Jorma Kaukonen's Online Diary

Nine hours and eight minutes from Austin to the Big Easy. Yow... When I woke up we were on a causeway over Lake Ponchartrain or some such body of water. What a sight! Sometimes this great land of ours just hits you right between the eyes with beauty and tells you you're a lucky SOB to be living here. This was one of those mornings.

Last night in Austin we had a great set. Cindy Cashdollar graced us with her presence and helped us drive it home with a rocking version of the old Jimmy Reed classic, Baby What You Want Me To Do? Wow, it just doesn't get much better than that. Here is our set list"

Acoustic Set:
1. Waiting For A Train
2. Blue Railroad Train
3. How Long Blues
4. I?ll Let you Know Before I Leave
5. Death Don?t Have No Mercy
6. Do Not Go Gentle
7. Prohibition Blues
8. Heart Temporary
9. I See The Light
10. Good Shepherd
11. Hesitation Blues

Electric Set:
1. I wish You Would
2. Living Just For You
3. Day To Day Out The Window Blues
4. Talkin? ?Bout You
5. Rock Me Baby
6. Corners Without Exits
7. Trial By Fire
8. Bowlegged Woman
9. Water Song
10. Hit Single # 1
11. Funky # 7
12. Encore: Baby What You Want Me to Do? (With Cindy Cashdollar)

We're only going to be in the hotel for a couple of hours so I'm going to wash up and get a little more rest before we head on over to the House Of Blues.

Another absurd 24 hours. Four hours in the hotel yesterday... the gig at the House of Blues which was a gas... a nine hour drive to Atlanta here... lost and repaired another tire on the trailer and looking forward to a Sold Out show at the Variety here tonight. Anyway, here is our set list from last night:

Acoustic Set:
1. That?ll Never Happen No More
2. I?m Free From The Chain Gang Now
3. Big River Blues
4. I Know You Rider
5. I?ll Let You Know Before I Leave
6. Blues Stay Away From Me
7. Bread Line Blues
8. I See The Light
9. 99 Year Blues
10. Just Because

Electric Set:
1. Bowlegged Woman
2. Corners Without Exits
3. I Wish You Would
4. Rock Me Baby
5. Living Just For You
6. Serpent Of Dreams
7. Talkin? ?Bout You
8. Hit Single #1
9. Funky # 7
10. Encore: Come Back Baby

Gotta do the set list... take a shower... and get back on the bus. Ah, the life of the open road.

We're rockin'... don't bother knockin!' The Variety Playhouse last night was a complete blast as it always is. Those folks really know how to do it! There is also a terrific Indian Resteraunt, The Calcutta, just up the street. I love it when a plan comes together. Anyway, here is our set list"

Acoustic Set:
1. Re-Enlistment Blues
2. How Long Blues
3. I?ll Let You Know Before I Leave
4. Blue Railroad Train
5. I Know You Rider
6. What Are They Doing In Heaven Today?
7. Prohibition Blues
8. Heart Temporary
9. Good Shepherd
10. A Life Well Lived
11. Just Because

Electric Set:
1. Living Just For You
2. Been So Long
3. I Wish You Would
4. Rock Me Baby
5. Corners Without Exits
6. Talkin? ?Bout You
7. Bowlegged Woman
8. Water Song
9. Hit Single #1
10. Funky #7
11. Encore: Baby What You Want Me To Do?

Nine hours and fifteen minutes and here we are in Tampa. A couple hours of real non vibrating rest, a shower and a meal, and I'll be fit as a rutting buck. Tonight is Skipper's Smokehouse, or the Skipperdome as they like to call it. More anon.

Just a short entry before I actually get to sleep in a hotel bed for a changed. The Skipperdome was out standing. We even got 2 encores. Here is our set list:
Acoustic Set:
1. That?ll Never Happen No More
2. I?ll Let You Know Before I Leave
3. Blues Stay Away From Me
4. I Know You Rider
5. Big River Blues
6. I See The Light
7. Genesis
8. 99 Year Blues
9. I Am The Light Of This World
10. San Francisco Bay Blues

Electric set:
1. Living Just For You
2. Serpent Of Dreams
3. I Wish You Would
4. Rock Me Baby
5. Corners Without Exits
6. Talkin? ?Bout You
7. Bowlegged Woman
8. Water Song
9. Hit Single #1
10. Funky #7
11. Encore: Baby What You Want Me To Do?
12. Encore 2: Come Back Baby

I'm going to try to write some more in the morning before we take off for Charlotte. Right now, it's to the blessed bed.

After a dandy gig at the Neighborhood Theater in Charlotte, we hopped in the bus and drove straightaway to A.C. First of all, here is the set list from lat night:
Acoustic Set:
1. That?ll Never Happen No More
2. Blues Stay Away From Me
3. I?ll Let You Know Before I Leave
4. Blue Railroad Train
5. Prohibition Blues
6. I See The Light
7. Heart Temporary
8. Good Shepherd
9. A Life Well Lived
10. Just Because

Electric Set:
1. Living Just For You
2. Serpent Of Dreams
3. I Wish You Would
4. Rock Me Baby
5. Corners Without Exits
6. Can?t Get Satisfied
7. Bowlegged Woman
8. Talkin? ?Bout You
9. Water Song
10. Hit Single #1
11. Funky #7
12. Encore: Come Back Baby

Eric got off in D.C. where he will be playing at the inauguration tomorrow. What a concept. Barry headed for home for a couple of days with the ladies although I will meet him in Trenton tomorrow for our War Memorial gig. The rest of us are languishing here in A.C. where it is snowing. Hmm... I think I'll have dinner and sleep comfortably in a bed that doesn't move.

Life is still good...

The gig at the War Memorial that Woody Man hosts is one of those really special events for me. For those of you living in the Trenton area you are blessed by having this wonderful venue nearby. Special thanks should also be given to Molly Sword McDonough for the wonderful job she does as Executive Director. That an outstanding artist like Woody lends himself to booking and hosting the Kaplan Series is the frosting on the cake. Go to www.thewarmemorial.com and find the treats in store for your. This series is an unbelievable winner.
...and here is Barry's and my set list from last night:

First Show, First Set:
1. Trouble In Mind
2. How Long Blues
3. I?ll Let You Know Before I Leave
4. Red River Blues
5. Another Man Done Gone
6. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed And Burning
7. Bread Line Blues
8. I Know You Rider

First Show, Second Set:
1. I?m Free From The Chain Gang Now
2. Uncle Sam Blues
3. Serpent Of Dreams
4. Heart Temporary
5. Embryonic Journey
6. Keep On Truckin? Mama
7. Encore: That?ll Never Happen No More (with Woody Mann)

Second Show, First Set:
1. Blue Railroad Train
2. Waiting For A Train
3. Blues stay Away From Me
4. Do Not Go Gentle
5. Prohibition Blues
6. Genesis
7. Hesitation Blues

Second Show, Second Set:
1. Tom Cat Blues
2. Trial By Fire
3. Good Shepherd
4. Just Because
5. Encore: Big River Blues (with Woody Mann)

It was great to hear Woody play last night and a real treat for us to play a couple of songs with him. This whole deal is a winner!

Cold, cold... winter is here. But it was warm in the Xanadu tonight. we did a darn good show for the folks tonight. Here is the set list:
Acoustic Set:
1. Hesitation Blues
2. Blue Railroad Train
3. I?ll Let You Know Before I Leave
4. Bread Line Blues
5. I See The Light
6. Good Shepherd
7. A Life Well Lived
8. I Am The Light Of This World

Electric Set:
1. I Wish You Would
2. Living Just For You
3. Can?t Get Satisfied
4. Rock Me Baby
5. Corners Without Exits
6. Talkin? ?Bout You
7. Bowlegged Woman
8. Water Song
9. Hit Single # 1
10. Funky # 7
11. Encore: Baby What You Want Me To Do?

An interesting stay here in A.C. More tomorrow... there's an early bus call and we're heading into the storm in Long Island.

Yesterday was just one of those days. On our way to Huntington, some guy who didn't realize that four wheel drive gets you into lots of places it won't get you out of, spun out and smacked the front of the bus. The damage didn't look that severe, but those who know how expensive everything is on those tour busses will know that this one won't be fixed on the cheap. Anyway, we made it to Huntington... The promoter wanted to go on with the show... we were there anyway so we did. The conditions on Long Island deteriorated as the evening went on and of course we caught lots of flak from people who couldn't make the show. I understand that... safety comes first... a show is just a show. Well, when you make a decision, you have at least a 50% chance of being right. Those who made it to the show (including the guy who rode a snowmobile up the LIE) thought we were right. Those who didn't thought we were wrong. We're still sorting all this out and more will, I'm sure, be revealed. Anyway here is the set list from last night: Yesterday was just one of those days. On our way to Huntington, some guy who didn't realize that four wheel drive gets you into lots of places it won't get you out of, spun out and smacked the front of the bus. The damage didn't look that severe, but those who know how expensive everything is on those tour busses will know that this one won't be fixed on the cheap. Anyway, we made it to Huntington... The promoter wanted to go on with the show... we were there anyway so we did. The conditions on Long Island deteriorated as the evening went on and of course we caught lots of flak from people who couldn't make the show. I understand that... safety comes first... a show is just a show. Well, when you make a decision, you have at least a 50% chance of being right. Those who made it to the show (including the guy who rode a snowmobile up the LIE) thought we were right. Those who didn't thought we were wrong. We're still sorting all this out and more will, I'm sure, be revealed. Anyway here is the set list from last night:
First Show
Acoustic Set:
1. Big River Blues
2. I?ll Be All Right Some Day
3. I Know You Rider
4. I?ll Let You Know Before I Leave
5. Bread Line Blues
6. Genesis
7. 99 Year Blues
8. 9 Pound Hammer

Electric Set:
1. Corner?s Without Exits
2. In The Kingdom
3. Can?t Get Satisfied
4. I Wish You Would
5. Living Just For You
6. Bowlegged Woman
7. Hit Single #1
8. Baby What You Want me To Do

Second Show
Acoustic Set:
1. Blue Railroad Train
2. Waiting For A Train
3. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed And Burning
4. I?m Free From The Chain Gang Now
5. How Long Blues
6. Red River Blues
7. Embryonic Journey
8. Hesitation Blues

Second Show
Electric Set:
1. Talkin? ?Bout You
2. Living Just For You
3. Trial By Fire
4. Bowlegged Woman
5. Rock Me Baby
6. Corners Without Exits
7. Can?t Get Satisfied
8. I Wish You Would
9. Water Song
10. Funky #7
11. Encore: Come Back Baby

By the way, last night's show makes ten sets for Barry and myself in the last three days. After the Helen Hayes show tonight, it will be 12 sets in four days. I need an evening to go see a movie, or maybe get some sleep. Anyway, I hope everyone who came to the show last night got home safely and I hope who decided not to remained safe. There will be more on this, I'm sure.

Now, it's off to sound check.

Ah... a full night in a bed. What a concept. We were at the Helen Hayes Theater last night... what a great place. Some good Thai food before the show and a wonderful audience to play for. Here is our set list:
Acoustic Set:
1. Trouble In Mind
2. I?ll Let You Know Before I Leave
3. Blues Stay Away From Me
4. I Know You Rider
5. Death Don?t Have No Mercy
6. A Life Well Lived
7. Bread Line Blues
8. I See The Light
9. Heart Temporary
10. Good Shepherd

Electric Set:
1. Living Just For You
2. Been So Long
3. Can?t Get Satisfied
4. Rock Me Baby
5. Corners Without Exits
6. In The Kingdom
7. Talkin? ?Bout You
8. Bowlegged Woman
9. Hit Single #1
10. Funky #7
11. Encore: Water Song

This is just going to be short entry as there is a breakfast waiting for me. It's colder'n you know what... but it's a bright day out.

Indeed... a great show at the German House... sold out. Here is our set list.
Acoustic Set:
1. Blue Railroad Train
2. Waiting For A Train
3. I Know You Rider
4. I?ll Let You Know Before I Leave
5. Blues Stay Away From Me
6. Prohibition Blues
7. I See The Light
8. A Life Well Lived
9. Good Shepherd

Electric Set:
1. Bowlegged Woman
2. Living Just For You
3. Trial By Fire
4. Can?t Get Satisfied
5. Rock Me Baby
6. Talkin? ?Bout You
7. Corners Without Exits
8. Bar Room Crystal Ball
9. Hit Single # 1
10. Water Song
11. Funky # 7
12. Encore: Baby What You Want Me To Do?

We're Leaving early for Johnson City so I'm going to bed and I'll write more later.

Yesterday we drove from Rochester to Johnson City and played the Magic City Music Hall.... then we packed up and headed to Buffalo which is where we are now. Here is our set list from last night:
Acoustic Set:
1. That?ll Never Happen No More
2. I?m Free From The Chain Gang Now
3. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed And Burning
4. I?ll Let You Know Before I Leave
5. Blues Stay Away From Me
6. Bread Line Blues
7. I See The Light
8. Heart Temporary
9. I Am The Light Of This World
10. 9 Pound Hammer

Electric set:
1. I Wish You Would
2. Corners Without Exits
3. In The Kingdom
4. Can?t Get Satisfied
5. Talkin? ?Bout You
6. Living Just For You
7. Bowlegged Woman
8. Rock Me Baby
9. Water Song
10. Hit Single #1
11. Funky #7
12. Encore: Come Back Baby

It's almost 0600 and the bus call is for 1400 so I'm hitting the sack.

I've been playing the Tralf up here in Buffalo for over 20 years. This was one of the best shows of all time at that venue. Here is our set list:
Acoustic Set:
1. Blue Railroad Train
2. Waiting For A Train
3. How Long Blues
4. I?ll Let You Know Before I Leave
5. I Know You Rider
6. Prohibition Blues
7. Genesis
8. Good Shepherd
9. What Are They Doing In Heaven Today?
10. Just Because

Electric Set;
1. Living Just For You
2. Serpent Of Dreams
3. Can?t Get Satisfied
4. Rock Me Baby
5. Corners Without Exits
6. Talkin? ?Bout You
7. Hot Jelly Roll Blues
8. Bowlegged Woman
9. Water Song
10. Hit Single #1
11. Funky #7
12. Encore: Baby What You Want Me To Do?

The bed is calling me and I'm heading that way with a smile on my face. Rock 'n' Roll indeed...

The last gig of the tour at the House of Blues here in Cleveland. We're leaving for home in a couple of hours, so I'm just gong to post the set list and write a wrap up when I get into Hillside Farm. Suffice it to say it was a great last gig. Here is the set list:
Acoustic Set:
1. Big River Blues
2. Hesitation Blues
3. I Know You Rider
4. I?ll Let You Know Before I Leave
5. Blues Stay Away From Me
6. I See The Light
7. Heart Temporary
8. Bread Line Blues
9. A Life Well Lived
10. I Am The Light Of This World
11. 99 Year Blues
12. 9 Pound Hammer

Electric Set:
1. Can?t Get Satisfied
2. Corners Without Exits
3. Bar Room Crystal Ball
4. Talkin? ?Bout You
5. Rock Me Baby
6. Living Just For You
7. In The Kingdom
8. Bowlegged Woman
9. Water Song
10. Hit Single # 1
11. Funky # 7
12. Encore: Come Back Baby

More when we get in. Good night Irene.

Well, the bus got back to the Ranch at 1500 yesterday and I was home at Hillside by 1700. It is truly great to be back. I'm going to write a wrap up about the tour within the next day or so. In the meantime it could be in the forties later today... a heat wave. I'm off...