Joe Krown

Joe Krown Trio +1 feat. Papa Mali

Sledgehammer Blues

Joe Krown is a celebrated musician and bandleader based in New Orleans, Louisiana, renowned for his mastery of the organ and piano. Krown played keyboards for Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown from 1992 until Brown’s passing in September 2005. With Gatemouth, Krown shared the stage with icons such as Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton, Dr. John, and Buddy Guy.

Krown first formed the Joe Krown Organ Combo in 1999 and has since become a fixture at legendary New Orleans venues including the Maple Leaf Bar, House of Blues, Tipitina’s, Le Bon Temps Roule, and DBA. The Combo is also a regular presence at the French Quarter Festival and made its European debut in 2001 at Ingolstadt Jazztage in Germany. Joe was later featured in the Solid Blues Tour in 2007, performing alongside Mavis Staples, Charlie Musselwhite, and the North Mississippi All-Stars.

His solo piano work has been highlighted on albums such as 1998’s Just the Piano…Just the Blues, 2003’s Orleans Piano Rolls, and 2012’s Exposed. Krown’s collaborative spirit continued in 2018 when he formed the Ricci Krown Trio with harmonica virtuoso Jason Ricci and drummer Doug Belote. Over the years, he has performed with a pantheon of musical greats including Johnny Adams, Marcia Ball, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, C.J. Chenier, Marva Wright, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. His extensive recording credits also include Luther “Guitar Jr.” Johnson, Zigaboo Modeliste, Kid Ramos, Bobby Charles, Raful Neal, and many others.

On Qualified, Joe Krown plays piano, organ, and Wurlitzer electric piano. He is joined by Casandra Faulconer on bass and background vocals, Eric Bolivar on drums and background vocals, Papa Mali on guitar and vocals, and special guests Jason Mingledorff on tenor and baritone sax, Mark Mullins on trombone, Cyril Neville on vocals, and Jack Miele on backing vocals.

Qualified opens with Krown’s piano on the Mac Rebennack (Dr. John) and Jessie Hill original first released in 1973. Papa Mali sings, “your steak ain’t no hipper than my porckchop, your Cadillac ain’t no hipper than my bus stop, I tell you now, I’m qualified, you know where I’m comin’ from.”

“Junco Partner,” written by Robert Shad and dating back to 1951, was later covered by Professor Longhair and James Booker. Papa Mali shouts, “Oh, he’s loaded as he can be, the poor man’s knocked out, knocked out loaded, and he’s wobbling all down the street.”

On “Mess Around,” written by Ahmet Ertegun and first performed by Ray Charles in 1953, Papa Mali again handles the vocals. The track is a joyful New Orleans boogie celebration urging listeners to dance and “everybody do the Mess Around.”

“Fortune Teller,” credited to Naomi Neville (a pseudonym for Allen Toussaint), was first recorded by Benny Spellman in 1962. Cyril Neville takes the vocal, singing, “I went to the fortune teller, to have my fortune read, I didn’t want to tell her I had a dizzy feeling in my head.”

“Going Down,” another Allen Toussaint composition, features Papa Mali singing over Krown’s organ work: “Don’t get in too deep brother, don’t get in too heavy, don’t get so you can’t move about.”

“Mardi Gras In New Orleans,” also known as “Go To The Mardi Gras,” is a Professor Longhair classic. Papa Mali chants, “While you stroll in New Orleans, you ought to go see the Mardi Gras,” while Krown drives the tune with a distinctive rhumba piano beat.

Two Papa Mali originals follow: the instrumental “Neckbone,” which showcases Krown’s brilliant organ work, and “Honey Bee,” where Mali sings, “Honey bee won’t you walk with me.”

“Cry To Me,” written by Bert Russell and first recorded by Solomon Burke, blends country, R&B, and gospel. Papa Mali delivers the soulful vocal: “When your baby, leaves you all alone and nobody calls you on the phone, don’t you feel like crying…honey, c’mon cry to me.”

“Under The Influence” is a Krown instrumental that highlights his commanding keyboard touch, bolstered by an excellent horn arrangement.

The album closes with “Last Train,” from Allen Toussaint’s 1975 Southern Nights. Papa Mali croons, “Last train a-running between the waters…last chance to get your last thrill.”

With nine albums released under his own name, Joe Krown stands as a pillar of New Orleans music, continually inspiring audiences around the world with his soulful playing and dedication to the city’s rich musical legacy. Qualified is another joyful reminder of why that legacy remains alive and thriving.

Richard Ludmerer

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