The good old Capitol Theater

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Phil Lesh had asked me some time ago to join him along with Grahame Lesh, Rob Barraco and John Molo for two nights at the good old Capitol Theater in Portchester, New York. Needless to say, I was on board immediately. Now anyone who loves the music of the Grateful Dead knows that this is not a lightly undertaken art form. Jerry and the guys (and gals) managed to transliterate the essence of the great American Songbook into a parallel universe of multi dimensional creativity. I realized that I probably won’t live long enough to be able to fully apprehend all this great music, but the good news was that Phil just wanted me to be me. I could do that… so I did.

Waiting for rehearsal Tuesday afternoon.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

The Capitol Theater has a great lineage of memories for me going back to the time of the Jefferson Airplane… and Tuna as well. That it has been restored to its former glory… and much more, is more than cool! It’s just a great gig for me at any time. Having the opportunity to add a little frosting to Phil’s cake was off the charts! To play with Grahame, Rob, John as well as Phil was hanging with the A-Team for sure. I chose my Beano Les Paul through my 1967 50w Marshall Plexi for the most of the gig but I also had my Gibson Chet Atkins SST through a Louis Rosano Twinmaster for the tunes like Dupree’s Diamond Blues, Friend Of The Devil, Light Of This World, Good Shepherd and the like. I thought about the Firebird for the brasher material, but the Beano got the call.

Onstage with the guys.

Foto by Suzy Perler

I had never really hung with Grahame before but I’ll tell you… he is more than a great guitar player. He’s a great singer, musician and a great guy! To get to have a conversation with him on stage was enlightening to say the least. I’ve known Rob for a long time and the depth of his talent never ceases to amaze me. As for John Molo, aside from being one of the world’s great percussionists, his musical sense of humor just kills me… every time. Phil… well, like I told Grahame at dinner, ‘Your dad is a genius!’

The SST in service!

Foto by Suzy Perler

Well, Tuesday ran into Wednesday and then my two day run with Phil and his guys was over. It was more than an honor to be a part of this musical expedition. Thanks Phil and thanks to all the guys for making me welcome!

Soaring with angels!

Foto by Suzy Perler

A gentle place outside Hampton, South Carolina

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Tuesday I drove 580 miles from the Fur Peace Ranch to Hampton, South Carolina where Zach’s mom, Stephanie was to b interred. Zach has grown into quite the young man… he is carrying the weight well!

Nearby cotton fields

Foto by jorma Kaukonen

She will sleep in peace here…

In the shade of the old live oak...

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Fair wind and following seas sister…

The mighty Ohio from Covington

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

We got in from Indiana in time for me to get a drone flight in by the hotel… overlooking the river.

The Queen City from Kentucky

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

Then yesterday a ten mile bus ride to Riverbend on the Ohio side.

Coney Island by drone

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

The gig from the air

We got together with Derek and Susan and the gang to rehearse Marty Balin’s great song 3/5’s Of A Mile In Ten Seconds.

Marty would have loved this rendition of his tune...

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 34, 2017
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Justin Guip
With Tedeschi/Trucks
& The Wood Brothers
PNC Pavilion At
Riverbend Music Center

1. Trial By Fire
2. Sleep Song
3. Talkin’ Bout You
4. Ode To Billy Dean
5. Roads and Roads &
6. 99 Year Blues
7. Come Back Baby

Then I go to sit in with Chris an Oliver Wood for Rev. Davis’ tune, Death Don’t Have No Mercy and subsequently Jack and I joined Derek and Susan for the aforementioned Jefferson Airplane song from Surrealistic Pillow.

Our very own Justin Guip warming up in the semi...

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

I have been thrilled with the way Justin and Jack and I have been playing… and there’s more to come!

Thornville from the air

Drone Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Like I said, we love hanging with the Dark Star folks and their friends! The vibe at the Jubilee can’t be beat.

Main stage... calm before the storm

Drone foto by Jorma Kaukonen

There was supposed to be thunderstorms, but while Tuna was there the weather was beyond awesome. Not to hot and not too cold.

Rob Barraco, Jack Casady, Jeff Mattson & Jorma Kaukonen

It’s always a good time with these folks. Here’s our electric set:

Hot Tuna 20, 2017
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
Dark Star Jubilee
Thorneville, Ohio
Sunday, May 28, 2017

1. Candy Man
2. I See The Light
3. Can’t Get Satisfied
4. Ode To Billy Dean
5. Trial By Fire
6. In The Kingdom
7. Day To Day Out The Window Blues
8. Bowlegged Woman
9. Watch The North Wind Rise
10. Good Shepherd
11. Rock Me Baby
12. Bar Room Crystal Ball
13. Funky #7

The three of us got it done with style!

Can't beat a day like this!

Drone foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Then is was back to Meigs County where the boys and I planned on rehearsing for a couple of days in preparation for our tour with Tedeschi/Trucks this summer.

Jack heads up to the Fur Peace Station

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Justin Guip, Jack Casady and myself set up in the most comfortable of situations, the stage of my very own Fur Peace Station.

With the able assistance of our pal Myron Hart, we got to work on some new additions for the summer sets.

Myron examines the neck of the Firebird... the Les Paul rests

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

The three of us had a blast playing in this most friendly of environments… and we got some good Fur Peace Ranch cooking too!

The rhythm section working together

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Myron and Justin bordered by cymbals

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Two great days of playing bordered by a great dinner at Salaam in Athens last night!

Today is a pho day at the Beatrice Love Kitchen and Jack Casady and I will be playing for the lunch crowd.

Yummy… and onward!

That wise old bird...

Back on the mainland for a week now. I landed in San Diego and our first gig was at the Belly Up.

Belly Up... the way it was meant to be!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

We’ve played the Belly Up for years now… like coming home in a way.

Hot Tuna 1, 2017
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Belly Up
Solana Beach, California
Monday, February 13, 2017

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Dime For Beer
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
5. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
6. Barbeque King
7. Been So Long
8. How Long Blues
9. Candy Man
10. Sea Child
11. Watch The North Wind Rise
12. I Know You Rider
Second Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Hear Temporary
3. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
4. Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
5. That’ll Never Happen No More
6. Come Back Baby
7. San Francisco Baby Blues
8. Living In The Moment
9. Sleep Song
10. Good Shepherd
11. Trial By Fire
12. The Terrible Operation
13. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
14. Encore: Genesis

Nice way to kick off 2017. Next day at the Dana, Jack and I were part of a nifty foto shoot.

Beautiful axes on a beautiful day!

Foto by Myron Hart

Then it was out of San Diego and up to the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano.

Looks like a dentist office from the front...

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Again… many years at the Coach house. Nice to be back!

Hot Tuna 2, 2017
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Coach House
San Juan Capistrano, California
Wednesday, February 15, 2017

1. Dime For Beer
2. Ain’t In No Hurry
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Second Chances
5. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
6. Barbeque King
7. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
8. I See The Light
9. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
10. Living In The Moment
11. Sleep Song
12. Watch The North Wind Rise
13. Good Shepherd
14. Come Back Baby
15. Candy Man
16. I Am The Light Of This World
17. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
18. Encore: Genesis

Jack in the dressing room... same as it ever was... except for internet.

Then up to Santa Barbara to the Lobero.

What traffic?

California traffic in this part of the state is relentless…

A man's gotta eat...

Foto by Phil Jacobs

We took a break from the traffic and stopped for some seafood in Malibu… then on to Santa Barbara and the rains came.

The Lobero in Santa Barbara... awesome!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Quite a rain. 101 close south of Santa Barbara… The show must go on!

This is a great room!

Hot Tuna 3, 2017
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Lobero Theatre
Santa Barbara, California
Friday, February 17, 2017

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Whining Boy Blues
3. That’ll Never Happen No More
4. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
5. Barbeque King
6. I See The Light
7. Sea Child
8. Sleep Song
9. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
10. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
11. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. Been So Long
2. The Terrible Operation
3. Second Chances
4. Candy Man
5. Come Back Baby
6. Hesitation Blues
7. Watch The North Wind Rise
8. Good Shepherd
9. San Francisco Bay Blues
10. In My Dreams
11. True Religion
12. I Know You Rider
13. Encore: Embryonic Journey

Take heed...

Foto by Jack Casady

Then a haul ass drive to San Francisco. Check into the hotel and head over to Berkeley for Jeff Pehrson’s surprise 50th birthday party at the Freight And Salvage. Jim Brunberg set this one up. Nice work Jim!

Da Boyz

Love the Japan Center… took a little walk this morning.

Buchanan Street

I had my first Japanese food here on Buchanan street in the 60’s when there was still traffic on it. Still lovely!

Tonight Jack and Justin and I will be rocking the Fillmore Auditorium!

More will definitely be revealed!

Walt Sample & Toby

It is ten degrees this frosty morning (Thursday, December 15, 2016) here at the Fur Peace Ranch in Southeast Ohio. Maverick and I just came in from a chilly but necessary walk across the parking lot and down the old road to the A Frame. The remains of the Super Moon were falling slowly into the tree line. From our vantage point on the road we could see the lights twinkling from Donnie’s farm over there by SR 681. My heart was heavy with the loss of our dear friend Walt Sample late last night. December 14th, 2016, was just shy of becoming December 15th when Walt’s son called to give us the news.

There is never a good time for bad news and I realize that on this planet we call home, millions die each day. That said, each of us humans navigates the world with our own universe and the circles of these universes may or may not intersect. There may be magic in these meetings. I have been fortunate in my life to have had a number of these meetings but one of the most memorable was with Walt Sample. He came to us at the Fur Peace Ranch a number of years ago… I can’t really remember when. It was immediately apparent to me that we were born to be friends and I wasn’t the only one who felt that way.

He was a man of infinite spirit with a love of all things good in this world and the rare ability to find good in most things. He had talents in many fields. In his art whether it be music or painting, the purist of truths always shone through utterly free of artifice. One must check out Big Mule Music and you will get some small idea of what I’m talking about.

Walt & Jorma at the Source Of The Sacred Soil

In late August, one of our dear friends, Rob McNurlin, was down on The Crossroads in Mississippi and brought some dirt back from said crossroads. We called it Devil Dirt… and there was something dangerous about it. Walt thought we should strike back on the good vibe and came up with the idea of Sacred Soil from the Fur Peace Ranch. We had been doing some excavating so we had a huge pile of dirt. Walt loaded up the sifter, we made labels and le voila, Fur Peace Ranch Sacred Soil! I say ‘we,’ but it was all Walt, sitting in garage next to the Harleys giving substance to yet another dream. The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well here in Southeast Ohio and every little bit counts.

Walt and another kind of mule

A renaissance man…father… husband… brother to all who were authentic. He didn’t suffer fools handily… he disdained poseurs… but he treated all with respect.

He passed suddenly, without warning and he although it is not for me to say how any man perceives his own passing, I would imagine that Walt would have wanted it this way. His great heart, having done its duty, retired the field. He had many different relationships with all he knew. I did not write with him. We thought about it… talked about it… but never got around to it. We were, however, friends!

All of us who knew Walt will miss him in our own way, but none of us will ever forget him. For me that ever-present smile, hearty handshake and the sly look that said he had something really cool to show me will live in my heart always.

At this point in my life, unexpected phone calls as often as not do not bring good news. Simply put, as the book of life is opened some of us do not make the next page and that’s just the way it is.

So in closing this sad but yet celebratory little note as I looked at the Super Moon last night and early this morning I was immediately reminded that by some strange coincidence yesterday morning I was listening to Jimmy Durante singing I’ll Be Seeing You by Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal.

I’ll be seeing you
In all the old familiar places
That this heart of mine embraces
All day and through
In that small cafe
The park across the way
The children’s carousel
The chestnut trees
The wishing well
I’ll be seeing you
In every lovely summer’s day
In everything that’s night and day
I’ll always think of you that way
I’ll find you in the morning sun
And when the night is new
I’ll be looking at the moon
But I’ll be seeing you
I’ll be seeing you

I’ll be seeing you my friend… in my heart always… In the meantime

Fair wind and following seas brother. My the spirit wind always be at your back!

Big indeed!

Fall was certainly wrapping itself around us as we moved into the Rev. Gary Davis Weekend at the Fur Peace Ranch.

The Fall road behind my little studio

On this glorious weekend the Wonderful Woody Mann came to teach and to amaze and enthrall us on Saturday night at the Fur Peace Station with the Empire Roots Band.

Seth Farber came to join Woody, and played the Birman’s old 1913 Chickering baby grand.

Seth at the Chickering

Also on stage was Bill Sims Jr. Even though with the band, Bill sang and played guitar… he sat down at the grand also.

Bill Sims Jr. at the Chickering...

The music… touching and powerful!

The men, with Brian Glassman on bass

Brian Glassman played upright bass… awesome, in every respect!

Seth, Bill and Woody... Brian in the background

A fantastic measure of sound, passion and tradition!

Brian, Bill, Jorma, Woody and Seth

These aren’t the only moments that uplift my soul… but they’re a big part.

Then before we knew it… Sunday came, Student Performance… pictures…

The gang...

Big thanks to Roy Book Binder and Tom Feldmann for helping to make this weekend possible.

I would like to think that Rev. Davis would have enjoyed this little tribute to his memory!

One of the remaining great radio stations!

I left San Francisco on Monday… next stop NYC. Tuesday, up to Fordham for WFUV with John Platt.

Me and John Platt

John invited me up to the campus to tape a radio show for WFUV. We chewed the fat for a while and I played several songs… then back down to the 70’s and dinner at Serafina. Michael Falzarano joined Myron and myself for a delicious dinner!

Walking around the neighborhood, around the corner from Amsterdam in 76th, was the building where Joe Zinman, Jos Davidson and myself roomed in 1960 when I had an Antioch Co-Op job at the Rusk Institute For Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at 400 E. 34th St.

This used to be the Lincoln Square Hotel… the three of us lived in a two room apartment. Good times!

This used to be the Lincoln Square Hotel

I worked as an attendant at the hospital during the day. I got $80.00 a week before taxes. This was a seminal moment in my life. On my own, paying my own bills and playing guitar in the Village non stop. My first ‘public’ guitar moment in NYC was at Gerde’s Folk City at a Hootenanny run by Brother John Sellers. What a time.

Fast forward to the present, and around the corner from the old Lincoln Square was this:

This is way uptown and a thousand years away from Gerde's!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

The Beacon Theater is such an amazing place.

To see this, to be here... to play.... well.......

I got a chance to play an hour set before Tedeschi/Trucks… the sound was awesome an the audience wonderful!

Jorma Kaukonen 29, 2016
At The Beacon Theater
With Tedeschi/Trucks
New York City, New York
Tuesday, October 4, 2016

1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
3. Dime For Beer
4. San Francisco Bay Blues
5. Sleep Song
6. Good Shepherd
7. Come Back Baby
8. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
9. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
10. I Am The Light Of This World
11. River Of Time
12. That’ll Never Happen No More
13. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning

Then I got together with Derek to go over Let’s Go Get Stoned and Rollin’ And Tumblin’ for their encore.

Thanks Derek... every little bit helps.

Foto by Myron Hart

What an amazing couple of days, and what a great night!

Into the light...

I’d like to walk into this light as long as possible!

That said, it’s great to be home!

Nothing like a morning walk in the woods to get the ball rolling...

Foto by Jorma & Vanessa Kaukonen

Every weekend at the Fur Peace Ranch is special…but if you’re going to grade ’special,’ Couples Weekend is high on the list of specialness! For teachers there myself, (of course), Verlon Thompson, and Kai Eckhardt. Verlon and I opened the Saturday night concert for Roger MacNamee, Jason Crosby, Pete Sears and Jay Lane. Yup… The Doobie Decibel System.

Me and Verlon backstage

Foto by Rusty Smith

Jorma Kaukonen 28, 2016
With Verlon Thompson

1. Back Up & Turn Around, Verlon with Jorma
2. In My Dreams, Jorma with Verlon
3. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here, Jorma with Verlon
4. Come Back Baby, Jorma with Verlon
5. I Will Come Back, Verlon with Jorma
6. Poor Boy, Verlon with Jorma
7. Ain’t In No Hurry, Jorma with Verlon
8. The Guitar, Verlon with Jorma

Our cool little set…

Verlon, Jay, Kai, Me, Roger and Pete

Foto by Jason Crosby

A fine night of music and I got to sit in with the boys.

Then before you knew it… it was Monday and time for everyone to scatter to their homes.

Our class picture...

Jorma, Kai and Nessa

Getting to hang with Kai and Verlon… two very spiritual people was the ongoing frosting on the cake…

Onward!

Me on my new scoot

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

That’s how my week started on Tuesday… New Bike! What’s not to like.

Got a couple of rides in and then it was time to pick Jack, Justin and Phil up at the airport and head to the Dark Star Jubilee… Could it get better?

Justin, setting up... ready to rock!

Weather beautiful… good friends abound!

Jack and Myron

They said it might rain… but it was holding off.

Me and the real Big Dog!

Foto by Suzy Perler

What a great Festival this is and what an honor to be here!

Yummy

Hot Tuna 7, 2016
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
Dark Star Jubilee
Legend Valley
Thornville, Ohio
Saturday, May 28, 2016

1. That’ll Never Happen No More
2. Candy Man
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. A Little Faster
5. Sea Child
6. I See The Light
7. Bowlegged Woman
8. Rock Me Baby
9. Watch The North Wind Rise
10. 99 Year Blues
11. Hesitation Blues
12. Can’t Get Satisfied
13. Funky # 7
14. Hit Single #1

That'll Never Happen No More

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Confab on stage

Foto by Phil Jacobs

After our set, the Dark Star folks graciously invited us to play White Rabbit with them…

Thanks y’all!

Goodnight Dark Star... and goodnight moon...