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CONCERT REVIEWS / ALBUM REVIEWS / JOHN BOUTTE / THE BAND
The Louisiana Weekly
http://www.louisianaweekly.com/
January 6, 2003Jazz City: The Top Ten Shows of 2002
John Boutté & Uptown Okra -May 4 -Jazz FestBoutté is one of our secret weapons. Everyone knows his style on New Orleans classics, but to hear him on the bluegrass/county -inflected songs of Uptown Okra really shows his range. He even covers Neil Young's "Southern Man" along with "Blue Moon of Kentucky." The band is top notch as well -another only-in-New Orleans hybrid is born.
-Jay Mazza
Gambit Weekly
http://www.bestofneworleans.com
June 11, 2002Hot Seven
John Boutté & Uptown OkraOne of the best sets at this year's Jazz Fest was the hootenanny thrown on the Lagniappe Stage by Uptown Okra (with John Boutté), the born-in-New Orleans bluegrass ensemble that's quickly grown from a charming novelty into a formidable, syncopated acoustic quintet. Mandolinist Nick Backer and guitarist Brian Siegel are stylish pickers, and the rhythm section of drummer Danny Devillier and bassist Sam Price can nail a jug-band breakdown and a New Orleans shuffle. But the real kicker? These guys can sing, whether it's soulful tenor lead vocals or harmony choruses. Those talents are on display on the band's debut CD, Potluck Dinner, and in their live shows, where their unexpected but eminently soulful collaboration with singer John Boutté shines a new light on standards like "Blue Moon of Kentucky."
-Scott Jordan
The Times-Picayune
http://www.nola.com
May 10, 2002JazzFest Ender
Best of the '02 FestFans accustomed to singer John Boutté tearing up the gospel and jazz tents found him in a much different setting at the Lagniappe Stage on May 4. Backed by the mandolin, guitar, stand-up bass and drums of Uptown Okra, Boutté dug into Huey "Piano" Smiths "Cuckoo Over You" and the bluegrass standards "City of New Orleans" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky." Boutté and the band spurred each other on, finding common ground well worth exploring.
-Keith Spera
Gambit Weekly
http://bestofneworleans.com
May 14, 2002Hot Spot
Most Unappreciated StageIntroducing the Joe Krown Organ Combo, the announcer at the Lagniappe Stage declared, "We don't have the biggest bands, just the best bands." And Krown's searing set wasn't the only Lagniappe act to live up to that proclamation. Time and again, the stage tucked in the Grandstage was witness to some electrifying moments, including All That's roaring sousaphonk assault and Uptown Okra and John Boutté's rousing sing-a-longs.
-Frank Etheridge
CONCERT REVIEWS / ALBUM REVIEWS / JOHN BOUTTE / THE BAND
