Yeah, You Right: Joe Krown

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Published on: July 10th, 2009

In our "Yeah, You Right!" interview series, we toss 20 rapid-fire questions at some of the New Orleans music scene's brightest stars. Some of their answers will surprise you, so sit back and enjoy the ride!

This week's guest is pianist/Hammond B-3 organist Joe Krown. Chances are, if you've seen live music in New Orleans, you've seen Joe. Whether it's one of his trio gigs with Walter "Wolfman" Washington and Russell Batiste, his Organ Combo, or his weekly solo piano shows at Le Bon Temps Roulé (with free oysters!), you know you're getting some of the funkiest keys in New Orleans.

Joe rose to fame in the band of Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, where he held down the piano chair for over a dozen years until Brown's passing in 2005. He's shared the stage with the likes of Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton, Ike Turner, Jimmy McGriff, Melvin Sparks, Dr. John, and George Porter, Jr., and that's just scratching the surface. He's also been a headliner at every Jazz Fest for the past 12 years.

Here's what Joe had to say in between criss-crossing town on his perpetual gigging tour of the Crescent City.


Q: Crystal or Louisiana Hot Sauce?
A: Crystal.

Q: Zapp’s or Tater Tots?
A: Zapp's.

Q: Mint Julep or Hurricane?
A: I don't drink.

Q: Beach or pool?
A: Beach.

Q: Concert hall or nightclub?
A: Nightclub.

Q: Congo Square Stage or Acura Stage?
A: Congo Square.

Q: iTunes or Louisiana Music Factory?
A: Louisiana Music Factory.

Q: Wynton Marsalis or Lil’ Wayne?
A: Wynton.

Q: Aretha or Mahalia?
A: Aretha.

Q: Samuel L. Jackson or Will Smith?
A: Tough one — Will Smith.

Q: Lost or the Food Network?
A: Neither.

Q: The Daily Show or CNN?
A: CNN.

Q: Facebook or MySpace?
A: Neither.

Q: TV or radio?
A: TV.

Q: Books or magazines?
A: Books.

Q: SUV or Prius?
A: SUV.

Q: 1970s or 80s?
A: 1980's.

Q: NBA or NFL?
A: NFL.

Q: The Godfather or the Godfather of Soul?
A: Godfather of Soul.

Q: French Quarter or Uptown?
A: Uptown.
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Comments

GREAT feature. Keep it up.

-Knowing what it means to miss New Orleans

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