Offbeat--Jazz Fest 2007
Krown’s choice of songs explains the album’s title, Old Friends. “My Blue Heaven” and “Lipstick Traces” are played like the standards they have become with nothing new or radical, just good New Orleans style piano playing and unobtrusive drums and well-placed guitar. Even the originals songs sound familiar without being pedestrian. “Old Friends” takes on the air of old, regal blues such as “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out,” while if the Andrews or Pfister Sisters started harmonizing on the chorus of “The Royal Boogie,” they wouldn’t sound out of place. It is a rare record where the quality and playing of originals match up to standards made famous by Shirley and Lee or Benny Spellman, but this release is one where they more than hold up.--David Kunian

Gambit Weekly--June 21, 2005
Over the past five years, a new generation of Hammond B-3 driven funk bands has evolved out of New Orleans. The best representatives are Papa Grows Funk, Ivan Neville's Dumpsta Phunk and the Joe Krown Organ Combo and the music is a new stream, outside the long-standard influence of the Jimmy's (McGriff & Smith). It's music is inspired by Booker T., the Meters and the Crusaders. It is instrumental music compactly designed in the manner of what used to be called radio friendly pop tunes.
Livin' Large is Krown's fourth Organ Combo release. This time around, Krown's arrangements are tighter and better focused. Krown, who writes most of the tracks, has a knack for constructing songs around catchy melodic hooks. The band's interaction is clockwork. These songs are blueprints for extended live improvisation, but there's something to be said for the concise nature of their bare bones elements.--John Swenson

Jam Bands.com--June 6, 2005
Known by many as Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown's longtime sideman, Joe Krown has forged his own path in recent years, exploring the realm of organ-fueled funk. With his Hammond B-3 and a couple of Leslies in tow, Krown has become one of the city's most respected organists. His skills are readily apparent on two of the better songs on Livin' Large, as he winds snaking solos through "New Finish" and swirling lines shoot across the classic New Orleans backbeat of "Under The Influence." By refusing to hog the spotlight, Krown leans heavily on his bandmates for inspiration, and as a result, each number on Livin' Large sinks or swims as a team effort. Each musician seemingly plays a vital role in the creative process, and everyone listens to one another to build a true ensemble performance. The end result of such tactics is an album that sound more like a band than a star vehicle, featuring music that appears genuine, natural, and ego-free. --Brian Ferdman

Blues & Soul Records Magazine, May 2005--Japan
There are numbers of wonderful funk bands in the Big Easy, but what makes this combo special from the others is that the band as a whole builds numbers of catchy riffs and mellow grooves rather than to go into sharp interplays by the individual members. All the tunes except track 6, a Crusaders cover, are originals, but they all are equally good and impressive. you can hear the strong influences from the Meters in between the rhythms and the way the key changes. Like the last album by the group, it is suitable for your drive on the freeway. -Skunk Chikano

Where Y'at Magazine--April 2005
It doesn't get much better than hearing a master go to town on a vintage organ. New Orleans reisdent Joe Krown lays down the Friday-night funk on Livin Large. With his seven piece combo, Krown blazes throught eleven instrumental tracks of original, up tempo groove. It is easy to see why the Combo delivers one of the most consistently entertaining shows in the city.

Beat Street--Jazzfest 2005
Livin' Large lives up to it's name. The title track "Livin' Large" and "Under the Influence" beg to be listened to over and over. Livin' Large will bounce your head and tap your feet for you. This is tasty stuff. Joe Krown's music comes alive with Livin' Large.

Times Picayune--February 2005
The Combo's new, sixth CD Livin' Large is like it's predecessors, a study in tidy groove-centric instrumental jazz-funk. The Combo serves up it up with deft musicianship, flattering arrangements, an easy camaraderie and deep grooves.

Gambit Weekly-- Jazzfest 2003
Piano man and organ wizard Krown leads this tough as nails band through classic hammond B-3 driven funk, blues and R&B grooves. But Krown is a prolific and engaging composer too, and original burners like "Mud Flaps" on the Organ Combo's most recent CD, Funkyard show this formidable ensemble bringing their own musical recipes to the table. --Scott Jordan

Where Y'at Magazine--Jazzfest 2003
The Joe Krown Organ Combo is one of New Orleans premiere live groups. They have a classic sound that seamlessly integrates jazz, funk, blues and soul music in a way that nobody in town can touch! With the suberb touch of Krown on the keys and some of the hippest sidemen in the city in tow, these gents are an unbeatable combination. --Michael Dominici

Blues & Soul Records Magazine, Issue #51 (June, 2003)--Japan
Krown has a new one of his own which is an instrumental album exuding the smell of funky jazz. Some Meters influences can be heard and plenty of jam band style playing included. This album with a set of medium tempo funk numbers may be best treat to listen to on your car stereo while cruising on freeways at dawn, rather
than while kicking back in your living room. "Skunk" Chikano

Gambit Weekly--Best of 2002  (#4)
Funk Yard packs the most memorable hooks and assured grooves of Krown's to date. From the title track to aptly named instrumentals like "Mud Flaps" and "The Wiggle," Krown's Hammond B-3 grooves grease the tracks for guitarist John Fohl and saxophonist Brent Rose to lay down some inspired solos of their own, sounding like a New Orleans-inspired version of Booker T. & the MGs.

Offbeat Magazine--Critic's Choice Best of 2002
"This is a group of seasoned musicians who know how to play as an ensemble and how to lock into a groove tighter than a pit bull on the mailperson's leg!"

Times Picayune--Best of 2002 (#15)
Joe Krown plays all sides of the keyboard: Blues 'n' roots as a longtime member of Gatemouth Brown's band, jazz piano as a solo artist and groove-centric funk/jazz with the Joe Krown Organ Combo. On the combo's third release, "Funk Yard," Krown tightened its focus by sticking to the Booker T organ-combo blueprint, as revised by the Meters. "Funk Yard" opens with the percolating title track, Brent Rose's saxophone tracing Krown's Hammond A-100 organ, then eases into "Mud Flaps," another Krown original. Nine more instrumentals follow, demonstrating that Krown and company have learned the lessons of Booker T very well.

Offbeat -- Krown's twin Leslies are screaming and so is the rest of the band. This is a group of seasoned musicians who know how to play as an ensemble and how to lock into a groove tighter than a pit bull on a mailperson's leg. Wailing saxaphone treatments, fiery guitar playing and Krown's usual brilliant tasteful organ playing are all over this album.-- Richard J. Skelly click for full review

Gritz.net -- For you lovers of the sound of the Hammond organ being played in the tradition of Groove Holmes, Jimmy Smith, and Brother Jack McDuff, this is one CD you need to get. "Funk Yard" is a fun and, yes, groovin' CD. If you find yourself in New Orleans be sure and check the listings to see if these cats are playing somewhere.
- Derek Halsey - Gritz.net  (click for full review)

Times Picayune -- The Joe Krown Organ Combo lays down one killer Hammond B-3 groove after another--Keith Spera.

Gambit Weekly -- The Joe Krown Organ Combo comes through in Funk Yard with assured and tight grooves for Krown's most cohesive and and rewarding CD yet -- Scott Jordan

Where Y'at Magazine -- If you like sizzling hot Hammond B-3 music then this is where it's at! Joe Krown's Organ Combo throw down infectious jump-jazz inspired by Jimmy Smith, Art Neville, Bill Doggett and the Blue Note-school giants fueled with the grit and intensity that he's absorbed from years of propelling Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown's Big Band to greatness. Tenorman Brent Rose adds even more to this way- cool combo.

Gambit Weekly --With the equally solid rhythm section of George Porter (the Meters) and Herman Ernest (Dr. John), Krown feels free to employ a wide swath of textures and techniques including full-nelson swells, funky drunken-jaywalking progressions, gospel tinges, mambo rhythms, and big-band swing workouts on Buckle Up

Blues Revue -- Krown swings hard on the blues while seamlessly blending the church and the street

Where Y'at Magazine -- Krown's brand of funk is smooth, clean and occasionally bad ass. Sometimes he is so professional that he kind of sneaks up on you and knocks you out before you even had a chance. I like that approach. Funk Yard is a top-notch effort.-- Michael Dominici

TimesPicayune -- Krown is well aquainted with the concept of groove on Buckle Up, but it's Krown's Hammond B-3 and songwriting that are the stars.

Jazz Times -- Buckle Up burns a blue streak

Blues & Soul (Japanese Blues) -- Down & Dirty is an enjoyable collection of blues & R&B filled with New Orleans R&B flavor. Krown's playing is very tasty.

Offbeat -- Just the Piano...Just the Blues is a warm collection of blues, boogie-woogie and New Orleans piano instrumentals.

Big City Blues -- Just the Piano...Just the Blues is a bare bones and unadomed blues piano CD, infused woth decades of New Orleans history.