Cabbage Alley

When the Meters moved from their bankrupted indie label Josie to Warner Bros for 1972's Cabbage Alley, they shifted from funky instrumentals to soulful vocalizing. Leading the way in this new direction was guitarist Leo Nocentelli, who wrote or co-wrote most of these songs. True to Nocentelli's New Orleans origins, a spirit of jocular abandon winds its way throughout this album. Among the most notable examples are the chugging and infectious "Soul Island," inspired by a tour of the Caribbean, and the midtempo grit of a dance theme called "Do the Dirt." Elsewhere, Nocentelli's compositions include the psychedelic soul of "Stay Away" and "The Flower Song," a romantic instrumental tailor-made for a candlelit dinner. Altering this carefree atmosphere are a pair of consciousness-raising tracks: "You've Got to Change (You've Got to Reform)" and the Band-like poignancy of "Lonesome and Unwanted People," featuring keyboardist Art Neville's soulful vocals. Neville's contributions also include his cover of Neil Young's "Birds" and a rewrite of Professor Longhair's "Hey Now Baby" that doubles as the rollicking title track. [Some reissues add "Chug Chug Chug-A-Lug (Push and Shove), Pts. I & 2" to the program.] ~ Rovi Staff