The first gig at the State Theater in Ithaca...

The first gig at the State Theater in Ithaca...

After Jack and I finished up at the Highline Ballroom in good old Manhattan, we bopped up to Red Hook for some rehearsal with Larry Campbell, Teresa Williams, Barry Mitterhoff & Justin Guip. After that it was up to Ithaca and the State Theater.

Tuna onstage at the State

Tuna onstage at the State

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Here is our set list:

Hot Tuna 65, 2014
The Electric Sextet
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
Larry Campbell, Teresa Williams
Barry Mitterhoff & Justin Guip
State Theater
Ithaca, New York
December 5, 2014

1. True Religion
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. Can’t Get Satisfied
5. I See The Light
6. Children Of Zion
7. Wade In The Water
8. Bowlegged Woman
9. Bar Room Crystal Ball
10. Water Song
11. Deep Ellum
12. Sugaree
13. Funky # 7

A darned good first show, if I do say so myself… From Ithaca we took off to the great white north and Jay Peak up in Vermont by the Canadian border.

The view from my window up in Jay, Vermont

The view from my window up in Jay, Vermont

Yeah, it might have been cold outside… but it was smokin’ inside the Foeger Ballroom.

Hot Tuna 66, 2014
The Electric Sextet
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
Larry Campbell, Teresa Williams
Barry Mitterhoff & Justin Guip
Jay Peak, Foeger Ballroom
Jay, Vermont
Saturday, December 6, 2014

1. Search My heart
2. I See The Light
3. I Wish You Would
4. Rock Me Baby
5. Hesitation Blues
6. Children Of Zion
7. Wade In The Water
8. Bowlegged Woman
9. Bar Room Crystal Ball
10. Water Song
11. Big River
12. Sugaree
13. Hit Single #1
14. Funky #7
15. Encore: Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning

Jay, Vermont... where did we park that bus?

Jay, Vermont... where did we park that bus?

Up at 0500 again and back on the road for that long drive south to Albany and the Egg.

Yow... another frigid morning

Yow... another frigid morning

This would be our last show with Donna The Buffalo… we loved sharing the bill with them and look forward to doing it again!

Hot Tuna 67, 2014
The Electric Sextet
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
Larry Campbell, Teresa Williams
Barry Mitterhoff & Justin Guip
The Egg
Albany, New York
December 7, 2014

1. True Religion
2. Mama Let Me Lay It On You
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. Can’t Get Satisfied
5. Been So Long
6. Children Of Zion
7. Wade In The Water
8. Second Chances
9. White Rabbit
10. Mourning Interrupted
11. Deep Ellum
12. Bar Room Crystal Ball
13. Sugaree
14. Hit Single #1
15. Funky #7
16. Encore: Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning

Albany, why not take... Albany

Albany, why not take... Albany

Foto by Phil Jacobs

We got to sleep in a little yesterday before the trek down to D.C. (Taxation without representation) and that was a blessing. Tomorrow we’ll be playing at the 6th & I Historic Synagogue in my hometown… Washington, D.C. Looking forward to this… and looking forward to a good pastrami sandwich too.

Sidebar editorial:

Since the term, ‘Covering a song,’ emerged, I have always had great distaste for it. I guess technically, if you didn’t write the song yourself, you’re ‘covering’ it. Does this mean that as an artist you cannot take responsibility and/or credit for performing an arrangement of a song you did not write yourself? Good question. As one who loves music steeped in historic authenticity I have never been shy about putting my versions out there… but I always give credit to the source and recommend heading up the river to the headwaters so you can grok the evolution of any piece. I have never considered myself either a ‘singer/songwriter or a musical archivist. I just play songs I like, some of which I have written myself. What does this all mean? Probably not much. In a hundred years who’ll care anyway. I guess my struggle is to try to defy the convention in the music business that is much happier relegating everything to nicely defined categories. OK… I feel better now.

Nuff said… Onward!


Comments

  1. Comment made on December 29, 2014 by Mr.Clumpy

    Great show in Ithaca. I have been waiting to hear electric Hot Tuna live again for years and years. And I worried that Jorma would hang back at let the other musicians play, but that wasn’t the case at all. Both Jorma and Jack were in great form and the song selection was really good. Great drummer and Larry Campbell really seemed to push Jorma on, which was great. Thanks for coming back to the hinterlands.

  2. Comment made on December 21, 2014 by Mauri from Turku, Finland

    Greetings from Finland / Terveisiä Suomesta Jorma!

  3. Comment made on December 17, 2014 by Tom in St. Louis

    Nice review of the Egg show:
    http://upstatelive.com/2014/12/11/the-egg-serves-up-tasty-hot-tuna-with-teresa-williams-and-donna-the-buffalo/

  4. Comment made on December 12, 2014 by Joey Hudoklin

    @Tom
    I hope he wasn’t pulling our legs!

  5. Comment made on December 12, 2014 by Lynn

    Any “Sandy” storm alumni Beacon bound this Sat?

  6. Comment made on December 11, 2014 by Tom

    Hope you’re not just pulling our legs Joey! @Joey Hudoklin

  7. Comment made on December 11, 2014 by johno

    If that’s the case – it’ll be amazing – Old Tuna – New Tuna and some Airplane to top things off. Lets not forget to sing Happy Birthday to the Birthday Boy!

  8. Comment made on December 11, 2014 by mutt

    I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything sweeter than Marjorie’s “??cover??” of the beatles’ “She Loves You”.

    The original artists’ creation and any other artists’ adoption are one of many reasons why we keep comin’ back.

    So if that’s coverin’ – keep it up Ole Bro, we love it.

    Love and Peace Fur All
    And A Very Merry Christmas To All

    mutt

  9. Comment made on December 11, 2014 by Rick in DC

    great show in DC at the historic 6th and I Street Synagogue. First time there and it’s a really cozy venue. Loved the nod to their Airplane legacy, a great reminder that we were all seeing two legends of rock.

    This was also my first time seeing electric HT. Good jams with Larry, as Joe above mentioned. Would love to hear them do Surphase Tension—and bring back the wah wah pedal! 😛

  10. Comment made on December 11, 2014 by Joe in DC

    Hey ALL
    Last night the show at 6th and I in DC was a real good one.
    Thanks Tuna…

    Temple holds about 850 souls, I heard it was at capacity.
    2 sets; 30 minute intermission in between…so 8 – 11:30.
    Great concert venue…good acoustics.

    3 or 4 Airplane songs – somebody to love, good Shepard, white rabbit, Trial by Fire.
    Lots of old Tuna favs, couple of Steady as She Goes tunes.
    Lots of good guitar jams between Larry and Jorma.
    Several Jack solos…

    So, this was a first for me – seeing HFT in synagogue…the best service I have sat thru….
    I bet this act will be repeated Saturday in nYC…

    See u there

  11. Comment made on December 11, 2014 by Joey Hudoklin

    I heard Jorma say something regarding possibly playing “Feel So Good” at the Beacon while in between songs banter at the Highline….hmmmmmmm.

  12. Comment made on December 10, 2014 by carlo pagliano

    Rock Them All Home Tonight Jorma!

  13. Comment made on December 10, 2014 by Ham n Eggs

    yeah but can you buy a salami for your boy in the army
    @doug mlyn
    peace
    Love all ways

  14. Comment made on December 10, 2014 by Jim T

    Thanks Doug!

  15. Comment made on December 10, 2014 by Tim from Philly

    Awesome lists Brother Jorma, cannot wait to see shows tomorrow (NJ) and Saturday at the Beacon.

  16. Comment made on December 10, 2014 by johno

    With Marty and Teresa comin in I see all the makings for some Airplane. Maybe some White Rabbit or Somebody to Love. Wouldn’t that be something.

  17. Comment made on December 10, 2014 by HOGAN

    Hey Jorma,

    What a great time we had this weekend at the Ithaca and Albany shows, we also got to meet and hang out with some really good people. If this is any indication of what the Beacon is going to be like we are in for such a real treat. I thought Teresa did a great job on White Rabbit…Have a good show tonight and see you guys in a couple of days.
    Safe Travels
    🙂

  18. The relevant thread: http://northernwall.blogspot.com/2011/12/thats-song-you-know.html

    Jorma, you soloed at The Shelter in San Jose run by Paul Zeigler. That was right before the Airplane took off. Kantner soloed there too and so did Skip Spence. I saw you there. Also I think it was you who attended Santa Clara U. back in 63-64. I saw you there too.

    Everyone I am in contact with has said Paul faded out and no one knows to where. I thought you might or someone who follows you might since he was in Hot Tuna a while. Paul is the reason I can play guitar (from his old Brass Knocker days) and you added some to my chops too. I have your vids but that came way late. These days I am a keyboard noodler.

    Anyway, I just decided what the hay. You have always seemed friendly enough. Might as well ask. 3topper45@gmail.com

    • Comment made on December 12, 2014 by Jorma

      Hey Christopher… Paul Zeigler moved to Hawaii quite a while ago. He passed away from cancer in the late 90’s on Kauai. He was a great guy! R.I.P. Paul… gone but not forgotten.

      Jorma

  19. Comment made on December 10, 2014 by doug mlyn

    @Jim T
    Jim: Keep checking back on TM, sometimes they release tix right before the show.

  20. Comment made on December 10, 2014 by Steven Levenson

    The idea of “Variations on a Theme by…..” goes back a long way. I never heard anyone say they were “covering” Hayden. And the “upriver” journeys, for me have been enlightening and joyous. There are so many musicians (and writers) I only started listening (and reading) because someone else’s art brought them to my attention. From a listeners perspective, you are responsible and should take credit for what’s coming out of my speakers. It’s kind of like cooking I guess..it may be Julia Child’s recipe, but I’m the cook. I’m not covering the roast chicken, I’m making it.

    @bob b. and @Hamneggs the Katz’s Deli tip is a good one. “Send a salami to your boy in the army!”

  21. Comment made on December 10, 2014 by doug mlyn

    http://www.jewishhumorcentral.com/2011/02/best-pastrami-sandwich-in-new-york-and.html

  22. Comment made on December 10, 2014 by Hamneggs

    @bob b.
    May I suggest Katz
    http://katzsdelicatessen.com
    Heart of Stone and
    Teresa singing Turn My Life Down ( Marty stated he can’t hit that one anymore on one Starship tour.)
    Peace
    Love All Ways

  23. Comment made on December 10, 2014 by Jim T

    Great show @ The Egg Jorma! Wish I had tickets for The Beacon!

  24. Comment made on December 10, 2014 by jim hitchcock

    Jorma, you’ll will enjoy booting up the finale season of SOA.

  25. Comment made on December 9, 2014 by bob b.

    Still waiting on the waiting list for Fur Peace Ranch, but like I stated before, I’ll have to see “give me a pistol and three round balls” at another venue. Collingswood on Thursday, NYC, Saturday. It’s possible I can scratch 2 things off my bucket list on Saturday. A cover of that Jefferson Airplane song , Plastic Fantastic Lover. Hearing Marty yell “Wasted Yeah…” followed by some of those classic Jorma rolls… I’m getting a rush thunk ing about it. #2 Bucket list is a Carnagie Deli Pastrami. I’ve had one before and it’s on a list usually reserved for never have done. Thanks for listening. Your Pal

  26. Comment made on December 9, 2014 by JohnC

    Heading to NYC from CA tomorrow just ahead of the big storm. Looking forward to Saturday

  27. Comment made on December 9, 2014 by jim hitchcock

    Langer’s Deli, Doug?

  28. Comment made on December 9, 2014 by Ben

    I see you “covered” White Rabbit!

  29. Comment made on December 9, 2014 by johno

    Getting really excited about the Beacon – just got hit by a small nor’easter – clearing out – should be a real nice weekend. Don’t know what to expect from you guys. This is Jacks Birthday Party. Can’t wait to see The Birthday Boy!

  30. Comment made on December 9, 2014 by dd chapin

    Is this “The Elec. Sextet” combo going to be the band at Wednesday’s 12/10/14 DC show?

  31. Comment made on December 9, 2014 by Dave G

    Perhaps ‘adaptation’ may work better than ‘cover’ in the artistic sense.

    To wit, I saw a few ‘cover’ bands in New Orleans bars last week and although they were playing ‘accurately’ they were by no means ‘artistic.’ (IMO, YMMV, etc.) Next time I’ll stay on Frenchmen St. !!

    Blessings all for the season and New Year !

  32. Comment made on December 9, 2014 by doug mlyn

    Looking forward to NYC and Tuna and maybe a pastrami sandwich at the Carnegie Deli. You just can’t get good Deli out here in Calif. well not like nyc.
    Speaking of covers. noticed the Big River “Cover”. I know a lot of other artists have covered this Johnny Cash gem… can’t wait to hear your arrangement 🙂

  33. Comment made on December 9, 2014 by Wayne

    The Albany NY electric Hot Tuna show was excellent! Heard Jorma’s name called out numerous times by the crowd and Jorma’s quick reply “that’s my name don’t wear it out..” Ya buddy…

  34. Comment made on December 9, 2014 by cyndy consentino

    Dear Jorma,

    Saturday, 12/13/14!!! Can’t wait!! Jack’s Party!!!

    See you then.

    Best,
    Cyndy

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