By the Mighty Delaware

Foto By Suzy Perler

Just killing a little time in New Hope before the show at the new Hope Winery.

Jorma Kaukonen 25, 2018
Jorma Solo
New Hope Winery
New Hope, Pennsylvania
Wednesday, August 1, 2018

First Set:
1. Dime For Beer
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Been So Long
4. River Of Time
5. Barbeque King
6. Full Go Round
7. Sea Child
8. Trial By Fire
9. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
10. Big River Blues
11. How Long Blues
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
2. Second Chances
3. Ain’t In No Hurry
4. Serpent Of Dreams
5. San Francisco Bay Blues
6. Come Back Baby
7. I Am The Light Of This World
8. Sleep Song
9. Good Shepherd
10. Watch The North Wind Rise
11. Whining Boy Blues
12. I Know You Rider
13. Encore: Water Song

Holding forth in New Hope

Foto by Dennis Kane

Thursday we were heading out to the end of Long Island for an AISH event and on the way, we stopped to pay our respects at Rev. Gary Davis’ grave not far from Rockville Center.

Rev. Davis... what an artist!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Jorma Kaukonen 26, 2018
Jorma Solo
Watermill, New York
Thursday, August 2, 2018

1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Second Chances
3. Hesitation Blues
4. How Long Blues
5. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
6. Barbeque King
7. Things That Might Have Been
8. I Am The Light Of This World
9. Good Shepherd

Pickin' in the barn

Foto by Phil Jacobs

The AISH was awesome… good folks and a good cause.

Thursday the First was Jerry Garcia’s birthday. We all miss that guy. I was reminded of my answer to a question I was asked at the Dear Jerry show in Meriweather Post some years ago. “If you could write a note to Jerry today, what would you say?’

‘I bet you wish you were here!’

Meanwhile… back in Times Square… I’m working on my Audio Book…

Good times…

Saturday Myron and I drove 590 miles from the Fur Peace Ranch to Ronkonkoma. We barely stopped for gas on that run, so hen se go to the hotel we were starving. Fortunately, right next to the hotel was this:

Tasted like there, but it was here!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

La Villetta was quite simply… awesome! What a way to end the drive up!

Sunday we checked out of the hotel and drove to the venue in Patchogue. As an honorary Long Islander, there were lots of old friends as well as new!

Chewing the fat with Devon Allman

Photographer unknown

I brought a box of the great Hot Tuna vinyl reissue of the first LP, and Jack and I signed them for the Company Store at the Fur Peace Ranch.

John Hancock time...

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

It was a great hang. Got to hear my old pal Michael Falzarano as well as all the other great acts. We also got a little time to actually check our stuff out on stage before our set. Rare in a festival situation.

Eh?

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Then our moment came…

Lovely evening spot...

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 20, 2018
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
The Great South Bay Music Festival
Patchogue, N.Y.
Sunday, July 15, 2018

1. Been So Long
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. I Wish You Would
5. Sleep Song
6. Trial By Fire
7. Bowlegged Woman
8. Come Back Baby

Dicky Betts and the guys were coming on after us but they had some setup problems and Myron and I had to leave before their set.

Life on the road

Foto by Myron Hart

Myron and I slept for some hours off of I-78 and then made it home. A fine surgical strike of music.

More anon!

Well, last night Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley came to our little corner of the universe and made a whole lot of people, including me and Vanessa very happy with their magnificent show. I got to briefly share the stage with Rob and Trey at the Folk Alliance in Kansas City, MO earlier this year. I’ve known Rob for some time now and have always admired his technical mastery of the dobro that was always deeply marinated with soul. Getting to know Trey both musically and personally was equally a treat! This gentleman’s guitar playing is stratospheric to say the least! That said, the song always comes first with him and never gets lost in the notes. I love these guys!

Rob and Trey bordered by my 1961 Fender Super

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Marginal foto I know, but I left my camera with the long lens in the house. What a show!

Me, Rob, Trey, Wally and Vanessa

Photographer lost in antiquity

Now to back up a little… I opened the show for the guys, and here is my set list.

Jorma Kaukonen 24
Jorma Solo
The Fur Peace Station
Darwin, Ohio
Saturday, June 30, 2018

1. Dime For Beer
2. Heart Temporary
3. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
4. Barbeque King
5. Sleep Song
6. Watch The North Wind Rise
7. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
8. San Francisco Bay Blues
9. Bar Room Crystal Ball
10. Water Song
11. That’ll Never Happen No More

When Rob and Trey came out for their much deserved encore, they honored my by inviting me to share it with them and we did an outstanding (If I do say so myself) version of Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out.

The guys stayed over at the Fur Peace Ranch and while Nessa was fixing a yummy breakfast for everyone Maverick, the Big Dog, and I took a walk.

Early morning on the old road

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Nothing like a morning walk with one of your best pals!

The Big Guy

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Well, Rob and Trey are off to Maggie Valley, NC and I think I’ll go outside in with by the pool for a while before it gets too hot.

Onward!

Best pizza in Cowtown...

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Natalie’s Coal Fired Pizza is a more than delightful venue and a really good restaurant that is technically in Worthington, although it’s all Columbus to country boys like me. This is my second trip to Natalie’s, and I look forward to the next one. Now, not a day goes by that I don’t spend a lot of time maintaining my relationship with my guitars, but it’s not the same thing as gigging. I’ve been home for a while and as much as I love being home with the family, sometimes I feel as if my identity is beginning to suffer when I don’t get to play for an audience. This was just the remedy I needed! Plus, there were two shows on this night… both sold out!

Jorma Kaukonen 22, 2018
Jorma Solo
Natalie’s Coal Fired Pizza
Worthington, Ohio
Tuesday, June 12, 2018

First Show:

1. Dime For Beer
2. Serpent Of Dreams
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Search My Heart
5. Been So Long
6. Barbeque King
7. How Long Blues
8. Sleep Song
9. Trial By Fire
10. River Of Time
11. Candy Man
12. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
13. Heart Temporary
14. I Am The Light of This World
15. Trouble In Mind
16. I Know You Rider
17. Encore: Embryonic Journey

Since I’m not eating carbs right now, I feasted on a giant meatball between shows… Beef, pork an lamb… Deeeelicious!!!

Jorma Kaukonen 23, 2018
Natalie’s Coal Fired Pizza
Worthington, Ohio
Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Second Show:
1. Whining Boy Blues
2. True Religion
3. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
4. I See The Light
5. How Long Blues
6. Prohibition Blues
7. Come Back Baby
8. San Francisco Bay Blues
9. Sea Child
10. Watch The North Wind Rise
11. Good Shepherd
12. That’ll Never Happen No More
13. Things That Might Have Been
14. Re-Enlistment Blues
15. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
16. Encore: Water Song

The weather held until I was driving home… and then it was beyond torrential. Fortunately, in addition to my Daylighter headlights, I have a killer light bar!

What's not to like about a Jeep?

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Now I know that a light bar like this is not street legal, but it sure saved my bacon coming home on Rt. 33 at 0100 Wednesday morning. You just couldn’t see more that 20 feet in front of you with only the LED headlights.

Good times…

Yesterday I went up to Dan Earlewine’s shop in Athens, Ohio where a new set of engraved Waverly tuners were waiting for me. Susan from Stewart-MacDonald was shooting a video for Dan and Stewmack and we had a blast with it. My new tuners are mighty sexy too… guitar geekery… gotta love it.

Tomorrow is the beginning of another great weekend at the Fur Peace Ranch and Saturday night Peter Rowan and some of his pals will be holding forth at the Station.

Well, it’s a beautiful day today… I think I’ll go for a ride… without rainsuit!

Vroooom….

The eagles gather on Friday...

Drone foto by Jorma Kaukonen

After a stop at the Cherry St. Pub in Lancaster for a steak… we beat feet on up to Heath, Ohio Thursday night and got to the Jubilee early on Friday.

Our backstage tent at the festival

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Then it was time to rock!

Preflight Check

Photo by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 18, 2018
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
Dark Star Jubilee
Thornville, Ohio
Friday, May 25, 2018

1. True Religion
2. I See The Light
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. Can’t Get Satisfied
5. Living Just For You
6. Roads And Roads &
7. Rock Me Baby
8. Bowlegged Woman
9. Sleep Song
10. Trial By Fire
11. Walkin’ Blues
12. Talkin’ Bout You
13. Funky #7

The Beano sings

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Saturday the weather was beautiful until we finished our set.

The calm before the storm

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 19, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
Dark Star Jubilee
Thornville, Ohio
Saturday, May 26, 2018

1. Dime For Beer
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Search My Heart
4. Been So Long
5. Barbeque King
6. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
7. Serpent Of Dreams
8. San Francisco Bay Blues
9. Sea Child
10. Watch The North Wind Rise
11. Good Shepherd
12. How Long Blues
13. That’ll Never Happen No More
14. I Am The Light Of This World
15. Water Song
With Los Lobos:
1. The Neighborhood
2. Papa Was A Rolling Stone
3. One Way Out
With Dark Star Orchestra:
1. 3/5ths Of A Mile In 10 Seconds
2. White Rabbit

I did get to fly my drone before Los Lobos and the storm set in.

Nothing but blue skies... for a while...

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

Los Lobos got a couple of songs into their set… and then… the storm.

This was a real gully washer!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

The rain passed… they reset the stage and I got to sit in with David and the guys.

What a treat!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Then DSO took the stage and Jack and I had the honor of sitting in with them!

3/5's and White Rabbit

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Another great Jubilee… Our heartfelt thanks to the Dark Star Folks for inviting us. If DSO wants us… we’re there!!

Onward!

We’ve had so much going on at the Ranch non-stop since the season opened that it’s nice to take a little break. Of course, I’m up here in Thornville, Ohio for Dark Star’s Jubilee… so it’s not like I’m doing nothing. My daughter just finished seventh grade with straight A’s. She didn’t get that from me… that’s for sure. Anyway, last weekend at the Fur Peace Ranch it was Pat Donohue, G.E.Smith and myself. Pat was the Big Dog on stage that night and G.E. and myself went on first.

G.E. surrounded by age and beauty!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Jorma Kaukonen 21, 2016
Jorma With G.E. Smith
Fur Peace Ranch Station
Darwin , Ohio
Saturday, May 19, 2018

1. Dime For Beer… Jorma solo
2. Sleep song… Jorma solo
3. Trial By Fire… Jorma Solo
4. Come Back Baby… Jorma with G.E.
5. Kentucky Blues… G.E. with Jorma
6. Re-Enlistment Blues… Jorma with G.E.
7. G.E. Buffalo Skinners… G.E.
8. Whining Boy Blues… Jorma with G.E.
9. Dark As A Dungeon… G.E.
10. Search My Heart… Jorma with G.E.
11. Ballad Of Pancho & Lefty… G.E.
12. The Automatic… G.E. with Jorma

We had a blast with this set! We also got to sit in with Pat on Deep River Blues and Teenage Wedding. Thanks for gracing us with our presence Pat… Good times. You too G.E. Always!

The Class of Last Week!

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Big thanks to Tom Feldman for gracing us with his elegant presence and making things easier for the Old Man… me.

The Light Of This World Class

Foto by helpful student!

The week went by in the link of an an eye. Today is my daughter’s last day of school…and we are up here in Hebron getting ready to head over to Legend Valley. First a trip to the Lakeside diner in Buckeye Lake.

Yummy

Foto by Suzy Perler

Looks like a nice day!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Electric set tonight, acoustic tomorrow. Great weather today… we’ll see about tomorrow.

Onward!

Saturday night I played the Mill Event Center in Lancaster, Ohio… just up the road from us. What a beautiful venue! Everything went really well… especially considering as it was their first show. I love this venue and these folks! I’ll play there anytime.

Jorma Kaukonen 19, 2016
Jorma Solo
The Mill Event Center
Lancaster, Ohio
Saturday, April 28, 2018

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. Been So Long
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Barbeque King
5. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
6. San Francisco Bay Blues
7. Sleep Song
8. Watch The North Wind Rise
9. How Long Blues
10. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
11. In My Dreams
12. Candy Man
13. Heart Temporary
14. That’ll Never Happen No More
Second Set:
1. Whining Boy Blues
2. I See The Light
3. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
4. Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
5. Things That Might Have Been
6. Keep On Trucking Mama
7. Come Back Baby
8. I’ll Be All Right Someday
9. Sea Child
10. Flying Clouds
11. Good Shepherd
12. Bar Room Crystal Ball
13. Water Song
14. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
15. Encore: Genesis

Is this Spring yet?

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

The seasons have been struggling… but everything is starting to work out as it should.

Getting ready to 'que

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Maverick gets ready to join Izze and me for a barbecue on Sunday. The worm was turning and we started to feel life in the trees.

Redbud... finally!

Yep… the worm has turned indeed. Izze’s in school, Nessa’s driving down from Columbus and I’m going for a motorcycle ride!

Onward indeed!

Larry Campbell tries out my new D'Angelico while the folks gather for orientation

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

This paste weekend Larry Campbell, Spencer Bohren and hosted the students here in Darwin, Ohio for another truly great weekend. Friday the weather was beautiful. Saturday the temperature started to slide but itdidn’t dampen the spirits that warmed the room for our concert Saturday night.

Jorma Kaukonen 19, 2016
Jorma and Larry Campbell
With Spencer Bohren
Fur Peace Station
Darwin, Ohio 45769

1. Dime For Beer, Larry & Jorma
2. Hesitation Blues, Larry & Jorma
3. Trouble In Mind, Larry & Jorma
4. Ain’t Nobody For Me, Larry & Jorma
5. Barbeque King, Larry & Jorma
6. San Francisco Bay Blues, Larry & Jorma
7. Market Town/Scatter The Mud… Larry solo Thanks for that Michael…
8. Blind Mary, Larry solo
9. Cypress Grove, Larry, Spencer & Jorma
10. No Cane On The Brazos, Larry, Spencer & Jorma
11. Lost Highway, Larry, Spencer & Jorma
12. Good Shepherd, Larry & Jorma
13. Nine Pound Hammer, Larry & Jorma
14. Come Back Baby, Larry & Jorma
15. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here, Larry & Jorma
16. Big River, Larry, Spencer & Jorma
17. Encore: I’ll Fly Away, Larry Spencer & Jorma

Larry, Spencer,our pal Wally and myself backstage

Foto by Rusty Smith

Spencer played for an hour and Larry and I played for ninety minutes. The folks sure got plenty of music on this night. Sunday it rained so we did our ‘Class Picture’ indoors at the Station.

Some fun...

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Monday morning we had a final wrap up as snow… yes snow, began to fall.

The Watersong Weekend Class Picture

Foto by John Hurlbut

After the folks scattered to there respective homes and climes, I went to pick up our daughter from school and on the way home it started to snow. It’s still snowing…

Spring has sprung...

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Snow and all… a great couple of days. Looking to the future!

Nothing like a Spring day...

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Started driving in the snow but it let up by the time we got to Hatrford.

The lore of the ancients

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Then it was Infinity time.

... and beyond

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 16, 2016
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
Infinity
Hartford, Connecticut
Friday, April 6, 2018

First Set:
1. Dime For Beer
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Been So Long
4. Heart Temporary
5. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
6. Come Back Baby
7. What Are They Doing In Heaven Today?
8. San Francisco Bay Blues
9. How Long Blues
10. Candy Man
11. Trial By Fire
12. Sea Child
13. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. True Religion
2. Ain’t In No Hurry
3. Wolves And Lambs
4. Genesis
5. Whining Boy Blues
6. Trouble In Mind
7. Barbeque King
8. River Of Time
9. I Am The Light Of This World
10. Sleep Song
11. Watch The North Wind Rise
12. Good Shepherd
13. Water Song
14. Encore: Embryonic Journey

Phil and Jack backstage...

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Then up to Ogunquit, Maine for the last show of this run at Johnathan’s.

Seafood, here we come!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Great dinner… and then the gig!

Hot Tuna 17, 2016
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
Jonathan’s
Ogunquit, Maine
Saturday, April 7, 2018

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Waiting For A Train
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Things That Might Have Been
5. Search My Heart
6. Barbeque King
7. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
8. Candy Man
9. Trial By Fire
10. Sleep Song
11. Living In The Moment
12. Trouble In Mind
Second Set:
1. Too Many Years
2. Second Chances
3. I See The Light
4. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
5. Come Back Baby
6. The Terrible Operation
7. Whining Boy Blues
8. Been So Long
9. Sea Child
10. Good Shepherd
11. Bar Room Crystal Ball
12. Water Song
13. I Know You Rider
14. Encore: Genesis

After the shrimp coctail... a gig!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

After the show we drove Jack and Phil to Boston for the next leg of their trip and Myron and I headed for home… which is whee I am now. Back with my girls… and tonight snoozing in my own bed.

Good times!

The Flying Monkey

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Winter’s chilly fingers are still wrapped around us up here, but there was blue skies as we pulled into Plymouth, and the Flying Monkey.

Monkeyville

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

This is a great joint. It’s been too long since we played here!

Hot Tuna 15, 2016
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Flying Monkey
Plymouth, New Hampshire
Thursday, April 5, 2018

First Set:
1. Dime For Beer
2. The Terrible Operation
3. Too Many Years
4. Wolves And Lambs
5. Hesitation Blues
6. Barbeque King
7. River Of Time
8. I Am The Light Of This World
9. Death Don’t’ Have No Mercy
10. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
11. Living In The Moment
12. Sea Child
13. Trial By Fire
14. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
Second Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Second Chances
3. The Terrible Operation
4. Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
5. Waiting For A Train
6. How Long Blues
7. Serpent Of Dreams
8. Search My Heart
9. Come Back Baby
10. Sleep Song
11. Good Shepherd
12. San Francisco Bay Blues
13. I Know You Rider
14. Encore: Water Song

Where's Dorothy?

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Rising a little bit early this morning to head for Hartford, Connecticut and Infinity.

Back at the yard behind the Monkey… it was still train time.

A thousand miles from nowhere...

Foto by Phil Jacobs