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Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award-Winner and original member of The Meters George Porter Jr. has released his compelling music video for “Crying For Hope”, the title track of his recent studio album. The video’s dynamic, contemplative visuals evoke the complexities of the song’s call to action. It premiered exclusively via Billboard, who praised the track, calling it, “a powerful anthem that combines the signature sound of Porter’s iconic funk group The Meters with a message of resistance and urgency for 2021.”
Porter says of the social justice anthem: “‘Crying For Hope’ was inspired by the continued racial tension in our country. I wrote the song from my own pain and experience watching the events of last summer. I really just wanted to be able to feel hopeful for the future. I think the video captures both feelings of the song, the seriousness of the issue and that feeling of hope and change we all wish for.”
Crying For Hope was Porter’s first studio release since 2015 with his longtime touring project the Runnin’ Pardners, which now features Porter on bass, Michael Lemmler on keys, Chris Adkins on guitar and Terrence Houston on drums. Released in March 2021 via Controlled Substance Sound Labs/Color Red, the album showcases a mix of unreleased Pardners tunes, robust new anthems and purely instrumental funk. The band collaborated remotely during the pandemic to re-record and mix the album’s 12 songs, culminating in Porter & the Runnin Pardners’ most compelling release to date.
George Porter Jr & Runnin’ Pardners will perform in support of the new album at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival’s triumphant 2021 return in October. In addition to his weekly hometown shows at the Maple Leaf Bar every Monday, Porter will perform several additional tour dates this month:
July 2021 Tour Dates
July 8 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Pour House
July 9 – Asheville, NC – Salvage Station
July 10 – Winston-Salem, NC – A Marvelous Affair @ Rootdown
July 11 – Baltimore, MD – Mother’s Federal Hill Grille
July 14-17 – Port Chester, NY – Garcia’s at the Capitol Theatre
July 18 – New York, NY – The Stand (Upstairs)
July 19 – Redding, CT – Milestone
“[Porter] is continuing to keep his message of struggle, perseverance, comfort and rejuvenation at the forefront of a movement driven by a belief that music is the ultimate requital and The Meters’ pioneering funk sound is the rhythm that fuels the march toward change, one beat at a time.” – Billboard
“George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners Crying For Hope is a stout top to bottom return as the New Orleans outfit delivers the funky goods.” – Glide Magazine
“… a tour-de-force album [that] simultaneously reaches back into funk history while establishing a new standard for modern-day recording techniques.”
– Offbeat Magazine
“Crying for Hope firmly reminds listeners that Porter still has a lot of funking left in him and that you would be wise to listen up.” – Antigravity Magazine
“Porter proves that he’s skilled at vintage and modern funk on this top notch adventure.” – Take Effect
“… the band showcases its mastery of New Orleans funk.” – Gambit Weekly
“[Crying for Hope] released on marbled vinyl the color of carefree blue skies. The music reaches for sonic nirvana to match, even while some of Porter’s songs strive to exorcise worldly woes.” – Illinois Entertainer
