The Meters - Crescent City Groove Merchants (1994)

This Charly collection focuses on lesser-known Meters material compiled form their '70s records. That said, it doesn't mean the performances are substandard by any stretch of the imagination. Quite the opposite. There are up-tempo cuts that are more familiar, such as "Big Chief," done deep funk style, as well as "The Meters Jam," and the Fats Domino medley that opens the set. Some of the more polished soul material here works beautifully as well -- check George Porter's "Trip," and the soul classic "It's Too Late" (not the Carole King song). There is also the Meters' signature version of John Lennon and Paul McCartney's "Come Together," a song that lends itself to heavy New Orleans funk if ever there was one.