The gig in Homer, New York

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Another lovely restoration

Foto by Phil Jacobs

We bussed down from Babeville in Buffalo to this lovely arts center in scenic Homer, New York. What a cool little town!

Great stained glass!

More stained glass

Yeah… they saved another church from destruction and created a beautiful performing arts center.

Imigane being in the audience here...

Hot Tuna 28, 2015
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
Center For The Arts
Homer, New York
Friday, September 25, 2015

First Set:
1. Dime For Beer
2. Ain’t In No Hurry
3. I See The Light
4. Hesitation Blues
5. Sea Child
6. Watch The North Wind Rise
7. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
8. Brother Can You Spare A Dime
9. I’ll Be All Right Some Day
10. Barbeque King
11. San Francisco Bay Blues
12. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
Second Set:
1. Re-Enlistment Blues
2. Where’s There’s Two There’s Trouble
3. Come Back Baby
4. Serpent Of Dreams
5. In My Dreams
6. That’ll Never Happen No More
7. How Long Blues
8. Good Shepherd
9. Bar Room Crystal Ball
10. Water Song
11. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
12. Encore: Whining Boy Blues

Men at work...

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Then it was off to Wappinger’s Falls and the Speed Of Sound Festival…

Yeah... we knew it was going to be a good one!

You can see Jorma and Justin here... Jack's up there somewhere...

Hot Tuna 29, 2015
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Justin Guip
The Speed Of Sound Festival
Duchess County Airport
Wappinger’s Falls, New York
Saturday, September 26, 2015

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

Pick it Jorma!

Yeah… it was a great one… Jack and Justin kicked butt and I was OK too…

Next stop… San Francisco…

Onward

The Kent Stage

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Day before yesterday we drove up from the Fur Peace Ranch to the Kent Stage in Kent, Ohio. Nice trip up, and a dandy show:

Hot Tuna 26, 2015
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
Kent Stage
Kent, Ohio
Wednesday, September 23, 2015

First Set:
1. Dime For Beer
2. Ain’t In No Hurry
3. Hesitation Blues
4. I See That Light
5. Sea Child
6. Barbeque King
7. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
8. Candy Man
9. How Long Blues
10. In My Dreams
11. That’ll Never Happen No More
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. Serpent Of Dreams
2. River Of Time
3. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
4. Brother Can You Spare A Dime
5. The Terrible Operation
6. Come Back Baby
7. Good Shepherd
8. Bar Room Crystal Ball
9. Water Song
10. San Francisco Bay Blues
11. I Know You Rider
12. Encore: Whining Boy Blues

The yesterday, we drove up to Buffalo, New York to play Babeville… Ani De Franco’s joint.

Now this is a venue!

Not a bad interior view!

The Marquee... such as it was

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Jack peeks through the curtains...

Foto by Jack Casady

Our Show:

Hot Tuna 27, 2015
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
Babeville
Buffalo, New York
Thursday, September 24, 2015

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. Ain’t In No Hurry
3. Children Of Zion
4. Hesitation Blues
5. I See The Light
6. Come Back Baby
7. Things That Might Have Been
8. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
9. Living In The Moment
10. Candy Man
11. How Long Blues
12. San Francisco Bay Blues
Second Set:
1. New Song For The Morning
2. Serpent Of Dreams
3. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
4. Full Go Round
5. Sea Child
6. Good Shepherd
7. Bar Room Crystal Ball
8. Water Song
9. I Am The Light Of This World
10. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
11. Encore: Genesis

The boys play...

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Onward to Homer, New York and the Center For The Arts.

Jorma and his mighty steed

Yep… it was September and Pick And Putt time again… we’re talking about motorcycles here, not golf.

a group of friends at the old Coolspot in Coolville

We get together with some pals the day before Pick And Putt at the Ranch and had a beautiful ride in Southeast Ohio.

Nothing like a ride in the country on a beautiful day

We were taking some back roads up through the Wayne National Forest towards Hannibal on the river.

Up a lazy river...

It was tough to take time out from the ride to take pictures… but here’s a couple:

Soul inviting by a covered bridge

Foto by Ng Lun Yun

They don't make them like this anymore

David and I take our rest for a moment before saddling up again

Foto by Ng Lun Yun

The last ferry on the Ohio River

We found this antiquity just south of Hannibal on Rt. 7 on the way to Marieta.

Three very old friends

Here you see me, Ng Lun Yun and Bill Hight. The three of us were in the Philippines together in 1956 and 1957. To be able to hang with such old pals was a blessing indeed… Lives have come and gone, but we know who we were, and who we are.

Ben ramrods the AMA waiver signing for Ranchers

The it was Friday and time for the Pick And Putt weekend at the Ranch. Ben spearheaded the AMA formalities and then it was Saturday and time for the Big Ride!

Yeah, I know. Mitch is going to put long pants on for the ride.

A great ride was had by all

A quick group foto after the ride… before lunch and classes… Good times!

Saturday night, the wondrous Geoff Achison brought his Souldiggers to the Fur Peace Ranch and rocked us to our core!

Before you knew it, Monday came and another grand weekend drew to a close.

What a lovely group...

Yep… another great one slid into the record books.

Onward!

Marjorie and Paul some years ago...

It has been a year since our dear friend Marjorie passed… may her memory be a blessing. She was such a part of our life, and indeed she was such a part of everyone’s life she touched. She touched a lot of people. I miss her every day… her wise counsel… her humor and her art.

This is such a small note for such a big love… but it is all I can offer right now.

We miss you Marjorie… always.

Fair winds and following seas.

Jack and I did a little acoustic set on the big stage yesterday afternoon… no rain… not too hot… not too cool…

Just right:

Hot Tuna 25, 2015
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
Lockn’ Festival
Arrington, Virginia
September 12, 2015

1. True Religion
2. I See The Light
3. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
4. Barbeque King
5. Hesitation Blues
6. Sea Child
7. Good Shepherd
8. I Am The Light Of This World
9. I Know You Rider
10. Water Song

The old guys and the young guy...

Good time had by all… left early this morning to be home in time for Roshashana Services. L’Shanah Tovah! Happy 5776!

New beginnings…

Some great Fotos from the Saturday Night Celebration Show…

Big thanks and respect to Jay Blakesberg for taking the pictures and letting me use them on the blog!!!!!

Fire eating people 1

Fire eating people 2

Fire Eating People 3... Teresa lets it go!

Teresa tells it like it is!

Jorma and Jack face off...

The whole fandamily

Bill Kreutsman gets it done!

That’s what I’m talking about…

Next to the K-Whopper

A wonderful day at Lockn’ in Arrington, Virginia for us and all the musicians. There were some bittersweet moments as well. Yesterday was 9/11 and normally I would have spent this entry honoring those who fell that day… we all had friends who either died in the falling Towers or those who died and are dying as a result of the toxic surroundings. First responders and everyday citizens alike. I will never forget you… never.

The was a large American flag on a crane stage left… I put my hand on my heart and let it go at that.

Back to the Festival…

Me and Chris Robinson

I ran into Chris Robinson in the catering tent. We hadn’t seen each other for a while and it was nice to reconnect. We’ve got to get Chris to come on down to the Fur Peace Ranch. I really think he’d dig it.

Chris, Pete Sears, Jorma ane Jack Casady

It was like old home week on so many levels.

This is what I'm talking about

Then it was time for our set. Jack and I had the greatest of companions on this venture. The wonderful Larry Campbell, of course, our old pal G.E.Smith, Justin Guip on drums joined towards the end of the set by Bill Kreutzman.

Now, since it’s always about the songs, let’s talk about the singers. There’s me, of course, but I get to hear myself all the time. Teresa Williams who always knocks it out of park… every single time! A grand new addition to our fine family of friends, Rachael Price. Vanessa turned me onto Rachael and Lake Street Dive. When I checked her out I realized how right Vanessa was and that we needed her to be a part of this project. Thanks for coming on board Rachael! Jeff Pehrson is one of our old buds. We had toured with him before and we knew (again thanks to Vanessa’s input) that he was the right man for the job.

What a stellar cast of character…

What a panorama

And then it was time for the rubber to meet the road!

Fire eating people!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 24, 2015
Celebrating The Music Of Jefferson Airplane
Rachael Price, Teresa Williams, Jeff Pehrson
Larry Campbell, G.E. Smith
Justin Guip &
Jorma Kaukonen And Jack Casady
With Bill Kreutzman
Lockn’
Arrington, Virginia
September 11, 2015

1. 3/5ths Of A Mile In 10 Seconds featuring Jeff Pehrson
2. Greasy Heart featuring Rachael Price
3. Good Shepherd featuring Jorma
4. White Rabbit featuring Teresa Williams
5. Lawman featuring Rachael Price
6. Plastic Fantastic Lover featuring Jeff Pehrson
7. Somebody To Love featuring Teresa Williams
8. Eskimo Blue Day featuring Rachael Price
9. Come Back Baby featuring Jorma & the gang with Bill Kreutzman
10. Volunteers with the gang & Bill Kreutzman
11. Feel So Good featuring Rachael Price & Teresa Williams with Bill Kreutzman joining Justin Guip on drums

Man… what a 75 minute set. Good times for sure!

Larry, Teresa, Jorma & Rachael

Foto by Mark McKenna

Jeff, Rachael & Jorma

I don’t know about anyone else, but this was a night to remember for us. Thanks to Dave Frey and the Lockn’ folks for bringing us on board.

The neck of G.E.'s Tele 12 String

Yeah…

This afternoon, Jack and I are doing an acoustic set and then it’s back home for a bit.

Gratitude and respect to all those who helped make this happen for us!

The Carriage House welcomes us!

We pulled in about 1300 today… the rain had quit for a while… but we knew it was coming. Still… any time you’re playing music it’s a good time!

My Grandfther's clock was too tall for the shelf...

The Carriage House was a delightful place to rehearse, weather and humidity notwithstanding. We thank everyone for their hospitality.

Rachael, G.E. & Me

Foto by Phil Jacobs

To sing and play with the likes of these… can’t be beat!

Larry, Rachael, Teresa and Jack

Foto by Phil Jacobs

It was getting scarey… we started to sound like a band! 🙂

Carmelo and Justin...

And then before you knew it, the rehearsal was over… next stop… Main Stage, Lockn’

The storm before the calm!

Time for bed… knowing that we’re good to go!

Onward…

Rehearsing at the carriage house

Check this band out:
Jorma Kaukonen… guitar and occasional vocal
Jack Casady… bass
Teresa Williams… vocals
Rachael Price… vocals
Jeff Pehrson… vocals
Larry Campbell… guitar and vocals
G.E.Smith… guitar
Justin Guip… drums and percussion

This is Hot Tuna Plus… couldn’t be better!

We had a fabulous four and a half hour rehearsal today and another one tomorrow… electric show Friday night at the good old Lockn’ Festival. This is a great band of friends… old and new, and it’s going to be a great show. I personally guarantee it!

Saturday, Jack and I will hold for acoustically in the afternoon on the big stage as well. We love this festival and we plan on doing it proud! More will be revealed after tomorrow’s rehearsal.

Nice view from the 'rehearsal hall'

We’re fired up… let me tell you!

Cousin Audrey Dobkin Brett

At four thirty PM on Sunday the 30th of August, 2015 my Mother’s last living first cousin Audrey Dobkin Brett cast off the shackles of this life and left this world behind. Audrey was born on August 13, 1926. She was a Dobkin but the Dobkins and the Levines (my grandparents) were kin and inextricably intertwined. My Mom was born on June 12, 1910 on the tobacco farm in Ellington, Connecticut. Audrey and all of them grew up in that strange mix of Old World Jews… and became those freethinkers who would help shape this nation over the next century.

She was always an innovative thinker, outspoken with no verbal boundaries and a great lover of family! She took me and Vanessa and Izze and Zach to her heart and never let us go. She honored us all with her boundless love. She was a living connection to the Old Ones up there in East Windsor… yet she was always totally in the moment!

…and she was my friend.

A great one has left this plane, and if you choose to believe in such things, heaven is the richer for her presence for that is surely where she would be. I shall miss seeing her up in Rhode Island… I shall miss her emails… the occasional phone calls and well… I shall miss her.

We love you Audrey… always…

Fair winds and following seas!