Saturday Myron and I drove 590 miles from the Fur Peace Ranch to Ronkonkoma. We barely stopped for gas on that run, so hen se go to the hotel we were starving. Fortunately, right next to the hotel was this:

Tasted like there, but it was here!

Tasted like there, but it was here!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

La Villetta was quite simply… awesome! What a way to end the drive up!

Sunday we checked out of the hotel and drove to the venue in Patchogue. As an honorary Long Islander, there were lots of old friends as well as new!

Chewing the fat with Devon Allman

Chewing the fat with Devon Allman

Photographer unknown

I brought a box of the great Hot Tuna vinyl reissue of the first LP, and Jack and I signed them for the Company Store at the Fur Peace Ranch.

John Hancock time...

John Hancock time...

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

It was a great hang. Got to hear my old pal Michael Falzarano as well as all the other great acts. We also got a little time to actually check our stuff out on stage before our set. Rare in a festival situation.

Eh?

Eh?

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Then our moment came…

Lovely evening spot...

Lovely evening spot...

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 20, 2018
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
The Great South Bay Music Festival
Patchogue, N.Y.
Sunday, July 15, 2018

1. Been So Long
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. I Wish You Would
5. Sleep Song
6. Trial By Fire
7. Bowlegged Woman
8. Come Back Baby

Dicky Betts and the guys were coming on after us but they had some setup problems and Myron and I had to leave before their set.

Life on the road

Life on the road

Foto by Myron Hart

Myron and I slept for some hours off of I-78 and then made it home. A fine surgical strike of music.

More anon!


Comments

  1. Comment made on July 27, 2018 by Flo

    You and Jack were smokin’ hot in Patchogue–so fine to see and hear you again; can’t wait for the next time you hit the NYC area–Thank you, Jorma and Jack!

  2. Comment made on July 23, 2018 by Mitch Spector

    Never been prouder to call Ronkonkoma my home town .Wish i would have known .Would have been my pleasure to join you guys for a meal .Peace always Jorma !! Cant wait to see Hot Tuna on September 8th in Arizona with my youngest son who lives out there .Gonna be a great time ..

  3. Comment made on July 20, 2018 by Tom Fabry

    Looks like GE has similar sneakers that Jorma has on from a few posts ago. Great guitarists think alike.

    I was at that Dylan anniversary show that Jonny Winter played that tune. 4 rows behind Donald Trump. Sean Lennon was to my left, Kris Kristofferson to my right. Had to climb over Martin Scorscese to get to a position. They turned the lights on partially when George Harrison came out and did If Not For You. First song was Gotta Serve Somebody (not on DVD) covered by Booker T band. Nice choice as an opener. Just sayin’. Levin and Danko were there, along with a whole bunch of others. Petty, Young, McGwinn, Ronnie Wood. A real whos who. Sold an extra ticket to a nice Japanese guy. Had to walk to a deli to make the deal so the police wouldn’t think I was a “scalper”.

    Once saw Jorma at Madison Square at a Dead show, at soundcheck, late 80s. He walked in with a dog on a leash. Walking the dog. Once saw Jack sit in w Dead at the Garden at Rainforest benefit, again late 80s. Phil gave up his rig.
    Every day is a gift. Enjoy the day and bless others. Stay off the KoolAid.
    Pax

  4. Comment made on July 19, 2018 by Kevin

    Johnny’s bird flyin’ high, fast and furious. Still get goosebumps from this clip. God I miss that man.
    https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Johnny+Winter+Highway+61+Revisited+Bob+Dylan&&view=detail&mid=3AD2CDCC3E5AA36A69473AD2CDCC3E5AA36A6947&&FORM=VRDGAR

  5. Comment made on July 19, 2018 by Art

    What I want to know is, what happened to the classic Jorma non-reverse? They seem to be making them again and they look sweet:

    http://www.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Firebird/Gibson-USA/2011-Firebird-Studio-Non-Reverse.aspx

  6. Comment made on July 19, 2018 by Frank

    You’ll find the receipt interesting. The Bird was a special order, three month wait. The original order was for a Firebird I, but when the guitar arrived at the store it was a Firebird V. The price increased $300, but the store sold it to me at the price of the Firebird I. Music Land always gave the best prices, always gave a better price than Sam Ash.

    What address should I send it to?

  7. Comment made on July 19, 2018 by Frank

    I believe the headless guitar was a Laser or Lazer made by Dan Erlewine or his brother. Could be wrong on this information, but it is what I have been told.

  8. Comment made on July 19, 2018 by carey georgas

    I saw Johnny Winter play a guitar with that body style, but there was no head stock. Just looked like the strings went to the end of the neck and “poof”. Don’t know if it was a Byrd, but he sure did fly with it! ‘Twas the early nineties, as I recall.

  9. Comment made on July 19, 2018 by Mike Anderson

    Okay, going to deviate from the norm here. I see the card for the Italian restaurant and it shoots me back to the early 80s when you played in Waterbury, CT, a satellite of Toad’s Place in New Haven, CT, and my good friend and I are standing in line waiting for the doors to open and here comes one of the kids who works at the bar with a large jar of Ragu. Now my buddy is 100% Italian and I’m half (maternal side) and we ask the kid “Who’s that for?” and he answers “Jorma.” My buddy and I look at each other and say “Geez, if he likes Italian, we could’ve brought him some REAL Italian food.” Nice to see you’ve improved your taste buds for Italian Cuisine.

  10. Comment made on July 19, 2018 by Tom Fabry

    Whoops, not a strat. Got it.
    What year Firebird? Is that the question?
    When did it originally leave your possession and…..why?

  11. Comment made on July 19, 2018 by Tom Fabry

    Process of elimination. It isn’t any kind of strat, right?
    Was it the one you sold at the Fur Peace All day party near Woodstock NY?

  12. Comment made on July 19, 2018 by johno

    The only Bird I know is Harvey Colman. He was a classic Tuna fan. RIP Harvey.

    • Comment made on July 19, 2018 by Jorma

      That’s The Byrd… not the bird… don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time…

  13. Comment made on July 19, 2018 by Tom Fabry

    Were you ever able to track down the guitar you sold at your auction/garage sale in upstate NY, at the 1st Fur Peace event/fundraiser/party/garage sale/lunch and dinner and Jack and Jorma show? I recall you mentioning you sold a guitar that day and you wish you had it back. I should have bought one of your MXR distortion pedals, or a strap… It was a fun day. The beginning of Fur Peace…

  14. Comment made on July 19, 2018 by Tom Fabry

    What kind of guitar is ‘The Bird”?

    • Comment made on July 19, 2018 by Jorma

      Not gonna make it too easy for you guys. Think, Johnny Winters… think Gibson… think Jorma in the mid 70’s. You got it now…

  15. Comment made on July 18, 2018 by Frank

    590 miles is the exact milage I travel to get to the Ranch. I won’t be making the trip this year since I am in the process of buying a house in Patchogue. The same house that was once home to the Bird. Did the Bird enjoy a home coming this past weekend?

    Anyway found the receipt for the Bird, let me know if you want me to send it to you.

    • Comment made on July 19, 2018 by Jorma

      Yeah man… the receipt would be cool. Love that Bird!

    • Comment made on July 19, 2018 by Jorma

      Indeed Frank… The Bird was more than happy to return to its homeplace. I told you before, and I’ll tell you again… that guitar reawakened something in me. I love it! Thanks brother and enjoy your house.

      Jorma

  16. Comment made on July 17, 2018 by Tom Fabry

    Hey Jorma, next time show a photo, (b4 1st bite, or of empty plate) of the main course you chose… What did you and your comrade have?

  17. Comment made on July 17, 2018 by johno

    Great show on Sunday. Was really crowded but I got there early and managed to get close enough to see your gold tooth glitter in the spotlights. Your set was short and sweet. Easily the best band there. Though Dickey Betts did throw down some good licks.
    You certainly are a honorary Long Islander. It is the epicenter of your popularity. We love our Hot Tuna. Long Island even looks like a big fish. Brooklyn is the head and the twin forks are the tailfin. Thanks again Jorma.

  18. Comment made on July 17, 2018 by carey georgas

    Hope that’s just some water and not a toxic puddle you’re standing in at the fuel stop. But then again, you’re on the road, and my limited experience says the road may get you where you’re going, but you’re gonna travel it on the road’s terms.

  19. Comment made on July 17, 2018 by John B

    It is good to see that Dickey Betts is up and performing again. Brings a smile to my face! @Chappy

  20. Comment made on July 17, 2018 by Chappy

    Glad to hear y’all had safe travels and a good show in NY. Great pic of you and Devon. I was fortunate to see him and Duane Betts on Saturday night in Richmond. They put on one heck of a show at The National…great band, great energy, great spirit, great song selection, and great guitar playing. I’d seen Devon before wirh Royal Southern Brotherhood and Duane wirh Dickey a few years back and they were great but they both have elevated their playing so much in a few short years. Got to meet ‘em too and they were super nice folks. Hope you got to say hello to Dickey too…nice to see him playing again.

  21. Comment made on July 17, 2018 by Dan

    Captain, While Jack’s signature is a work of art (and he is really proud of it), yours is really not that bad. I know my own has degraded significantly from all the papers I had to sign at work. I have seen Devon at many a Wanee and some local bars and his signature is fairly illegible (I wonder how he cashes his checks). I also have a Gregg and its pretty much a capital A. The most illegible in my collection is Jimmy Page (looks like waves on the beach).
    So let us know when we can order the signed vinyl

  22. Comment made on July 17, 2018 by Doug

    Loved your set. I like Tuna best when its just you Jack and drummer. We get to hear more Jorma.

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