Spelbinding, electric, inspiring, political and full of soul.
He's the concience of New Orleans. Wait, let me put that another way, he's the voice of New Orleans reminding the concience of America (what's left of it) that the current government has abandoned an entire city and left it in ruins.
He reprised the version of Randy Newman's "Louisiana" as he did at 2006's New Orleans Jazzfest in which he changed the lyrics from "Six feet of water in Evangeline" to "Six feet of water in the lower nine." As he continued to sing the song and bring the lyrics up to date, people openly wept in the audience.
He was the highlight of the day.
So far, John Boutte has been the highlight of the entire festival for me.
ReplyDeleteNot that Lurrie Bell et al are slouches, John just kind of snuck up on me. Check him out if you can.
john boutte songs reached in and broke my heart. I sat mesmerized, on the portland spirit, which now and forever, will have more spirit.
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