of “The Pocket” below:
L4LM: So is Jazz Fest the busiest time of the year for you?
GPJr.: I should think so. Locally for sure. And I don’t play like this, two or three gigs a day…anywhere else in the world. Only in New Orleans.
L4LM: Some folks carry pedometers to figure how long and far they walk in a day or a week. Do you have any idea how much time you spend gettin’ funky on a stage?
GPJr.: (Laughs) No, I don’t. I probably should. I probably easily could figure that out just by lookin’ at my schedule for a year to figure out how many hours in a year. I could just look at how many of the gigs I have booked and played. The I could put jam sessions and sit-ins are like a third of the time that a full gig is. I don’t know though. I may just go add that up and email it to ya. (Chuckles)
L4LM: We’d be happy to get you a stop watch, so you could just click it every time you go out onstage and again when you come off.
GPJr.: I might just have to give that gig to someone else! (Laughs)
L4LM: Well, thanks for taking a few minutes out of your busy schedule to chat with us.
GPJr.: You’re welcome! I’m always a phone call away.