Outside the hotel

There’s a little coffee shop in the lobby of the hotel, so after a cappuccino and a croissant it was out into the streets to see what was going on.

Out for a fine walk

The streets in this town range from wide boulevards to ones that you can barely fit bicycles on. I chose to walk the narrow streets for the most part.

What is this thing anyway?

Everybody walks or bikes so the pedestrian is right at home here… unlike most cities and roads in the U.S.

Yet one more game store

Gaming is even bigger here than it is at home… there are multi-level game stores everywhere!

The kids

This reminded me of a book my Mom used to read to me as a kid, ‘Make Way For Ducklings.’ You gotta love this! The book was written in 1941 by Robert McCloskey. My time for sure.

The scene of the crime in 1997

Myron and I dropped by Stove’s, where Tuna recorded Live In Japan. Cool beans. Took a couple of snapshots and walked on.

Now that's miso!

Dinner time rolled around and we picked one of the many sushi joints surrounding us.

Unagi and tamago

Yeah, this was delicious and good food is the best bang for your buck in Japan.

Night street

Back to the hotel and now to try to get to sleep.

One more thing. Wally Pfister got in touch with me. A great cinematographer, Wally is directing his first movie, Transcendence. Now I’m japan so I won’t get to see it until I get home but the movie looks great and I was flattered to have one of my songs included in it. Check this out:

http://wareham.wickedlocal.com/article/20140419/NEWS/140415595

Look forward to seeing this flick as soon as I get home. Thanks Wally!

I also look forward to Hot Tuna’s gig at Thumbs Up tomorrow night.

Onward

In 1945 and ‘46 my Father, Jorma Sr., found himself a young Naval officer attached to an Army military intelligence unit with General MacArthur’s staff. As a first generation American born in this country, Dad was already something of a linguist. His first language was Finnish, then English taught at the Carnegie Library in Ironwood, Michigan. As a thirteen year old, the Kaukonen family moved to East L.A., Lincoln Heights to be exact… so his next language was Spanish. His younger brothers were combat vets, Tarmo in North Africa and Italy and Pentti in the Pacific, winding up in the Philippines. Dad was a little older and he had to jump through hoops in order to enlist. they sent him to the Navy Language School in Ann Arbor an he learned Japanese. (Before Dad went home for the last time, he would master Urdu, Tagalog and Swedish.)

After the fire bombing of Tokyo, there was little left standing save plumbing and iron safes. Dad and his buds would sift through the ashes of the city and crack safes to see if there were any relevant documents inside and at night they were billeted with Douglas MacArthur’s guys at the Grand Hotel in Yokohama. (Interestingly enough, still standing.) When I was here with Hot Tuna in 1997, that’s where we stayed.

Evening in Yokohama

After an eleven an a half hour flight from Denver, we arrived in Narita welcomed by a gentle Spring rain. A couple hours later after checking into the hotel in Yokohama, we took a walk to find an eatery.

A ramen shop... yeah buddy!

A simply delicious bowl of Ramen an some Gyoza! A man’s gotta eat.

Jack, Douglas our promoter, myelf an Myron Hart... yummy

Floto by unknown waitress.

It’s 0100 here in Japan… thirteen hours and a day off from Ohio time. I’m awake… obviously. Hmm. how did that happen? I figured I’d answer some emails, update my blog and see if I can get back to sleep. Today is a bona fide day off so I’m going to walk around the port. Tomorrow we play Thumbs Up here in Yokohama. In 1997 Hot Tuna did a live recording here (Hot Tuna, Live In Japan) at a little club called Stoves which is owned by the guy who also owns Thumbs Up.

We’re looking forward to a great couple of weeks here, and we’re going to keep all of you in the loop.

Sayonara

Blue skies... nothing but....

Yeah I know Wanee was last week… I’ve been busy…

How’s about the Blind Boys Of Alabama?

All who wander are not blind...

We drove down… did the show… and drove back to the Ranch. Here is our set list from Wanee:

Hot Tuna 35, 2014
The Electric Quartet
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
Barry Mitterhoff & Skoota Warner
Wanee Music Festival
The Mushroom Stage
Live Oak, Florida
Thursday, April 10, 2014

1. Can’t Get Satisfied
2. Ode To Billy Dean
3. I See The Light
4. Hesitation Blues
5. Bowlegged Woman
6. Come Back Baby
7. Children Of Zion
8. 99 Year Blues
9. Rock Me Baby
10. Water Song
11. Funky #7

Let's hit trhe road!

Back at the Ranch, at the Happy Traum, John Sebastian show, Vanessa and Hurl called Jack and had the audience wish him a happy birthday!

Happy birthday Jack!

Foto by Dennis Powell

Happy Traum absolutely rocked the house… He’s just getting better and better!

The man... the legend!

Foto by Dennis Powell

The great Larry Campbell sat in with everyone, of course and graced the stage with his elegance.

Sawing on the strings

Foto by Dennis Powell

John Sebastian made the scene and well… was terrific!

Sing out brother!

Foto by Dennis Powell

And… well… me too!

Hootenany in Darwin

Foto by Dennis Powell

Yeah folks… good time for sure… and long week, but a good time!

If you build it... they will come!

The second weekend of 2014 at the Fur Peace Ranch featured Marjorie Thompson, David Wolff and myself tag teaming 18 eager guitarists… and what a time we had. I thoroughly enjoyed this class and we’re definitely doing it again next year.

Seventeen years later, Miss Kitty still rules the roost.

Foto by Dennis Powell

The sold out concert Saturday night was in the person of the Desert Rose Band. That would be Chris Hillman, Herb Pederson, and john Jorgenson. Now I’ve known Chris and Herb for a while but this was the first that I not only got to hear John Jorgenson play live, but I got to sit in with the band.

Sittin' in with the boys!

Foto by Dennis Powell

What a treat that was.

The guys played on great song after another… I was in heaven.

Happy camper!

Foto by Dennis Powell

Yeah… what a night!

The band played on...

Foto by Dennis Powell

Yeah… this was a night… and a weekend to remember! Come back soon fellas!

A good time had by all!

Foto by Rusty Smith

Yeah… this was great weekend. Now it’s off to Wanee tomorrow night for our gig on Thursday. Driving back after the show for the next Fur Peace Ranch session.

Good times!

Really big show tonight!

The weekend premiered the 17th year of our amazing Fur Peace Ranch. Aside from the great classes we offered, Verlon Thompson with a songwriting class, Jack Casady with a bass workshop and Marjorie Thompson and me with a fingerstyle guitar class, the theme of which was, ‘Love Is Strange, we also had two concert nights with the Marty Balin Band.

Vanessa an Johnny Hurlbut welcome the folks to our 17th year

Here is Tuna’s set list from the first night:

Hot Tuna 33, 2014
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
Fur Peace Station
Darwin, Ohio
Saturday, March 22, 2014

1. Hesitation Blues
2. Living In The Moment
3. Trial By Fire
4. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
5. Heart Temporary
6. Bar Room Crystal Ball
7. Water Song
8. In My Dreams
9. 99 Year Blues
10. I See The Light

Living the life I love

Foto by Dennis Powell

It was more than great to see Marty and his friends after all these years.

The man hasn't slipped a bit

Marty played a fabulous two plus hour set and Jack and I joined his for a rousing rendition of Volunteers…

Lloyd Goldstein... playing upright for Marty

Marty’s bass player, Lloyd Goldstein, playing some absolutely amazing music over the course of the two nights.

Here is Tuna’s st from night two:

Hot Tuna 34, 2014
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
Fur Peace Station
Darwin, Ohio
Sunday, March 23, 2014

1. True Religion
2. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
3. Sea Child
4. Good Shepherd
5. Barbeque King
6. I Am The Light Of This World
7. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning

A lovely Sunday night for the boys!

There's nobody like this guy...

Foto by Dennis Powell

This time, I brought my LP-295 for the sit in with the boys… nothing like a Les Paul I always say… and some serious rockin’ got done. We played three songs with Marty… Volunteers, Plastic Fantastic Lover and on of Marty’s new songs. Marty also sat in on Jack’s class and gave the students some insights into his art!

Marty and Lloyd were joined onstage by Charles Morrongiello on guitar. Helluva picker, this one!

Here I am with Charles in the green room

What a treat this weekend was… we’ve got to do this again… maybe even a tour!

Jorma, Jack, Marty and Charles

Sue took this pic with my iPhone.

A grand time for all… I can’t wait for the next time we all get together!

Well, just about a week ago, Hot Tuna finished up what might be our longest tour with the most number of jobs… ever.

Now the following list brackets the two weeks that I was teaching at Fur Peace Ranch In San Diego so we’re really talking about stuffing all these gigs into about six weeks. Check it out!

Tuna Gigs 1 thru 32, 2014
2/28/2014

1. Hot Tuna 1, The Iron Horse, Northampton, Mass. Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014
2. Hot Tuna 2, The Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, Westhampton, NY, Friday, Jan. 3, 2014
3. Hot Tuna 3, The Flying Monkey Performance Center, Plymouth, New Hampshire, Saturday, January 4, 2014
4. Hot Tuna 4, The Opera House, Boothbay Harbor, Maine, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014
5. Hot Tuna 5, Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, Connecticut, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014
6. Hot Tuna 6, The Wilbur Theater, Boston, Massachusetts, Thursday Jan. 9, 2014
7. Hot Tuna 7, The Keswick Theater, Glenside, Pennsylvania, Friday, Jan. 10, 2014
8. Hot Tuna 8, State Theater, State College, Pennsylvania, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014
9. Hot Tuna 9, The Birchmere, Alexandria, Virginia, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014
10. Hot Tuna 10, The Neighborhood Theater, Charlotte, North Carolina, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014
11. Hot Tuna 11, The Variety Theater, Atlanta, Georgia, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014
12. Hot Tuna 12, Plaza Live, Orlando, Florida, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
13. Hot Tuna 13, Sunshine Music & Blues Festival, Miner Park, Boca Raton, Florida, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014
14. Hot Tuna 14, Sunshine Music & Blues Festival, Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg, Florida, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014
15. Hot Tuna 15, One World Theater, Austin, Texas, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014
16. Hot Tuna 16, The House Of Blues, Dallas, Texas, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014
17. Hot Tuna 17, The Talking Stick Casino, Scottsdale, Arizona, Friday, Jan. 24, 2014
18. Hot Tuna 18, The Rialto Theater, Tucson, Arizona, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014
19. Hot Tuna 19, The Belly Up, Solano Beach, California, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014
20. Hot Tuna 20, McCabe’s Music Store, Santa Monica, California, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014
21. Hot Tuna 21, McCabe’s Music Store, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014
22. Hot Tuna 22, The Tower Theater, Fresno, California, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014
23. Hot Tuna 23, Freight & Salvage Coffee House, Berkeley, California, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014
24. Hot Tuna 24, The Crest Theater, Sacramento, California, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014
25. Hot Tuna 25, Humboldt Brews, Arcata, California, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014
26. Hot Tuna 26, The Rogue Theater, Grants Pass, Oregon, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014
27. Hot Tuna 27, The McDonald Theater, Eugene, Oregon, Monday, Feb. 17, 2014
28. Hot Tuna 28, The Aladdin Theater, Portland, Oregon, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014
29. Hot Tuna 29, The Triple Door, Seattle, Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2014
30. Hot Tuna 30, The Egyptian Theater, Boise, Idaho, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2014
31. Hot Tuna 31, The State House, Salt Lake City, Utah, Friday, Feb. 22, 2014
32. Hot Tuna 32, The Oriental Theater, Denver, Colorado, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2014

Not bad eh?

Meanwhile, back on the farm, even though we have wintry mix today, Spring was evidenced by birds earlier and by Late Models in the Mall… when I was getting my haircut… Before the FPR, I used to sponsor one of these behemoths.

Go fast... turn left

If you're not the lead dog... the view is always the same!

That’s it for now… gotta walk Maverick, Dog Of Destiny…

Roadsid repairs... Phil, Chris and Myron

It’s been a hectic five days… the blog takes time and I just didn’t have it. Anyway, the trip from Portland to Seattle started with a breakdown by the side of the road with repairs orchestrated by our driver, the incomparable Chris Seay.

Finally... the Tripple Door

We got to the Triple Door just in time for our last show with David Lindley.

Hot Tuna 29, 2014
The Acoustic Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Barry Mitterhoff
The Triple Door
Seattle, Washington
2/20/2014

1. Too Many Years
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Children Of Zion
4. Second Chances
5. Vicksburg Stomp
6. How Long Blues
7. Prohibition Blues
8. Trial By Fire
9. Barbeque King
10. 99 year Blues
11. In My Dreams
12. Come Back Baby
13. Bar Room Crystal Ball
14. Water Song
15. Nine Pound Hammer
16. Encore: That’ll Never Happen No More

After the show, we started our drive to Boise…

Roll on Columbia... roll on!

We got to Boise in time to check into a wonderful little hotel… the 43. and then we headed over to the Egyptian… an amazing theater from the 20’s.

Welcome to Boise

You don't see this every day

Where's King Tut?

Ceilings... we're painting ceilings...

Stage Facade

Here is our set list:

Hot Tuna 30, 2014
The Acoustic Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Barry Mitterhoff
The Egyptian Theater
Boise, Idaho
2/21/2014

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Been So Long
4. Trial By Fire
5. Second Chances
6. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
7. How Long Blues
8. 99 Year Blues
9. Barbeque King
10. I Know You Rider
Second Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Children Of Zion
3. Prohibition Blues
4. Vicksburg Stomp
5. Things That Might Have Been
6. Red River Blues
7. Good Shepherd
8. Bar Room Crystal Ball
9. Water Song
10. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed And Burning
11. Encore: Embryonic Journey

Where's the dig?

Foto by Jack Casady

On to Salt Lake City and the State Room.

Sold out!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Sunset in Salt Lake City

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 31, 2014
The Acoustic Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Barry Mitterhoff
The State Room
Salt Lake City, Utah
2/22/2014

First Set:
1. Too Many Years
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Let Us Get Together right Down Here
4. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
5. How Long Blues
6. Vicksburg Stomp
7. Things That Might Have Been
8. 99 Year Blues
9. I Am The Light Of This World
10. Come Back Baby
11. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
2. I See The Light
3. Heart Temporary
4. Red River Blues
5. The Terrible Operation
6. Barbeque King
7. Prohibition Blues
8. Bar Room Crystal Ball
9. Water Song
10. Candy Man
11. Nine Pound Hammer
12. Encore: Trial By Fire

Onward to Denver… after show… no hotel.

The Oriental... Denver

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 32, 2014
The Acoustic Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Barry Mitterhoff
The Oriental Theater
Denver, Colorado
2/23/2014

First Set:
1. Re-Enlistment bBues
2. Mama Let Me Lay It On You
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Second Chances
5. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
6. How Long Blues
7. Serpent Of Dreams
8. 99 Year Blues
9. I Am The Light Of This World
10. I Know You Rider
Second Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Prohibition Blues
3. In My Dreams
4. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
5. Trial By Fire
6. Vicksburg Stomp
7. Candy Man
8. Bar Room Crystal Ball
9. Water Song
10. Keep On Trucking Mama
11. Come Back Baby
12. Nine Pound Hammer
13. Encore: Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out

It’s now Monday morning and it’s time to hit the bus for the ride home.

More will be revealed.

In good company!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Last night we were at the good old Aladdin Theater for a sold out show with David Lindley. We are pulling into end of this great run with David. It has and will continue to be an honor and a pleasure to share the stage with him. We sure hope we get to do it again soon.

By the bye, the great Tony Furtado sat in with David last night which was incredibly cool.

The mighty Aladdin from the stage...

Anyway…

Here is our set list:

Hot Tuna 28, 2014
The Acoustic Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Barry Mitterhoff
The Aladdin Theater
Portland, Oregon
2/18/2014

1. True Religion
2. Hesitation Blues
3. New Song For The Morning
4. The Terrible Operation
5. I See The Light
6. Barbeque King
7. Trial By Fire
8. 99 Year Blues
9. I’ll Let You Know Before I leave
10. How Long Blues
11. Candy Man
12. Good Shepherd
13. Bar Room Crystal Ball
14. Water Song
15. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
16. Encore: Death Don’t Have No Mercy

I had a terrific time at the Aladdin as I always do, but I was ready for bed when we were done. Good times… always.

We were originally supposed to drive to Seattle today but the bus needed to have a water pump replaced so we got a day off in Portland… which was OK with m because I got to get on the Blue Line and ride into town so I could go shopping at the Portland Outdoor Store for some real shrink to fit Levis… you know what I mean. The Portland Outdoor Store is really old school in every respect… no website, no internet shopping. Your either go there or call them up. Love it!

Waiting for the Tri-Met downtown Portland

A little rain, but with my Honored Citizen (their Senior Citizen Card) pass… it was a buck for the ride.

My chariot arrives...

Tomorrow, bus repair willing, we drive up to Seattle for our show at the Triple Door.

No hotel tomorrow… we drive after show to Boise, Idaho for our gig at the Egyptian Theater.

More will be revealed about all these things. Now I’m starting to think about dinner… hmmm….

The MacDonald Theater in Eugene

Foto by Phil Jacobs

So, last night the guys and I and David Lindley were at the MacDonald Theater in Eugene, Oregon. Eugene has always been one of those very special places… and it still is. Ken Kesey’s spirit still infuses the surroundings and I find that othertime merges seamlessly with the present under the umbrella of his aura.

Great poster!

What a beautifully restored and maintained theater.

Ken... what a guy!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Check this interior

Every inch of this place is beautiful…

Another architectural picture

Meanwhile… downstairs in the dressing room…

The route to the stage...

David Lindley at sound check

Touring with David Lindley is an absolute pleasure and an honor. There is nothing quite like him in my world. He is a national treasure!

Ultimately good old Hot Tuna hit the stage and here is our set list:

Hot Tuna 27, 2014
The Acoustic Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Barry Mitterhoff
McDonald Theater
Eugene, Oregon
2/17/2014

1. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
2. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
3. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
4. How Long Blues
5. I See The Light
6. Things That Might Have Been
7. Hesitation Blues
8. Trial By Fire
9. Come Back Baby
10. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
11. In My Dreams
12. I’ll Be All Right Some Day
13. Vicksburg Stomp
14. Good Shepherd
15. Bar Room Crystal Ball
16. Water Song
17. I Know You Rider
18. Encore: That’ll Never Happen No More

On stage at the MacDonald witht the boys

The party's over...

Onward to Portland and the Aladdin.

How's this for a pair of Rogue's

Nice old picture eh? Good looking pants Jorma!

Another couple of shots from last night.

Nice gig... the brewery is actually in the Carolinas.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Jerry wuz here a long time ago

Here is our set list for tonight at the Rogue:

Hot Tuna 26, 2014
The Acoustic Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Barry Mitterhoff
The Rogue Theater
Grants Pass, Oregon
2/16/2014

1. True Religion
2. Hesitation Blues
3. I See The Light
4. Second Chances
5. Trial By Fire
6. The Terrible Operation
7. Mama Let Me Lay It On You
8. Barbeque King
9. Vicksburg Stomp
10. Good Shepherd
11. Bar Room Crystal Ball
12. Water Song
13. I Am The Light Of This World
14. Nine Pound Hammer
15. Encore: That’ll Never Happen No More

That’s about it for now… great show for us and David Lindley. On to Eugene…

The mighty Rogue...

Foto by Phil Jacobs