Review: 'City Country City' by Ricci/Krown

Ricci/Krown

By Mike O’Cull

New Orleans musicians Jason Ricci and Joe Krown, known collectively as the duo Ricci/Krown, completely reinvent the idea of a two-piece roots group on their new release City Country City. Set to drop October 22nd, 2021 on Mike Zito’s Gulf Coast Records, the record pairs up Ricci (harmonica, vocals) and Krown (organ, piano) with noted Big Easy guest drummer Doug Belote for a new-style organ trio session that kicks major backside and flies in the face of every harp-and-guitar duo you’ve ever heard.

No stringed instruments were needed for Ricci/Krown to burn up a stack of hot tracks for City Country City and the change in texture that creates is refreshing and attention-getting. Captured at Jack Miele Production Studios and co-produced by Ricci, Krown, and Miele, City Country City explodes with an innovative take on American music and shows us all just how much territory remains to be explored out there.

Both Ricci and Krown are roots music veterans with big-league skills and solid reputations. Ricci is a multiple Blues Music Award-winner whose sound and feel command much respect in the industry and Krown is a Crescent City legend who is presently the keyboardist in Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s band. Mix in New Orleans drum monster Doug Belote and you get an absolute powder keg of a trio that’s ready and able to explore blues, funk, jazz, or any other style you’d care to name. Ricci is one of the most copied harp players in the business. He spent time living and playing with Junior and David Kimbrough in Mississippi, did sideman duties with Big Al and The Heavyweights, and currently performs with his new band Jason Ricci and The Bad Kind. Krown held down the keyboard spot for Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown from 1992 until Brown passed in 2005 and has also toured with Mavis Staples and Allen Toussaint.

From the opening Hammond organ strains of the title cut “City Country City,” Ricci and Krown take listeners on a melodic and rhythmic excursion like no other. The track blends humid Louisiana grooves with percolating funk, open space, and a willingness to go wherever the moment requires. It’ll slice through the acres of guitar music you listen to like a hot knife and bring you to an understanding of the power of being different. You’ll be hooked at once. Ricci’s harp tone is warm and righteous and Krown’s B3 puts down a chordal environment no fan will want to leave.

“Down and Dirty” rolls into a wonderful shuffle feel that needs no explanation to blues lovers. Krown’s keyboard phrasing is on-point here and he makes the most of drummer Belote’s mighty pocket. Ricci also throws down his own praise-worthy lines and adds in just the right touch of dirt needed to keep the jam lit up. Up close in a New Orleans club, this would be heaven.

“Feel Good Funk” makes good on the promise of its title and features a cool vocal performance from Ricci. The beat is hypnotic to the highest degree and the three players do their level best to make anyone within earshot shake it all the way down to the ground. Ricci’s harmonica soars over the syncopation bubbling below him and Krown’s organ licks match him step-for-step. Grant Green’s “Upshot” is equally kinetic and features more outstanding organ work from Krown. Whether he’s popping out rhythmic chords or spinning articulate jazz-tinged lines, he’s unquestionably masterful.

One of the best cuts on the record is the closer, which is an instrumental cover of Bobbie Gentry’s mysterious masterpiece “Ode To Billy Joe.” The original vibe-filled swamp/pop hit gets funked up and turned into something amazing that you never once thought it could become. Ricci blows the vocal melody on the harp with a lot of the same hazy phrasing as Gentry’s original take and his tone is sweet and clear. It’s the “don’t you dare miss it” song on this set, so you’d best not. All in all, City Country City is the unexpected roots music smash of 2021 and belongs in all of our rotations. There’s simply nothing like it. Ricci/Krown for the win. Highly recommended.

Listen to “Down ‘N Dirty”