Said the late, truly great Morris “B.B.” Dickerson to Rolling Stone magazine circa 1974 “some people call it ‘ass music’…others call it street boogie…rhythm…our rhythm is different.”
As the rhythmic and harmonic anchor of War, a collective which forged a seamless fusion of funk, rock, soul, jazz, Latin, blues, and permutations thereof – B.B. Dickerson grooved a generation. Literally!
Dickerson’s career started in a Harbor City Los Angeles church – singing in the choir. He took up bass and guitar at 12. When his brother Scott returned from Vietnam service, he formed Night Shift – backing NFL football star Deacon Jones who was dabbling in a soul music career. When former Animals singer Eric Burdon caught their act in 1969, he enlisted the ensemble as his backing band. Scott summoned B.B. for the bass chair in the newly christened Eric Burdon & War – and the rest, as they say, is history.
With a Fender Jazz as his primary weapon of choice, B.B. exuded a sharp, blunt tone wherein he worked the pocket and rendered melodies and motifs which served as hooks for the hits and album tracks. An accomplished lead and backing vocalist, B.B.’s lines often danced around the beat with a relaxed Southern Californian vibe: indicative of their environs.
In the hip-hop age, B.B. and War’s grooves provided a bedrock for such artists Kanye West, De La Soul, the Beastie Boys, and Janet Jackson to cite a select few.
Notes War super-fan Reina Laguerra: As one of WAR’S biggest fans it was my extreme honor to get to meet BB and call him my friend. BB was not only a legendary bass player, he’s the one singing lead on one of WAR’S most iconic songs, ‘The World Is A Ghetto’, which was Billboard Album of the Year 1973, and is #444 in Rolling Stone Magazine’s 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time.
“BB”, along with six original members of WAR and Eric Burdon, were the very last artists to jam with Jimi Hendrix the night before he died. WAR has been nominated 3 times for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, only to get snubbed while they induct artists who sample or cover WAR; The Beastie Boys, NWA, Janet Jackson, 2PAC, and others. Because of WAR name legalities back in 1999, by producer Jerry Goldstein, the remaining WAR originals have been divided into two bands that perform WAR music. Goldstein’s faux “WAR” with one original, and the Lowrider Band, what with BB’s passing, is down to three WAR originals. True WAR fans stand with the Lowrider Band. Declare WAR at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame NOW for 2023 induction.
B.B. Dickerson Sound & Vision…
“Spill The Wine” https://youtu.be/3i0DMbCKnAg
“The World is a “Ghetto” https://youtu.be/VIIbT89V7EI
“Where Was You At” https://youtu.be/PSBWtq4evTw
“All Day Music” https://youtu.be/U5pX4mRQcFo
“Cissy Strut,” “Lady Marmalade,” “Right Place Wrong Time” … I feel like I am working towards something that will be remembered….”
A giant of the instrument, an elite bassist whose tone and phrasing renders him recognizable in first measure of any passage he renders, George Joseph Porter Jr. is a founding member of The Meters (with Art Neville, Leo Nocentelli, and Zigaboo Modeliste) and among of the forefathers of the genre referred to as “funk.” Make that ‘Nawlins funk….”
To dig deep into the storied history of The Meters, check out this June 2020 Music Aficionado feature by Jim Farber https://bit.ly/3elIC3L
A composer, solo recording artist, producer, valued sideman, and endlessly sampled player, Porter’s signature style is rooted in his growling split-coil “Precision” tone, staccato phrasing, and his absolute mastery of rhythm and space whilst working in tandem with the kick drum of Zigaboo, or any other cat he’s waxed sides with. Every passage George renders means something rhythmically, harmonically, aesthetically – no filler, no wasted notes….
Porter’s collaborations span Tori Amos, Earl King, Harry Connick, Albert Lee, Lee Dorsey, Irma Thomas, Jimmy Buffett, Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, Sir Paul, David Byrne, LaBelle, Robbie Robertson, Taj Mahal, Joe Cocker, Robert Palmer, Solomon Burke, Willy DeVille, and John Scofield… to cite a ridiculously select few!
When George isn’t in the studio cutting chart topping, watershed sides, he leads his own ensemble Runnin’ Pardners – a staple on the jam band festival circuit.
George Porter Sound and Vision…
The Meters
“Cissy Strut” https://youtu.be/Nd3yDoOyvbY
“Ain’t No Use” https://youtu.be/tKWEL-e4_pc
“Cabbage Alley” https://youtu.be/dL6-2euKSgs
“People Say” https://youtu.be/UpEmtoTv2iw
“Hey Pocky Way” https://youtu.be/eFz9GEYLq80
LaBelle: “Lady Marmalade” https://youtu.be/ku7W0BZcxdw
Dr. John: “Right Place Wrong Time” https://youtu.be/G5zPqgQ67yo
Robert Palmer: “Sailin’ Shoes https://youtu.be/V592ldkLMBs
Robert Palmer: “How Much Fun” https://youtu.be/FWuBeZlyn70
David Byrne: “Hanging Upside Down” https://youtu.be/3o_3CXa1ZDs
Tedeschi Trucks Band: “Ain’t No Use” https://youtu.be/VqwhwtlvXYo
Solo George “Woogie Boogie” from his Runnin’ Partner slab https://youtu.be/2JbIQvWB-Ac
Tori Amos “Professional Window” https://youtu.be/5ImEt52CxVY
Harry Connick “Booker” https://youtu.be/Bs6i5R_waPY
Courtesy of George Porter Jr Com