The Meters – “Cardova” from the album “The Meters”

In the mid-1950s, while still in high school, Art Neville embarked on a solo career around the New Orleans area. He had limited success as a solo performer so enlisted Leo Nocentelli, Joseph “Ziggy” Modeliste and George Porter Jr to form a band – The Neville Sounds.

Allen Toussaint had produced several of Art’s previous recordings so Sansu Enterprises (the production company owned by Allen Toussaint and Marshall Sehorn) booked the band for session work. In spare moments during sessions for Lee Dorsey and Betty Harris they worked out riffs and licks for their club gigs. Toussaint kept the tapes rolling and The Meters as a band was born.
“Sophisticated Cissy” hit the R&B Top 10 and Pop Top 50 in February 1969 and The Meters became Sansu’s hottest act over the next two years!

The Meters

1) Cissy Strut; 2) Here Comes the Meter Man; 3) Cardova; 4) Live Wire; 5) Art; 6) Sophisticated Cissy; 7) Ease Back; 8) 6V6 LA; 9) Sehorn’s Farm; 10) Ann; 11) Stormy; 12) Sing A Simple Song

Art Neville – organ, keyboards
Ziggy Modeliste – drums
Leo Nocentelli – guitar
George Porter Jr. – bass