View of the box seats from the stage of the Meyer

Tonight the boys and I played the Meyer Theater in Green Bay for the first time. The temperature was in single digits outside but inside, it was warm and inviting. This is a classy theater with great ambiance and great sound!

Jack sets up...

Here is our set list:

Hot Tuna 9, 2013
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Barry Mitterhoff
Meyer Theater
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Wednesday, February 20, 2013

First Set:
1. Too Many Years
2. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
3. Children Of Zion
4. Been So Long
5. Hesitation Blues
6. Second Chances
7. Come Back Baby
8. 99 Year Blues
9. River Of Time
10. Vicksburg Stomp
11. I Know You Rider
Second Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Heart Temporary
3. Candy Man
4. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
5. More Than My Old Guitar
6. Barbeque King
7. There’s A Bright Side Somewhere
8. Good Shepherd
9. The Terrible Operation
10. I’ll Be All right Some Day
11. Nine Pound Hammer
12. Encore: Genesis

Another lively night… this has really been a great tour. Tomorrow morning we leave early for Mill City Nights in Minneapolis. This will be another first for us and I’ll report on all this sometime tomorrow after the show.

An another subject, I’ve been following all the reminiscing in the comments section and I find it interesting on one level in that these are times we all shared when we were young and it is a part of our history. That said, for me all that is only interesting as a part of the history of life. I have no euphoric recall from those times whatsoever. I also have no regret… what’s the point. None of us would be the people we are to today without those experiences… plus, let’s face it, what’s done is done. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times… it was a tale of many cities… day after day, year after year. I would change nothing if I could… but I would not repeat any of it. For me the most interesting gig I ever played is the one I finished tonight… or tomorrow night… It’s all about building a construct of sagas… keeping the tell alive and ever growing. People often ask me why I choose not to play certain songs. Sometimes the answer is painfully simple… I have let them get away and rather than spend time reconstructing a time and a place I find it more productive to come up with something new. Sometimes it is even simpler than that. The content of some songs simply do not represent who I feel I am today. Yep… time to drive on. Sometimes though, even the most ancient of songs continue to tell my story. Interesting…

OK then… I think you all for your interest and excitement. I find it thought provoking. Perhaps someday I’ll write some stuff down and run it up the flagpole to see who salutes… who knows? Well… time to see if sleep will come…

More anon…

Barry gives the blessing...

Old School Behind The Aladdin In Portland

Before I get to the set lists for the last two shows, I was just thinking about the nickname thing. Indeed… I used the nickname ‘Jerry’ from 1945 to 1965 and here’s why. My Dad was at the Navy Language School in Ann Arbor Michigan in 1943 and 1944. While my Uncle Tarmo was fighting his way up from North Aftrica and Sicily on his way to Italy and Monte Casino and my Uncle Pentti was working his way up through the South Pacific burning the enemy out of caves and tunnels with a flame thrower, Dad was preparing for his trip to Tokyo where he cracked safes in that burned out wasteland… left over after the firebombing. Interestingly enough, when I toured Japan in the nineties with Hot Tuna in Yokohama I stayed at the same hotel he and McArthur’s staff stayed at in 1945.

Anyway, while in Ann Arbor, my Mom was on her way back to the officer’s housing when she found some of the neighbor’s kids in the process of hanging me with a coat hanger because I had a foreign sounding name and they thought it might be German or something like that. In any given part of the country, the most recent immigrants always wind up sucking hind tit… but that’s another story for another time. Anyway, when I went back to school that year I decided to use the nickname that my Dad used in the service… and that nickname was… you guessed it, ‘Jerry.’

Fast forward twenty years… when I got out of College and started playing in the Jefferson Airplane my ex-wife Margareta (may she rest in peace) chided me for knuckling under to the xenophobia that infested America even more then that it does now… It made sense to me… and it’s been Jorma ever since! Another American Immigrant story.

OK… The Aladdin… sold out and what a dandy night… I got to see a bunch of old friends and we played two swell sets which arre as follows:

Hot Tuna 3, 2013
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Barry Mitterhoff
The Aladdin Theater
Portland, Oregon
Sunday, February 10, 2013

First Set:
1. Too Many Years
2. Children Of Zion
3. Second Chances
4. Hesitation Blues
5. Been So Long
6. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
7. How Long Blues
8. More Than My Old Guitar
9. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
10. Barbeque King
11. Nine Pound Hammer
Second Set:
1. Serpent Of Dreams
2. Prohibition Blues
3. Things That Might Have Been
4. Vicksburg Stomp
5. Come Back Baby
6. River Of Time
7. 99 Year Blues
8. The Terrible Operation
9. Good Shepherd
10. I’ll Be All Right Some Day
11. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed And Burning
12. Encore: Embryonic Journey

Up nice and early the next day and off to Seattle and the Triple Door. Another lovely night and sold out too… Here we go:

Hot Tuna 4, 2013
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Barry Mitterhoff
The Triple Door
Seattle, Washington
February 11, 2013

First Set:
1. Been So Long
2. Heart Temporary
3. Children Of Zion
4. Hesitation Blues
5. Trouble In Mind
6. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
7. How Long Blues
8. Sea Child
9. Full Go Round
10. ?
11. I Know You Rider
Second Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Second Chances
3. Prohibition Blues
4. Come Back Baby
5. The Terrible Operation
6. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
7. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
8. River Of Time
9. Good Shepherd
10. 99 Year Blues
11. Nine Pound Hammer
12. Encore: I Am The Light of This World

The view down the street from the Triple Door

Alrighty then… here we are in Bozeman and tomorrow is our show at the Emerson Center For Arts And Culture. Lots more tomorrow after the show.

Hot Tuna headed back to the Tower Theater in Bend, Oregon. This was a make up date for the one we had to cancel in August due to family illness. What a beautiful hall this is.

what a beauty...

You know one thinks of life’s little intersections… happenstance occurrences that change one’s life. In 1963 or thereabouts I was hanging out at the Offstage in San Jose and playing there as much as they would allow. I was known as Jerry Kaukonen back then… I hadn’t yet shed the nickname and returned to Jorma… but that is another story. Anyway, I pair of folksingers Roger Perkins, and Larry Hanks were booked into the place and of course, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. This was a simpler time when they enjoyment of folk music in all it’s guises was the quintessential form of entertainment. Roger tuned his guitar to drop D and played Good Shepherd. I flipped when I heard it and had Roger show it to me. I found out later that the author of the tune is Jimmy Struthers and the original title is Blood Strained Banders. Yeah, there’s a Klan metaphor there… but that’s another story too. Anyway… that moment when Roger showed me not only Good Shepherd but the drop D tuning changed my musical life. Now, I now I would have played music anyway, but this moment definitely changed my life. Interestingly enough, I never saw Roger again… never really got to thank him for this gift. I couple of years ago i was looking for him on the Web and found that he had just passed away. Gone but not forgotten brother… I couldn’t have done it without you.

What a fortuitous moment! Anyway, here is our set list from tonight:

Hot Tuna 2, 2013
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Barry Mitterhoff
Tower Theater
Bend, Oregon
Saturday, February 9, 2013
First Set:
1. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
2. Mama Let Me Lay It On You
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Things That Might Have Been
5. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
6. How Long Blues
7. Goodbye To The Blues
8. Barbecue King
9. River Of Time
10. Prohibition Blues
11. True Religion
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed And Burning
Second Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Heart Temporary
3. Candy Man
4. Come Back Baby
5. Vicksburg Stomp
6. Good Shepherd
7. Full Go Round
8. 99 Year Blues
9. I Am The Light of This World
10. I Know You Rider
11. Encore: Genesis

Of to Portland tomorrow… now to bed with thoughts of what is and what might have been!

Hello friends…….

While constructing the Psylodelic Gallery (at the Fur Peace Ranch), a museum that focuses on the music, art, culture, and literature of the Psychedelic era, we quickly realized that we had the ability to do so much more than display art–that we could make it. It is with these same ideals of free and creative expression that were so integral to the psychedelic movement, that we begin this project–a chance to inspire and foster life and art in a place that so desperately needs it. We are turning to you to help us in this endeavor, with your support, we will work to promote and improve arts education in our area and to continue to remind people just how influential the psychedelic era was and is to our world. Please pass this link on to anyone you might know who might be interested in helping.

Thank you for your time and interest in helping us turn a grain bin into a catalyst for change.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/psylodelic/the-psylodelic-gallery

My country road by morning...

Sometimes I feel as if I’m in sepia tone, like an old photo from another century. Some things remain fresh, however. I got home yesterday from a round of errands… nothing big, just time consuming. I went into the house and my guitar called to me from its case. I opened said case and withdrew my Martin M-30 where it made its way to my right thigh where it feels most at home. I felt that same commanding place in the universe that I did when I was fifteen. I would open the cardboard guitar case (simulated alligator exterior) and take out my Gibson J-45 and head for the tile bathroom to play and sing. In those days, the bathroom was the best place in the house to play. No one would bother you, and the natural echo properties of the room were outstanding.

Well, no need to head for the bathroom… the tile and wood of the middle room of our 1830’s farmhouse sounds pretty darned good to me. Anyway, what a great place to be at this point in my life. I’m gathering tunes for a new Jorma project so I spent some time writing a new song. Then with a tour coming up I spent another hour or so just playing and singing songs… doing what I have to do to get back in the performance groove. Some of these tunes have been mine for over fifty years, but they cannot be taken for granted. I try to play them lovingly with the same energy that was mine when I learned them so long ago.

Things change over time, without fail. My playing style is still mine and as such, totally recognizable… but it has mutated, changed for the better I would like to think. Well, maybe I’ll just let it go as changed since when I hear old recordings of myself, I always think, ‘I wasn’t too bad.’

Think how lucky I was to come of age as an artist in the Sixties when the art of the time was inextricably entwined with the evolving culture. The music, the graphic art, spoken work and literature was a touchstone for the times. I realize that it is a cheap shot to compare the musical scene of the Sixties and Seventies with today. What I perceive of today is such a soft target. The artists that become visible and pass for today’s mainstream are far more proficient as musicians… players and singers, whatever… than we ever were and yet to what end? To me, the music was a means to convey a story. Now, not every story has to be War And Peace… sometimes it’s just Goldilocks And The Three Bears, but a good story is always a good story. On those rare occasions when I listen to mainstream ‘popular’ musicians, I find very few stories worth listening to and I’d like to think that it is not just because I’m an old coot.

On the other hand, it is a big world out there what with all this internet stuff, and without regard to how much the internet can dissipate our powers of concentration there is indeed a world of multidimensional artists singing songs that matter in any given context. Wow… is that good news or what?

OK, I’ve ascertained that the future is safe at least for music. It’s a deep mine out there and lots of us miners. The fact that at my age I still love the guitar, the music, the poetry and performing for people sometimes amazes even me, but there it is. My gratitude is boundless for being able to feel all these things.

I will be leaving for the Coast soon and will be playing for folks across this country for a couple of weeks or so. I will be accompanied by friends… Jack Casady and Barry MItterhoff… and one of my oldest friends of all… the flat top guitar.

How good does it have to get?

PS I got a comment from Susan on my Merry Xmas On Day Late entry that I felt warranted comment. Nuff said…

Traditional New Years at Kevin and Janet's... see if you can find me.

Last night we went to Kevin and Janet Morgan’s for their traditional New Year’s celebration. Kevin Morgan is a dear friend… and he does all the art work for the Fur Peace Ranch, Hot Tuna... and me. As always we had a wonderful time with friends and family here in the country.

Happy New Year from Jorma, Vanessa, Izze and Zach!

Yep… good times with thoughts about good things to come in the New Year!

2012 was a rough one for everyone… as the eternal optimist I am… I know 2013 if going to not only be better… but it’s going to be outstanding! Let’s put that out there.

Zach, John Hurlbut and Nessa... looking forward!

Happy 2013 all you out there!

Sort of white

So here it is, December 23, 2012… and I, Jorma Ludwik Kaukonen have turned 72 years old. Holey moley! When I got up today, Vanessa said, ‘Go hang out with your friends until 1500… then I need you to baby sit. ‘Cool,’ said I. ‘Count me in.’ So off I went to hang with some of my buds in the woods. A little four wheelin’. A little noise makin’ good times all around. It snowed over the last two days… see above. Today the temperature was in the low fifties… perfect to be outdoors.

I got back at three. Vanessa went to town and Izze and I watched Brave again. A cinematic marvel, for sure. By 1900, Ness was back and the roast that had been cooking all day was ready to eat. Home made horseradish sauce, sweet cornbread, new potatoes and carrots and a dandy dessert. Ginger came over with her son Montana and their Brazilian exchange student Marcos. My buddy Ted came over too.

We prayed together… each in our own way, enjoyed delicious food and fellowship and now Izze is watching ‘The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.’ Obviously there are pluses and minuses in the getting older process. The alternatives would seem to be unacceptable so whatever adjustments I have to make are OK with me. Each moment is so precious… so enduring in the heart. I treasure my place in the world more than I can express.

I have so many people to be grateful to and for. Let me just mention one who, without knowing, has helped to steer the course of my existence… that would be the Rev. Gary Davis. Here is a picture of the Rev. in concert in London that a friend sent me today.

Thank you for your mentorship!

The year is winding down, and my age is winding up. I thank all my family comrades in arms and the myriad friends I have made worldwide for helping to give meaning and substance to my life!

Onward!

As always… to be home safe and sound is a blessing beyond measure. As I have been noting here in my blog, I went abroad with my teenage son, my musical partner Barry MItterhoff and his lady friend Gayle. We did a gig in Bilbao, Spain and then to the Middle East where we played three gigs in Israel. You see so much in the news here in America that has so little to do with reality anywhere and everything to do with ratings in the ongoing jousts between the sundry talking heads. Some people here at home were chiding me for going to the Middle East based on the sensationalist nonsense we had been seeing. As always, our task is to avoid contempt before investigation and I spent a lot of time in contact with friends on the ground, so to speak who assured me that life was going on in the aftermath of the ‘war.’ I would never have risked the life of my young son if I thought there was any danger whatsoever… and there wasn’t.

My point here, is that what I saw in the grand little country of Israel, was a deep love of the music that has sustained me all my life. Was there a consensus of political opinion? Of course not. Was there a consensus for a deep and abiding love of the spirit? Absolutely! I wrote mostly about the delicious food I encountered while overseas. What’s not to like about a good meal? It’s a little harder to write about the spiritual intangibles that make life truly worth living. I experienced a fellowship of the spirit that that still surrounds me even being home for several days. You can’t quantify this.

In the past, I have been taken to task for working in Israel and for supporting that country in spirit. Frankly, I don’t care. I’m entitled to my opinion and you… collectively to yours. So be it. Opinions are like… well, that nether portion of your anatomy. Everyone’s got one.

Here at home, we are still reeling under the cloud of that unspeakable tragedy in Connecticut. My daughter’s elementary school is under a whole new set of rules for dropping off and picking up our kids. I cannot imagine the pain and horror of losing a child. I have outlived my parents as I should in a ‘normal’ world. I hope my kids will outlive me. Tragedies like this always spawn a torrent of editorializing. Again… nice for ratings… sorrow for those involved. That there is evil in this world is undeniable. There is also great good… and being the eternal optimist I am, good will ultimately prevail.

Nuff said. When I passed through Immigration at Dulles International, I said to the officer… ‘It’s great to be back in what is, to me, the greatest country on earth.

Onward

Our friend Eran had been talking about taking us to Julie’s since we got here. Julie… the Egyptian grandmother had a tiny restaurant near the shuk with about two tables in it… Suffice it to say, that home cooked food was unbelievable.

Zach and Gayle look into Julie's kitchen...

We went into the kitchen and picked what we wanted to eat.

Yeah, we knew it was gonna be that good!

After about a 90 second wait… the food began to appear.

Julie herself, getting ready to feed the troops...

The smell of the food was so enticing… still it could not compare to the reality of the eating itself!

Julie with the gang... Zach is behind me...

‘How old are you?’ Julie asked Zach. ‘Fifteen,’ he answered. She laughed. ‘When I was fifteen I was married… before I was sixteen I had my first baby… then I had three more.’ We all laughed, and suggested that Zach wait a couple of years.

The family back home in the day!

Lunch went quickly and seconds were encouraged and free.

Julie tends to the table on the street.

Our lunch was coming to and end, and it was getting to be time to go.

Julie's is on Yom Tov St.

Back at the hotel, we hit the roof for a cup of coffee while looking at the view.

The view north from the roof

Just a little bit ago, our friend Eran Arielli to Zach and I to a legendery sabich shop… Jewish Iraqi sandwiches… from a no name shop… gourmet!

Yeah... we got a seat... Eran and Zach

It was so good, I didn’t even realize that the eggplant wasn’t meat. That’s gotta be good!

Dad and Zach at the No Name Sabich shop.

You can find this place on…

You can find this joint on Tchernihovsky Street... go there and wait... it's worth it!

A nice post postprandial stroll back to the hotel and some final re-packing. Heading to the airport at 0130…

What a great trip with really good friends!

Morning on our road...

On this day twenty four years ago (a day that shall live in famy Vanessa and I rode my old Harley to the harbor so we could set sail from the Key West Bight Marina on the 75 foot topsail schooner, Wolf. My old friend Rocky Williams was our best man. He is gone now, may he rest in peace. Michael Falzarano and Claudia were there as well as many of our buds from New York. We tied the knot at sea and as the sun was setting the Captain fired a cannon off the bow.

Thus began an amazing journey that continues to this day. Happy Anniversary to us!!!!

Love you Ness! Keep smiling….