Foto by John Hurlbut

Our second week at Sanibel was a so called ‘Master’s” class. I am a little reluctant to use such terms of exalted description but the guys guys could all really play well and were all ‘masters’ in their own realm. This class was a little experiment on my part and I shall digest the results from my point of view in time. I had been thinking about what I could offer a good player in such a class. Song catching is important, but anyone can learn a song. To me it is the interpretation, the way one communicates and inflects emotion in an accessible way that is important. In my own way I tried to talk about what I consider to be the four important qualities in a musician. Technique, Tone, Timing and Taste… not necessarily in that order. I’ll wait for some feedback to determine how successful I was.

Including the jam Cruise and the four gigs Acoustic Hot Tuna did in Florida by the time I landed yesterday I had been gone a month. I thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship and the quality of life to be found on Sanibel, but here at home I’m not minding the sub freezing weather at all!

Anyway, Thursday night Hurl and I did a little show for friends and Ranchers in the FPR Room at the Sundial Resort.

Foto by Pete Stern

After about a half an hour with me, Johnny took center stage and I had the honor of accompanying him for about an hour!

Foto by Pete Stern

This is big fun for both of us and on Friday the 15th, we’ll be playing four our Valentine’s Day Dinner here at the Fur Peace Ranch!

As for sunny Sanibel in the winter…

Foto by John Hurlbut

Foto by John Hurlbut

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Home, Home, Home

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

In the world of ships, the water is everything…

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Back at sea again, Tuna played the Starlight Room with Steve Kimock and Leslie Mendelson

Hot Tuna 2 , 2019
The Electric Trio Plus Two
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady, Justin Guip
Steve Kimock & Leslie Mendelson
Jam Cruise
The Norwegian Jade
Somewhere In The Gulf Of Mexico Between
Progresso, Mexico & Miami
Saturday, January 19, 2019

1. I See The Light
2. Ain’t In No Hurry
3. Come Back Baby
4. Roads and Roads &
5. Trial By Fire
6. Hesitation Blues with Steve
7. Hit Single #1 with Steve
8. Bowlegged Woman with Steve
9. 3/5’s Of A Mile In 10 Seconds with Steve & Leslie
10. Trouble In Mind with Steve & Leslie
11. Can’t Get Satisfied with Steve & Leslie
12. 3rd Week In The Chelsea with Steve
13. Sleep Song with Steve
14. Good Shepherd with Steve & Leslie
15. Funky #7 with Steve

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

And then… dry land!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

A breeze through customs, rented vans and down to Key West.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Hot Tuna 3, 2019
Hot Tuna
The Acoustic Duo
Key West Theater
Key West, Florida
Tuesday, January 22, 2019

First Set:
1. Dime For Beer
2. Second Chances
3. Been So Long
4. Hesitation Blues
5. Heart Temporary
6. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
7. Barbeque King
8. Sleep Song
9. Watch The North Wind Rise
10. Trial By Fire
11. How Long Blues
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning

Second Set:
1. Serpent Of Dreams
2. Too Many Years
3. San Francisco Bay Blues
4. Day To Day Out The Window Blues
5. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
6. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
7. I’ll Be All Right Some Day
8. Full Go Round
9. Sea Child
10. Good Shepherd
11. I Am The Light Of This World
12. I Know You Rider

There are probably some discrepancies here… but that’s Key West!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

I got a chance to drive by the old Conch House where Nessa and I lived when we first got married.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Not much had changed… modern windows though!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 4, 2019
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Plaza Theater
Orlando, Florida
Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019

First Set:
1. Been So Long
2. True Religion
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Things That Might Have Been
5. Serpent Of Dreams
6. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
7. Day To Day Out The Window Blues
8. How Long Blues
9. San Francisco Bay Blues
10. Sleep Song
11. I Am The Light Of This World
12. Trouble In Mind

Second Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
3. Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
4. The Terrible Operation
5. Come Back Baby
6. Ain’t In No Hurry
7. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
8. Whining Boy Blues
9. Sea Child
10. Good Shepherd
11. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
12. I Know You Rider
13. Encore: Barbeque King

Then to Clearwater…

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 5, 2019
The Acoustic Duo
The Capitol Theater
Clearwater, Florida
Friday, January 25, 2019

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Wolves & Lambs
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Barbeque King
5. Been So Long
6. Heart Temporary
7. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
8. Candy Man
9. Sea Child
10. Watch The North Wind Rise
11. How Long Blues
12. San Francisco Bay Blues

Second Set:
1. Serpent Of Dreams
2. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
3. Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
4. Dime For Beer
5. Trouble In Mind
6. Search My Heart
7. Day To Day Out The Window Blues
8. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
9. Sleep Song
10. Good Shepherd
11. Come Back Baby
12. I Know You Rider
13. Encore: Embryonic Journey

Foto by Phil Jacobs

And then to Bonita Springs…

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 6, 2019
The Acoustic Duo
Southwest Florida Events Center
Bonita Springs, Florida
Saturday, January 26, 2019

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. Too Many Years
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Been So Long
5. Barbeque King
6. San Francisco Bay Blues
7. Sleep Song
8. Watch The North Wind Rise
9. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
10. Come Back Baby
11. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning

Second Set:
1. I See The Light
2. The Terrible Operation
3. Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
4. River Of Time
5. Candy Man
6. Day To Day Out The Window Blues
7. How Long Blues
8. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
9. Sea Child
10. Trial By Fire
11. Good Shepherd
12. Ain’t In No Hurry
13. I Know You Rider
14. Encore: Genesis

Yesterday the boys flew out and I met John Hurlbut at the airport with a quick trip to Sanibel Island where we will spend the next two weeks with Fur Peace Ranch on the road.

Sure has been an interesting two weeks…

Just sayin’

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Well this was to be Hot Tuna’s first jam cruise and frankly, it’s awesome! Lot’s of good folks, good music and good food!

Annabelle is the lady who gets it done here… monumental job!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

We made a stop in Belize and went to the Mayan ruins at Alton Ha.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Foto by Justin Guip

Then it was time for a show at the poolside stage!

Hot Tuna 1, 2019
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady, Justin Guip
Steve Kimock & Leslie Mendelson
Poolside Stage
Norwegian Jade
Somewhere Between Belize And Mexico
Thursday, January 17, 2019

1. Been So Long
2. True Religion
3. Talkin’ Bout You
4. Ode To Billy Dean
5. Living Just For You
6. Wolves & Lambs with Steve
7. Hesitation Blues with Steve
8. Walkin’ Blues with Steve
9. Bowlegged Woman with Steve
10. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out with Steve & Leslie
11. Trouble In Mind with Steve & Leslie
12. Sea Child with Steve
13. Good Shepherd with Steve
14. Funky # 7 With Steve

The next day we docked at Cozumel.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

This touring world is an interesting world… I’m going to try to upload this now.

More will be revealed!

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

I arrived in Miami this afternoon, but a day or so ago, this was the sight as I took Vanessa out to dinner. I actually love winter weather… when it is really winter weather. If it’s going to be Winter, let it snow. After dinner getting back to the Ranch, it looked like this:

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

This morning Izze’s Middle School was on a two hour delay so I let her sleep as Myron and I drove up to the airport in Columbus.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Tomorrow we board ship and set sail for what will be our first Jam Cruise. I shall report more on this as connectivity allows.

On to Belize!

Foto by Suzy Perler

So… four days late, but no dollars short. The trip to Freight And Salvage for New Years was awesome, but it’s great to be home for a bit! It was more that great to see old friends and to share our music the the folks out west!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 62, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
AND
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Justin Guip
A Mélange Of Music To Bring In The New Year At
The Freight & Salvage Coffee House
Berkeley, California
Monday, December 31, 2018

Acoustic Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Second Chances
3. I’ll Be All Right Some Day
4. Barbeque King
5. Things That Might Have Been
6. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
7. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
8. The Terrible Operation
9. In My Dreams
10. Come Back Baby
11. San Francisco Bay Blues
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
13. Living In The Moment
14. I Am The Light Of This World
15. Trouble In Mind

Electric Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Walkin’ Blues
4. Talkin’ Bout You
5. Sleep Song
6. Trial By Fire
7. Ode To Billy Dean
8. Good Shepherd
9. Bowlegged Woman
10. Come Back Baby
11. Can’t Get Satisfied
12. Funky #7
13. Encore: Hit Single # 1

Thanks to everyone who tried to help… above is the truth from my faithful guitar tech Myron Hart who keeps track of such things.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

More to say but the Honeydew List comes first!

Good to be home!

Vanessa, Izze and I as well as two of Izze’s friends from school all came to the Bay Area together for these shows at Freight And Salvage and we had a little time to take the girls on some great sightseeing trips.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Nessa and Izze and her buddies at the Lone Sailor Memorial. Just another memorial to them, but it reminded me that my Dad sailed out under the Golden Gate on a troop transport in 1944 to fight in WWII. Glad he made it back… my Uncle Pentti too…

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Just one of those rare magical days in the Bay Area in Winter. Lucky to be a part of it!

We couldn’t get any farther into the Headlands. Closed due to government shutdown.Don’t get me started. Then we joined Jack Casady and Madame Cecilia Chiang at In Situ at the Museum Of Modern Art. In 1964 I was barely getting by as a college student and aspiring musician. Cecelia had just opened her Mandarin Restaurant on Post Street. With barely enough money for a small dinner, she always treated me and my family with respect and I shall never forget this. At 99 years of age, she is still a force of nature and it was an honor for us to have our daughter Izze, meet her!

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

I will always treasure this moment! It is the memories of times like these that help define our lives!

Parking sentiment for a moment, I let the ladies do some shopping and I killed time until they were done.

Then out Geary Blvd. to a vista point near Cliff House… just in time to catch the last rays of light.

Foto by Izze Kaukonen

A fine day of sightseeing with the family and then, time to get to work.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

The first night was just Jack and myself… and here it is:

Hot Tuna 60, 2019
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
Freight & Salvage
Berkeley, California
Saturday, December 29, 2018

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Barbeque King
4. Serpent Of Dreams
5. River Of Time
6. I Am The Light Of This World
7. How Long Blues
8. Sleep Song
9. Trial By Fire
10. Watch The North Wind Rise
11. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning

Second Set:
1. Been So Long
2. Second Chances
3. Whining Boy Blues
4. Day To Day Out The Window Blues
5. Search My Heart
6. Heart Temporary
7. San Francisco Bay Blues
8. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
9. Sea Child
10. Good Shepherd
11. Come Back Baby
12. I Know You Rider
13. Encore: Water Song

Foto by Suzy Perler

Hot Tuna 61, 2018
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Justin Guip
Freight And Salvage
Berkeley, California
December 30, 2018

First Set:

1. True Religion
2. Wolves & Lambs
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. Can’t Get Satisfied
5. Hesitation Blues
6. Living Just For You
7. Sea Child
8. Day To Day Out The Window Blues
9. Talkin’ Bout You
10. Bowlegged Woman

Second set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Candy Man
3. Walkin Blues
4. I Wish You Would
5. Roads And Roads &
6. Watch The North Wind Rise
7. Sleep Song
8. Good Shepherd
9. Hit Single # 1
10. Funky # 7
11. Encore: Water Song

Yeah, I know… we encored with Water Song two days in a row… not tonight I betcha.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

It’s been a long run… it’s been a good run and what better place to finish it up than the Boulder Theater in Boulder, Colorado.

Hot Tuna 59, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
Boulder Theater
Boulder, Colorado
Friday, December 14, 2018

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Second Chances
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Serpent Of Dreams
5. Day To Day Out The Window Blues
6. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
7. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
8. Things That Might Have Been
9. San Francisco Bay Blues
10. Things That Might Have Been
11. Sleep Song
12. Trial By Fire
13. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
14. Trouble In Mind

Second Set:
1. Too Many Years
2. Wolves & Lambs
3. I See The Light
4. Barbeque King
5. Been So Long
6. I Am The Light Of This World
7. River Of Time
8. How Long Blues
9. Sea Child
10. Good Shepherd
11. Bar Room Crystal Ball
12. Water Song
13. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
14. Encore: Embryonic Journey

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

After the gig the bus dropped Jack and myself off at the hotel by the airport. It was an early flight for me and even with delays I was back at my house by five PM. The bus with Myron and Phil arrived at 0900 this morning and tomorrow I head up to Pittsburgh for the Tree Of Life Benefit.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

It’s been quite a run. I’ll be home Wednesday with a couple of days with the family before heading out to California for the three day Hot Tuna New Year’s Gala at the Freight And Salvage.

Onward!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Kudos to the good folks at the Clyde Theater and also to the good folks at Sweetwater Music. for making this great gig available to the community!

Hot Tuna 52, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
The Clyde Theater
Ft. Wayne, Indiana
Wednesday, December 5, 2018

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Second Chances
3. Hesitation Blues
4. I See The Light
5. Things That Might Have Been
6. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
7. Come Back Baby
8. Full Go Round
9. Sea Child
10. In The Kingdom
11. Trouble In Mind
12. San Francisco Bay Blues

Second Set:
1. Candy Man
2. I’ll Be All Right Someday
3. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
4. Barbeque King
5. Serpent Of Dreams
6. River Of Time
7. I Am The Light Of This World
8. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
9. Sleep Song
10. Good Shepherd
11. Bar Room Crystal Ball
12. How Long Blues
13. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
14. Encore: Genesis

Then it was onward to the Old Town School Of Folk Music in Chicago for two shows back to back!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Back at Antioch College in the late 50’s this was the Holy Grail of picking. Now Jack and I get to play it!

Hot Tuna 53 & 54, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
The Old Town School Of Folk Music
Chicago, Illinois
Friday, December 7, 2018

First Show, Hot Tuna 53:
1. Second Chances
2. Too Many Years
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Trouble In Mind
5. Day To Day Out The Window Blues
6. Serpent Of Dreams
7. Barbeque King
8. Sleep Song
9. Trial By Fire
10. Living In The Moment
11. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
12. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
13. How long Blues
14. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
15. Encore: Embryonic Journey
Second Show Hot Tuna 54:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Wolves & Lambs
3. San Francisco Bay Blues
4. Come Back Baby
5. Been So Long
6. Waiting For A Train
7. Things That Might Have Been
8. I Know You Rider
9. Sea Child
10. Watch The North Wind Rise
11. Good Shepherd
12. Bar Room Crystal Ball
13. Water Song
14. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
15. Encore: Genesis
Yup, one night… two shows!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

The Hopkins Center was another new gig for us, and we sure hope we get to come back!

Hot Tuna 55, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
The Hopkins Center For The Arts
Hopkins, Minnesota
Saturday, December 8, 2018

First Set:
1. Candy Man
2. Search My Heart
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Been So Long
5. Day To Day Out The Window Blues
6. In My Dreams
7. River Of Time
8. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
9. Barbeque King
10. Trial By Fire
11. Watch The North Wind Rise
12. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
13. Trouble In Mind

Second Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Too Many Years
3. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
4. I See The Light
5. Come Back Baby
6. I Know You Rider
7. Sleep Song
8. Good Shepherd
9. The Terrible Operation
10. Bar Room Crystal Ball
11. San Francisco Bay Blues
12. Keep You’re Lamps Trimmed & Burning
13. Encore: Embryonic Journey

Then it was off to the Barrymore Theater in Madison. It’s been way too long since we graced these boards!

Hot Tuna 56, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
The Barrymore Theater
Madison, Wisconsin
Sunday, December 9, 2018

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. Been So Long
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Things That Might Have Been
5. Day To Day Out The Window Blues
6. How Long Blues
7. River Of Time
8. I Am The Light Of This World
9. Sleep Song
10. Trial By Fire
11. Barbeque King
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning

Second Set:
1. Too Many Years
2. Wolves & Lambs
3. I See The Light
4. Come Back Baby
5. Let Us Bet Together Right Down Here
6. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
7. Brother Can You Spare A Dime
8. Whining Boy Blues
9. Sea Child
10. Good Shepherd
11. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
12. San Francisco Bay Blues
13. Trouble In Mind
14. Encore: Water Song

Then to St. Louis to the Delmar.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

For us… a sold out show!

Hot Tuna 57, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
Delmar Hall
St. Louis, Missouri
Tuesday, December 11, 2018

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Second Chances
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Serpent Of Dreams
5. Day To Day Out The Window Blues
6. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
7. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
8. Full Go Round
9. Sea Child
10. Watch The North Wind Rise
11. Candy Man
12. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here

Second Set:
1. Too Many Years
2. Wolves & Lambs
3. San Francisco Bay Blues
4. What Are They Doing In Heaven Today
5. Barbeque King
6. Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
7. I Am The Light Of This World
8. River Of Time
9. Come Back Baby
10. Sleep Song
11. Trial By Fire
12. Good Shepherd
13. Trouble In Mind
14. I Know You Rider
15. Encore: Water Song

Then rockin’ on to Lawrence, Kansas.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 58, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
Liberty Hall
Lawrence, Kansas
Wednesday, December 12, 2018

First Set:
1. Dime For Beer
2. How Long Blues
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Been So Long
5. Heart Temporary
6. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
7. Day To Day Out The Window Blues
8. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
9. Sleep Song
10. Trial By Fire
11. Things That Might Have Been
12. Trouble In Mind

Second Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Second Chances
3. I See The Light
4. Come Back Baby
5. San Francisco Bay Blues
6. I Am The Light Of This World
7. River Of Time
8. True Religion
9. Living In The Moment
10. Sea Child
11. Good Shepherd
12. Waiting For A Train
13. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
14. Encore: Water Song

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

After show a drive across Kansas to Boulder, where we are now.

Busy, busy, busy….

Always good…

Before the gig at the new City Winery in our old hometown, D.C. Jack and I stopped by Sirius/XM Satellite Radio to chat with Paul Shaffer. Paul was big fun on every level. He’s a great musician, a great interviewer and best of all, a great guy! I’d visit him anywhere from Vegas to D.C.

After the Interview we slipped over to the new City Winery for our first gig there. When I was growing up in D.C. I would have never found myself in N.E. but on this day, there we were. Time marches on! I love the Winery gigs, and they seem to love us!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 47, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
The City Winery
Washington, D.C.
Tuesday, November 27, 2018

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Too Many Years
3. Hesitation Blues
4. How Long Blues
5. Been So Long
6. River Of Time
7. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
8. Barbeque King
9. Sleep Song
10. Trial by Fire
11. Wining Boy Blues
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning

Second Set:
1. Serpent Of Dreams
2. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
3. Heart Temporary
4. That’ll Never Happen No More
5. Come Back Baby
6. San Francisco Bay Blues
7. Sea Child
8. Good Shepherd
9. Bar Room Crystal Ball
10. Water Song
11. I Know You Rider
12. Encore: Watch The North Wind Rise

Then it was up to Owings Mills and another great gig.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Hot Tuna 48, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
The Gordon Center For The Performing Arts
Owings Mills, Maryland
Thursday, November 29, 2018

First Set:
1. Search My Heart
2. Been So Long
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Heart Temporary
5. Third Week In The Chelsea
6. Barbeque King
7. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
8. Sleep Song
9. Trial By Fire
10. Watch The North Wind Rise
11. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
12. San Francisco Bay Blues

Second Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Ain’t In No Hurry
3. Wolves & Lambs
4. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
5. Come Back Baby
6. River Of Time
7. Whining Boy Blues
8. Sea Child
9. Good Shepherd
10. That’ll Never Happen No More
11. Water Song
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
13. Encore: Embryonic Journey

After this great gig we drove after show to Marietta, Ohio… almost in my backyard!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

In 1992 or thereabouts, my dear friend Keith Gatto had me play at the Lafayette Hotel for the Marietta Blues Society. Keith was our family doctor as well as a friend and I was honored to be able to speak a his memorial service. Keith has been gone almost 20 years now and like my Mom and Dad, I still miss him.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

When I moved to Ohio in 1991 I found myself reading all of the Allan Eckert books about the Northwest Territory. A Sorrow In Our Heart comes to mind immediately! Lots of memories from those early days in what has become my home.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

The People’s Theater is awesome!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Hot Tuna 49, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
The People’s Bank Theater
Marietta, Ohio
Friday, November 30, 2018

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. Been So Long
3. Hesitation Blues
4. River Of Time
5. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
6. Barbeque King
7. In My Dreams
8. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
9. Trial By Fire
10. Watch The North Wind Rise
11. How Long Blues
12. San Francisco Bay Blues

Second Set:
1. Serpent Of Dreams
2. I’ll Be All Right Some Day
3. Ain’t In No Hurry
4. Third Week In The Chelsea
5. Come Back Baby
6. Keep YUur Laps rimmed & Burning
7. Full Go Round
8. Sleep Song
9. Good Shepherd
10. Trouble In MInd
11. I Know You Rider
12. Encore: Water Song

Then it was up to the Ark in Ann Arbor

Hot Tuna 50, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
The Ark
An Arbor, Michigan
Saturday, December 1, 2018

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Too Many Years
3. Hesitation Blues
4. I See The Light
5. Barbeque King
6. Search My Heart
7. River Of Time
8. Sleep Song
9. In The Kingdom
10. The Terrible Operation
11. Trouble In Mind
12. San Francisco Bay Blues

Second set:
1. Candy Man
2. How Long Blues
3. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
4. Things That Might Have Been
5. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
6. Come Back Baby
7. 3rd Week In The Chelsea
8. Sea Child
9. Trial By Fire
10. Good Shepherd
11. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
12. I Know You Rider
13. Encore: Embryonic Journey

Then a dash to Cleveland, and The Music Box

Foto by Phil Jacobs

The weather began to turn up here by Lake Erie, but it was warm inside!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 51, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
The Music Box
Cleveland, Ohio
Monday, December 3, 2018

First Set:
1. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
2. Serpent Of Dreams
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Barbeque King
5. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
6. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
7. Sleep Song
8. Trial By Fire
9. Watch The North Wind Rise
10. How Long Blues
11. San Francisco Bay Blues

Second Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Wolves & Lambs
3. River Of Time
4. 3rd Week In The Chelsea
5. Come Back Baby
6. That’ll Never Happen No More
7. Candy Man
8. I See The Light
9. Sea Child
10. Good Shepherd
11. Re-Enlistment Blues
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
13. Encore: Water Song

Foto by Phil Jacobs

With Hannukah upon us I throw out a couple of thoughts gleaned from an editorial in Haaretz.

‘In the nationwide strike over violence against women, we saw that the true miracle of Hanukkah is tikvat hinam, baseless optimism, hope without just cause.’

‘There are times so dark, that the most radical act you can perform, is optimism.’

Radical optimism indeed. Count me in!

Happy Hannukah all!

PS In the spirit of shameless self promotion our show at the Boulder Theater on 12/14 is sold out, but you can check out the concert live here: http://nugs.tv/live-webcasts/5,88/Hot-Tuna-12-2018-Boulder-Theater-Boulder-CO.html

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Gotta love Maine… after Thanksgiving dindin we headed north.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Hot Tuna 44, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
The Waterville Opera House
Waterville, Maine
Friday, November 23, 2018

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Wolves & Lambs
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Barbeque King
5. Search My Heart
6. Serpent Of Dreams
7. How Long Blues
8. Sleep Song
9. Trial By Fire
10. Watch The North Wind Rise
11. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
12. Trouble In Mind
Second Set:
1. Been So Long
2. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
3. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
4. That’ll Never Happen No More
5. Hear Temporary
6. Whining Boy Blues
7. Sea Child
8. In The Kingdom
9. Good Shepherd
10. Come Back Baby
11. San Francisco Bay Blues
12. Water Song

Some truly great sounding rooms on this run!

Then on to Derry…

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 45, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
Tupelo Music Hall
Derry, New Hampshire
Saturday, November 24, 2018

First Set:
1. Candy Man
2. Been So Long
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Second Chances
5. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
6. Come Back Baby
7. Full Go Round
8. Sea Child
9. Watch The North Wind Rise
10. Waiting For A Train
11. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Too Many Years
3. Ain’t In No Hurry
4. Nobody Knows You when You’re Down & Out
5. Barbeque King
6. San Francisco Bay Blues
7. How Long Blues
8. Sleep Song
9. Good Shepherd
10. I Am The Light Of This World
11. Bar Room Crystal Ball
12. Wager Song
13. I Know You Rider
14. Encore: Genesis

Then down to Connecticut… Vanessa country…

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 46, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
The Ridgefield Playhouse
Ridgefield, Connecticut
Sunday, November 25, 2018

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
3. Serpent Of Dreams
4. Search My Heart
5. Barbeque King
6. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
7. Full Go Round
8. Sea Child
9. Watch The North Wind Rise
10. How Long Blues
11. That’ll Never Happen No More
12. Trouble In Mind

Second Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Wolves & Lambs
3. I See The Light
4. Candy Man
5. Come Back Baby
6. Been So Long
7. River Of Time
8. Sleep Song
9. Trial By Fire
10. Good Shepherd
11. San Francisco Bay Blues
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
13. Encore: Water Song

Then a drive down to College Park, Maryland… my old stomping grounds. Jack and I have a Sirius Radio show today with Paul Schafer and then a gig tonight at the new City Winery in Northeast D.C. about which more shall be revealed.