Foto By Phil Jacobs

I was presented this honor by Mayor Siciliano before the gig. What an unexpected honor and treat! I still have to pay tolls in New Jersey but that’s OK. Good times.

Jorma Kaukonen 30, 2020

Concerts In The Garden At Blu Grotto

Red Banks, New Jersey

Monday, September 21, 2020

1. Dime For Beer
2. Candy Man
3. Serpent Of Dreams
4. Ice Age
5. Too Many Years
6. Come Back Baby
7. That’ll Never Happen No More
8. Trial By Fire
9. Bar Room Crystal Ball
10. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
11. Waiting For A Train
12. Great Divide Revisited
13. In The Kingdom
14. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
15. 3^rd Week In The Chelsea
16. The Terrible Operation
17. I Know You Rider
18. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
19. Encore: Embryonic Journey

Foto by Phil Jacobs

My extreme gratitude to the good folks who gave me this gig and to the good folks who came out to hear me play on the Fall nights. I’m the luckiest guy in the world!

Drive home… uneventful the way I like it. Great to be out in the world, and great to be home.

More will be revealed!

First of all, it was pointed out to me that I neglected to post the show set from our Quarantine Concert Series #22… so here it is!

Jorma Kaukonen 27, 2020

Quarantine Concert Series #22

Fur Peace Ranch

Darwin, Ohio

Saturday, September 12, 2020

1. What Are They Doing In Heaven Today?
2. Another Man Done Gone
3. I Am The Light Of This World
4. Search My Heart
5. Going Away with Tom Feldmann
6. Untitled Instrumental with Tom Feldmann
7. In The Kingdom
8. Billy # 6 with John Hurlbut
9. The Weight with John Hurlbut
10. I See The Light
11. When I Put The Needle In The Groove with Verlon Thompson
12. The Guitar with Verlon Thompson
13. Watch The North Wind Rise
14. Embryonic Journey

OK… now I feel better. I can’t believe I let that get away from me. Out here on the road for the first time in six months or so, visions from home still look great.

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Selfie by Vanessa Kaukonen

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Yep, as summer starts to trickle away it’s starting to look a little like fall. Bring it on I say!

OK… last night at the Blu Grotto… my first gig ‘gig’ since… well, you know!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Yeah, these folks did it up right. Chilly? You bet. Great sound? Indeed.

Jorma Kaukonen 29, 2020

Concerts In The Garden At Blu Grotto

Red Banks, New Jersey

Sunday, September 20, 2020

1. True Religion
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Second Chances
4. Uncle Sam Blues
5. Flying Clouds
6. Sleep Song
7. Blue Railroad Train
8. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
9. Been So Long
10. Hamar Promenade
11. Watch The North Wind Rise
12. Walkin’ Blues
13. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
14. Sea Child
15. Good Shepherd
16. Highway Song
17. Barbecue King
18. I See The Light
19. San Francisco Bay Blues
20. Encore: Water Song

Yeah… we all hung in there together and there’s another one tonight.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

It’s great to be back. Stay well y’all!

I left home for the first time in the better part of a year. Down in Southeast Ohio people still waffle about masks. We’ve been lucky down there. Not enough people have died to make many take it seriously back home. Out on the road, it’s masks and distance everywhere from truckstops to hotels. No one is fooling around. I’d stand a better chance of getting the Virus in Athens, Ohio than I would here in New Jersey. I played a house party for some friends last night and I could not have felt safer. There was fellowship, good food, a wedding proposal, an acceptance and a show by me. There was distance, UV light and hand sanitizer to spare. No one was unmasked but me when I sang. So far so good. Guys like me don’t have time to spare. Time to start moving on in whatever the new world will offer us. I’m moving on. Anyway…

Here is the set list:

Jorma Kaukonen 28, 2020

House Party

Friday, September 18, 2020

First Set:

1. Dime For Beer
2. Serpent Of Dreams
3. Broken Highway
4. Hesitation Blues
5. Trial By Fire
6. Watch The North Wind Rise
7. Been So Long
8. Another Man Done Gone
9. Proposal, and Acceptance
10. I Am The Light Of This World

Second Set:

1. Candy Man
2. Barbeque King
3. Waiting For A Train
4. Too Many Years
5. Highway Song
6. Flying Clouds
7. Good Shepherd
8. Follow The Drinking Gourd
9. How Long Blues
10. That’ll Never Happen No More
11. Water Song

Tomorrow and Monday I’m doing shows at the Blu Grotto. Well, it’s at the racetrack so there’s distance aplenty. They’ve already done 25 or so shows, so they’ve got it together. Being out in the world finds it a very different place and the rhythm of living here in the Northeast has changed immensely. I’ve been living in a bubble. That’s OK. Life is change as Kantner might paraphrase. Change indeed. We’ll all do what we have to do to live, and stay safe.

I just heard a good one from back home. In the spirit of the Black Plague, unmasked miscreants are Rat Lickers.

There are better days to come, and for me… it could be worse.

Stay well…

The Quarantine Concert Series is on a brief three week hiatus. Jack Casady will be on board for for our glorious return and we’ll keep you posted on that. These little gems from the vault have never been aired before so enjoy. Vanessa ans I will be on the feed as well watching with you all.

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Sometimes it’s just life’s little pleasures.

Be well all…

On the one hand nineteen years seems like three lifetimes, on the other… it was last week. So many of us lost someone that beautiful fall day. A family member, a friend… dear ones all. We in the Tuna Family knew so many of those first responders. They were a little younger than us, but somehow it seemed like we all grew up together. I lost no immediate family, but family was lost nonetheless. One hopes the names will be read each year… I know I shall never forget.

The fallen and the ones that continue to fall as a result of their heroism in that toxic environment are always in my thoughts… always in my prayers.

Indeed, our good friend G.E.Smith joined our staff this weekend as an instructor and a guest on the Series. We had a great time as we always do and here is the show:

Jorma Kaukonen 26, 2020

Quarantine Concert Series #21

Fur Peace Ranch

Darwin, Ohio

Saturday, September 5, 2020

1. Too Many Years
2. Flying Clouds
3. River Of Time
4. Ice Age
5. I’m Going To Live Forever with John Hurlbut
6. For What It’s Worth with John Hurlbut
7. You & My Old Guitar
8. Codine G.E. Smith
9. Arts Sick G.E. Smith
10.  Kentucky Blues with GE Smith
11. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
12. Water Song

I’ve been bringing out old friend (guitarwise) to hang out with me on stage and the River Of Time Guitar and I figured it was time to get reacquainted. A new set of strings and I was good to go. There have been some questions about the axe so here’s what Bud and Tracy left in the case… and yes, it is very similar in dimension to my M-30… but not exactly.

River Of Time Guitar

By

Bud Divens &. Tracy Cox

The guitar is a custom instrument by Tracy Cox and Bud Divens built in August 2016. It is constructed of all domestic tone woods; Redwood, Claro Walnut, with curly mape ornamentation. Hand cut inlays by Master Luthier Tracy Cox portrays highlights of Jorma’s Hall Of Fame career and life.

Top Wood – Salvaged California Redwood – Tree felled prior to 1885

Back & Sides -Figured Claro Walnut – From near Davis, California

Body, Neck and headstock Bindings – Curly Maple from upstate New York

Neck -Modified V – Layered laminated Claro Walnut and Curly Maple Compound dovetail neck joint

Nut and saddle – Bone

Bracing Material – Adirondack Spruce

Slotted Headstock with Gold 14-1 Grover Tuners

Headstock Inlay – 3D river scene designed by Tracy Cox

Fingerboard – Ebony 16 inch radius

Fingerboard Inlays – White Mother of Pearl over Gold Mother of Pearl. Gibson style blocks hand cut and engraved.

Body Purflings – Paua Abalone Shell

Rosette – Curly Maple bordered by Paua Abalone Shell

Bridge – Hand carved stacked walnut and curly maple

Frets – Hardened Evo Gold

Scale Length – 25.4 inches

Nut Width – 1 ¾ inches

Eletronics – Fishman Aura under saddle with sound hole control

There… all anyone could want to know, and more. Again, big thanks to Bud and Tracy!

Happy Labor Day to all you laborers out there…

As Roy Rogers would say, ‘May the Good Lord take a likin’ to ya!’

Stay well!

Coming at you… loud and clear!

https://www.youtube.com/user/FurPeaceRanch

More will be revealed!

Yeah, as #20 slips into the rear view mirror, a couple of thoughts come to mind. Everyone who knows me pretty much is aware about how I feel about the current political atmosphere here in the good old U. S. of A. We’ve all got opinions and another one is not necessary in print. Nessa and I occasionally poke the bear during our Quarantine Concert series, but we have never… and I repeat never, proselytized and we never belabor the point. Last night we were talking about the importance of voting and some gal started ragging on the chat feed about politicizing. We didn’t say who to vote for… we just said VOTE. With the soul of the country at stake, whatever your position, you can’t complain if you don’t vote.

On a far lesser note, if I wanted to be visibly political on my show I would be. That’s not what our show is all about. I love the badinage, the fellowship and the music. That said, if one doesn’t like what we’re doing, get your money back and don’t watch. Wait, it’s free… there’s no money involved.

Just saying…

Anyway, another really great night for us with #20 and now we’re on to #21. Here’s what we did last night!

Jorma Kaukonen 25, 2020

Quarantine Concert Series #20

Fur Peace Ranch

Darwin, Ohio

Saturday, August 29, 2020

1. True Religion
2. The Terrible Operation
3. Barbecue King
4. Song For The High Mountain
5. Half-Assed Mule with Myron Hart
6. I’m Free From The Chain Gang Now
7. Johnny Too Bad/Bank Robber with John Hurlbut
8. Don’t Think Twice with John Hurlbut
9. San Francisco Bay Blues
10. Second Chances
11. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
12. Bar Room Crystal Ball

As I mentioned in the Forbes article, it’s the one night of the week I get to be Jorma again.

Good times…

Off to Columbus for some sushi… at Akai Hana!

OK… some evening addenda:

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

The only meat was that very small plate of Prosciutto rubbed with fennel and chili oil and the sopresata. Everything else was vegan or vegetarian. Guacamole, hummus, salsa, fresh baked baguette, rosemary 
and sea salt crackers, baby petite carrots, dill cucumbers, hard green Italian olives, snap peas, roasted red peppers, fresh mozzarella, homemade balsamic dressing, organic strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, black and green seedless grapes, tofu and veggie dumplings, shelled and roasted pistachios and espresso bella vitano cheese.

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Not much to say during the week. We’re all in the same boat so I decided to just keep my whining to myself. However, here it is Friday, the day before tomorrow which of course is Saturday and the launching pad for #20 of the Quarantine Concert series.

https://www.youtube.com/user/FurPeaceRanch

I think we have some treats and treasures in store for you all and on Sunday, I’ll weigh in, definitely in more detail. In the meantime…

Stay well!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

We just concluded our first weekend here at the Fur Peace Ranch. That is indeed our first session this year. I’m not going to bore everyone with Covid-19 details, prerequisites and regulations. There are out lot out there and there is no doubt in my mind that there is a potential dark side if those of us who deal with the public on any level fail to take care. OK, that said Pat Donohue came down from Minnesota and graced us with his august presence for this opening weekend. Big thanks are in order for for the students who braved travel in the outside world to come to Meigs County. With the ultimate safety of our guests in mind, we started with only five people for the two instructors and it looks like that’s the way it’s going to have to be at least for the rest of this year, presuming there is a rest of the year. Anyway, we found ourselves having a great time in spite of everything and we were able to give you all another Quarantine Concert, as we will this coming weekend.

Jorma Kaukonen 24, 2020

Quarantine Concert Series #19

Fur Peace Ranch

Darwin, Ohio

Saturday, August 22, 2020

1. Been So Long
2. There’s A Bright Side Somewhere
3. In My Dreams
4. River Of Time
5. Oklahoma Hills with John Hurlbut
6. Driftin’ Blues with John Hurlbut and Karl Dentino on harp
7. Song From The Stainless Cymbal
8. ‘Homebound’ a parody by Pat Donohue
9. West Coast Blues by Pat Donohue
10. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
11. Genesis

I’m going to leave it at this for now… it’s been a long day, but more will be revealed I’m sure.

Stay well!