Foto by jorma Kaukonen

But all things considered, a bona fide winter morning!

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Time for a little minor snow removal…

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Very cold… but lovely!

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

It must be my ancestry. I love this weather!

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

The leaf blower before the shovel… makes life easier.

Some might complain about this weather, but not I. Every day is a day closer to Spring, but I’m enjoying this season as it comes!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Thoughts On Seventy Seven

Birthdays come like it or not and require some measured moments of reflection. For me they are a reminder that the present is not the end result of a life in which each day is like a drop of water… a Chinese water torture of time. As both my children have observed at some point in their young lives, the only constant is change. Nothing is ever one way, good or bad… it just is. I guess what has brought me this far has always been being able to make the most of any situation, self-inflicted or not. I don’t live in the past, but I do not run from memories. They, and the events that spawned them are what have made me… me.

Tonight Vanessa and I went to the memorial service of a friend of mine. We were really more of acquaintances but we liked each other so in the end, I guess that made us friends. I have been to a lot of memorial services here in Southeast Ohio over the last decade or so and since I live in a small, rural community I see the same faces. I see a friend who I almost only see at memorials. ‘We’ve got to stop meeting like this,’ I tell him. We both laugh and move on to extend our condolences to the family. ‘And so it goes,’ in Tralfamadore speak.

As for me, for some time my goal has been to see both my children as adults and to do this with Vanessa by my side. That is indeed the main course, and everything else is desert. I continue to be blessed and not for a moment do I take this life for granted. I am committed to making the most of each day. Whether at home or on the road, it is my duty to be always present.

Tomorrow I will go to the Lake Hope State Park and enjoy a steak dinner with friends and family overlooking the lake. Perhaps I will take my drone with me and take some aerial shots. Perhaps I will just enjoy the moment unencumbered by gadgets. In any case… so far so good. As some wag once said, ‘It will be the oldest I’ve ever been, and the youngest I’ll ever be.’

I’ll take it!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Hanukkah last night!

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

It was still in the high 40’s last night as the Kaukonen household celebrated the last night of Hanukkah. As the setting sun heralded the end of the Festival Of Lights we were able to spend a peaceful moment with the Menorah on the back porch overlooking the Shade River.

Zei gesundt… zei gesundt!

So we got home from the Tuna Tour on Sunday a week ago had a nice week at home with the girls and the critters and then off to San Francisco for the Why Hunger Benefit at the Viansa Winery in Sonoma. We got to San Francisco in time to fight traffic from the airport to get to Japan Town an some dinner.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

I ate noodles at the Mifune for over thirty years, and then like so many things… it was gone. I have no complaints about the food here though!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

It’s a different scene here… but the food was still great!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Saturday at noon we all drove up to the Viansa Winery in Sonoma to meet Jack.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

These folks were so fortunate the fires did not do their fearsome work here. It was a beautiful late fall afternoon in the wine country.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Having spent two decades in Northern California it is now always a pleasure to return as a wide eyed tourist. Can’t say I miss the taxes and the gas prices though. That said, can’t complain about the vibe. Menasha who has been so generous to us in so many ways invited her friend David the Tea Man from Santa Cruz to welcome us with his amazing teas and a very spiritual ceremony.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

What an experience this was on so many levels. I can hardly wait to visit his shop in Santa Cruz the next time we work there!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

As the show got rolling, Jack Casady and Tony Saunders played a beautiful double bass version of ‘Imagine.’ Wow! Then after some more great music, Hot Tuna hit the stage for a 90 minute set.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Hot Tuna 62, 2017
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
Imagine There’s No Hunger
Benefit
Viansa Winery
Sonoma, California
December 16, 2017

1. Been So Long
2. Living Just For You
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. Talkin’ Bout You
5. Wolves & Lambs
6. 99 Year Blues
7. Can’t Get Satisfied
8. Bowlegged Woman
9. Sea Child
10. Trial By Fire
11. Roads and Roads &
12. Hit Single # 1
13. Funky #7

There were many old friends there and we made some new as well.

I spent over a decade on the road with Pete. What a great musician and a wonderful man! Speaking of old friends. Bob Steeler was there as well and we got to be part of a double drum jam with Justin Guip and Bob.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

And then it was over… back to the hotel at the airport by 0100 and at the airport by 0630.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Life has sure been busy, but so far so good… and who would want it any other way! As for the YoYo… reference Thomas Pynchon’s V.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

I’ve played the Birchmere for over the years an the locations. D.C. being Jack’s and my hometown, it is always memorable for us when we return! It also doesn’t hurt that the Birchmere lets us do our laundry there during sound check.

Hot Tuna 58, 2017
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Birchmere
Alexandria, Virginia
Tuesday, December 5, 2017

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Too Many Years
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
5. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
6. Barbeque King
7. Candy Man
8. Serpent Of Dreams
9. Sea Child
10. Watch The North Wind Rise
11. Trouble In Mind
Second set:
1. Heart Temporary
2. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
3. How Long Blues
4. The Terrible Operation
5. 99 Year Blues
6. In My Dreams
7. I See The Light
8. Come Back Baby
9. Sleep Song
10. Good Shepherd
11. Bar Room Crystal Ball
12. Water Song
13. Encore: Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning

Foto by Phil Jacobs

After the Birchmere gig we headed up to Asbury Park to meet up with Justin Guip and Steve Kimoch for our short but sweet electric run.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Back in the 60’s the Airplane played the Convention Center a number of times. It’s probably a good thing these old walls can’t talk! On this run, the Tuna Gang played next door at the Paramount.

Hot Tuna 59, 2017
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
With Special Guest
Steve Kimock
The Paramount Theater
Asbury Park, New Jersey
Thursday, December 7, 2017

First Set:
1. Serpent Of Dreams
2. Ode To Billy Dean
3. Talkin’ Bout You
4. Living Just For You
5. Trial By Fire
6. Sleep Song with Steve Kimock
7. Hesitation Blues with Steve Kimock
8. Bowlegged Woman with Steve Kimock
Second Set:
1. Candy Man
2. I See The Light
3. Can’t Get Satisfied with Steve Kimock
4. Rock Me Baby with Steve Kimock
5. Watch The North Wind Rise
6. Good Shepherd with Steve Kimock
7. Sea Child with Steve Kimock
8. Come Back Baby with Steve Kimock
9. Funky #7 with Steve Kimock
10. Encore: Water Song

This a more than fine outing for the first of three… with two more to come!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

I remember that Barry Mitterhoff played the Paramount during the Guitarbeque in ‘05. As always we stayed across the street at the Berkeley. I think it’s haunted… just saying. After show we drove to Portchester, New York. The Capitol Theater has been a treat for us for almost half a century!

foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Love these nesting dolls. I’ve had a bunch of them since I was a kid.

Photographer unknown

Jack noticed the foto on the wall of us ‘in the day.’ Bingo! New foto.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

The Capitol is a class joint and we always look forward to this gig!

Hot Tuna 60, 2017
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
With Special Guest
Steve Kimock
Capitol Theater
Portchester, New York
December 8, 2017

First Set:
1. Been So Long
2. That’ll Never Happen No More
3. Walkin’ Blues
4. Talkin’ Bout You
5. Roads and Roads &
6. In The Kingdom
7. Hesitation Blues with Steve Kimock
8. Ode To Billy Dean with Steve Kimock
9. Bowlegged Woman with Steve Kimock

Second Set:
1. Serpent Of Dreams
2. Living Just For You
3. Wolves & Lambs
4. Can’t Get Satisfied with Steve Kimock
5. Sea Child with Steve Kimock
6. Trial By Fire
7. Good Shepherd with Steve Kimock
8. Rock Me Baby with Steve Kimock
9. Funky # 7 with Steve Kimock
10. Encore: Hit Single # 1 with Steve Kimock

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

We loved the streaming video we were able to offer our fans as well. Big Kudos to the Capitol!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

The snow was falling as we pulled into Huntington.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

The IMAC is long gone and in its place this magnificent venue has sprung up!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

You can’t make this stuff up. The mysterious private club. Gotta love this.

Hot Tuna 61, 2017
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
With Special Guest
Steve Kimock
The Paramount
Huntington, New York
Saturday, December 9, 2017

First Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Candy Man
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. Talkin’ Bout You
5. Roads and Roads &
6. Trial By Fire
7. Sleep Song with Steve Kimock
8. Hesitation Blues with Steve Kimock
9. Bowlegged Woman
Second Set:
1. Been So Long
2. Living Just For You
3. Wolves & Lambs
4. Can’t Get Satisfied with Steve Kimock
5. Sea Child with Steve Kimock
6. Good Shepherd with Steve Kimock
7. 99 Year Blues with Steve Kimock
8. Rock Me Baby with Steve Kimock
9. Hit Single #1 with Steve Kimock
10. Funky # 7 with Steve Kimock
11. Encore: Water Song with Steve Kimock

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

This was a fine ending jewel for this triple crown of gigs.

Foto by Lee Cantor

Foto by Phil Jacobs

A fine end to a fitting little tour and our big love to all the foks who shared it with us!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

We started this run of four at the Wilbur in Boston…

Hot Tuna 54, 2017
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Wilbur Theater
Boston, Massachusetts
Thursday, November 30, 2017

First Set:
1. Second Chances
2. Wolves & Lambs
3. Hesitation Blues
4. I See The Light
5. In My Dreams
6. 99 Year Blues
7. Barbeque King
8. Trial By Fire
9. Sea Child
10. San Francisco Bay Blues
11. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. Serpent Of Dreams
2. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
3. Brother Can You Spare A Dime
4. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
5. Things That Might Have Been
6. True Religion
7. Sleep Song
8. Watch The North Wind Rise
9. I Am The Light Of This World
10. Trouble In Mind
11. Bar Room Crystal Ball
12. Water Song
13. Encore: Embryonic Journey

Our friends Derek and Susan were right up the street, but we didn’t get a chance to say ‘hello!’ Next time.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 55, 2017
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Warehouse
Fairfield, Connecticut
Friday, December 1, 2017

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Heart Temporary
3. That’ll Never Happen No More
4. I’ll Be All Right Some Day
5. Come Back Baby
6. Serpent Of Dreams
7. Come Back Baby
8. Sea Child
9. Full Go Round
10. 99 Year Blues
11. I Am The Light Of This World
12. Trouble In Mind
Second Set:
1. Second Chances
2. Hesitation Blues
3. There’s A Bright Side Somewhere
4. Barbeque King
5. I See The Light
6. How Long Blues
7. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
8. Watch The North Wind Rise
9. Trial By Fire
10. Good Shepherd
11. Water Song
12. I Know You Rider
13. Encore: Genesis

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Then it was to the Odeum in East Greenwich, Rhode Island

Hot Tuna 56, 2017
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Greenwich Odeum
East Greenwich, Rhode Island
Saturday, December 2, 2017

First Set:
1. Too Many Years
2. Wolves & Lambs
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Come Back Baby
5. River Of Time
6. 99 Year Blues
7. Sleep Song
8. Watch The North Wind Rise
9. Living In The Moment
10. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
11. Trouble In Mind
Second Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Second Chances
3. San Francisco Bay Blues
4. I See The Light
5. Candy Man
6. Barbeque King
7. The Terrible Operation
8. That’ll Never Happen No More
9. Sea Child
10. Good Shepherd
11. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
13. Encore: Water Song

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 57, 2017
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
Cohoes Music Hall
Cohoes, N.Y.
Sunday, December 3, 2017

First Set:
1. Heart Temporary
2. Candy Man
3. Barbeque King
4. Serpent Of Dreams
5. I’ll Be All Right Some Day
6. How Long Blues
7. 99 Year Blues
8. I Am The Light Of This World
9. Sleep Song
10. Trial By Fire
11. Whining Boy Blues
12. Trouble In Mind
Second Set:
1. Been So Long
2. True Religion
3. Hesitation Blues
4. I See The Light
5. That’ll Never Happen No More
6. River Of Time
7. In My Dreams
8. Come Back Baby
9. Sea Child
10. Good Shepherd
11. Bar Room Crystal Ball
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
13. Encore: Genesis

Foto by Phil Jacobs

After the show we started driving to Alexandria for our gig at the Birchmere in Alexandria tomorrow. It’s been a couple of years since we’ve been to this old haunt, and we’re looking forward to it. I had a lovely dinner with my son Zach night, and tomorrow is another day.

Here’s a picture of moondown at the Fur Peace Ranch this morning.

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Onward…