Search - Zigaboo Modeliste, Gaboon's Gang :: Funk Me Hard Live

Funk Me Hard is an eclectic symposium of Zigaboo Modeliste's funk originals, recorded live at the Saenger Theater in New Orleans in 1980. This EP is a close peek at Zigaboo's musical evolution, as he was just departing from the Meters at the time of the recording. His songwriting genius is brilliantly present in these songs, resulting in a unique, funky musical experience. Funk Me Hard is a history-making timepiece, delivering the intensity of live performance, as well as a session in funk mastery.

The recording of this show was done by a small group of filmmakers who generated an idea to record The Meters live in concert. The show consisted of four acts-The Meters, The Neville Brothers, George Porter Jr. & The Runnin' Pardners, and Zigaboo's band called Gaboon's Gang. Fortunately, Zigaboo secured the 24 track audio recording master of the show and transferred it to digital. While the original idea was to release the concert on video, the film remains at large to this day.

The opening song on the EP, "Let's Get Fired Up," was commissioned in 1980 by Popeye's Chicken & Biscuits Restaurants for the New Orleans Saints football franchise. That year the Saints went 1-15, but the song is still a popular hit during every NFL season.

"Standing in Your Stuff" has stood the test of time and even today is a mainstay at Zigaboo's live performances. It has been covered by other New Orleans funksters, including Ivan Neville's Dumpstafunk, and offers a groove that few have matched in the genre of funk classics.

The last 3 songs on the EP "More Power to You", "I Don't Know Why", "I Know You Don't Know" are all powerfully funky treats to the real deal in live music.

Funk Me Hard is a treasure that is guaranteed to make you want to get up and dance. These archived jewels of music will put you in touch with the indigenous experience of a New Orleans Heartbeat-the incomparable drumbeat of the legendary Zigaboo Modeliste.