 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
CONCERT REVIEWS / ALBUM REVIEWS / JOHN BOUTTE / THE BAND
Gambit Weekly
http://bestofneworleans.com
May 1, 2003Jazz Fest Preview: Critic's Pick
John Boutté
John Boutté has one of the most beautiful, soulful voices in the country. He's part of the world-renowned Boutté family (Lillian and Sista Teedy are also members) and is equally at home singing jazz standards such as "I Cover the Waterfront" and soul hits including "A Change is Gonna Come." His recent stellar partnership with bluegrass/country outfit Uptown Okra shows that Boutté can sing any genre in his gospel-tinged New Orleans voice.
-Count Basin
Blues Access
http://www.bluesaccess.com
Summer 2001John Boutté
At the Foot of Canal StreetOh, that voice! When John Boutté sings, he aptly illustrates the old "that voice is a gift from God" metaphor. The accolades and descriptive adjectives could flow endlessly, and simply using the clichés of "beautiful" or "angelic" somehow don't suffice.
Boutté's blend of soul, gospel and jazz embodies the essence of soul -not strictly as a definition of genre, but with a clear, warm and enchanting voice that will vibrate the string inside you that connects your heart to the universe. If he can't make you happy, nobody can. There are few blessed beings who can sing so wonderfully: contemporary singers like pop diva Whitney Houston, soul men Smokey Robinson and Aaron Neville, and Raol Malo of the Mavericks. They have that incredible voice, but their material does not always please roots & blues-oriented ears.
Along comes Boutté, from the French Quarter of New Orleans, with his androgynous voice and soulful gentleness that transcends both gender and stylistic confines. His CD, At the Foot of Canal Street , reflects Boutté's New Orleans heritage, with its potent amalgam of styles and musical genres. The Big Easy's musical gumbo has embodied the essence of true cultural integration over the years, melting Anglo, French, African, Caribbean, Spanish and Latin influences, and Boutté has seemingly soaked it all in. Indeed, he raised quite a sensation on Cubanismo!'s In New Orleans: Mardi Gras Mambo. If you're from anywhere outside of New Orleans, this cultural leap from the Crescent City to Havana would seem like quite a feat for a singer from an old New Orleans Creole family, but most natives wouldn't even raise an eyebrow.
It would be easy to introduce this singer to new audiences by drawing comparisons to the likes of Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson and Jimmy Scott, but in all fairness, Boutté deserves respect for his individuality. His song writing and arranging are also worthy of praise: His two original compositions "Sisters" and "At the Foot of Canal Street" (co-written with Paul Sanchez of New Orleans rock band Cowboy Mouth), point to an awesome talent.
Boutté fronts a tight and versatile band, with Loren Pickford on piano, alto saxophone and flute, Bill Huntington on bass, John Bagnato on guitar and Joe Vinnitteli at the drums. The feeling here is relaxed, comfortable and in an easy groove, though Boutté gets dramatic on Louis Bonfa's suave "Black Orpheus." The singer delivers an amazing version of Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come," heartfelt and spiritual. He also arranged four traditionals, including a surprising "Battle Hymn of the Republic," which ends up fitting into the same sophisticated-but-approachable lilting jazz/soul groove of this album.
Gershwin's "Someone to Watch Over Me" and Naomi Neville (Allen Toussaint)'s "All These Things" round out a smash success by one of the finest, most elegant and sensitive vocalists in America today.
-Frank Matheis, as published in Blues Access Magazine.
Gambit Weekly
http://bestofneworleans.com
May 4, 2002Jazz Fest Preview: Critic's Pick
John BouttéVocalist John Boutté is one of New Orleans' treasures, capable of singing anything from jazz standards, R&B, gospel, and even roots music (he collaborates with local bluegrass/country group Uptown Okra) with passion and drama. Boutté was also the featured vocalist on the recent Mardi Gras Mambo, the album collaboration between Cubanismo! and a host of New Orleans musicians.
-David Lee Simmons
For more press on John Boutté:
http://www.johnboutte.com/reviews.htm
CONCERT REVIEWS / ALBUM REVIEWS / JOHN BOUTTE / THE BAND
