Jorma Kaukonen's Online Diary

Well I'm home from a fantastic couple of weeks in Europe... Hungary, and Italy. More about this over the next couple of days.

Monday morning we got an email from Happy Traum telling us of the death of his brother Artie on Sunday. That was such sad news. Artie and I had not seen each other for many years but I remember as a fine artist and a great gentleman. If you go to Artie's website at www.artietraum.com. you will read many beautiful things about the man. My heart goes out to his family. The river of time cannot be diminished by a single drop without the loss being felt throughout the universt.

Fair wind and following seas Artie!

Que bella luna! As we started our set in the ancient town aquare last night, the moon smiled down on us through some spectular cloud formations. Italy is such a beautiful country and Cosenza and it's surroundings are no exception. As is the custom here, we ate late and didn't start the show until almost 2245. There were some minor technical problems, but you know... no problem. We had a great night. Here is our set list:

Hot Tuna 29, 2008
The Acoustic Trio
Piazza XV Marzo
Cosenza, Italia
Friday, July 18, 2008

1. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
2. I See The Light
3. How Long Blues
4. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
5. Hesitation Blues
6. Genesis
7. I Know You Rider
8. Come Back Baby
9. Late Breaking News
10. Embryonic Journey
11. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
12. Good Shepherd
13. More Than My Old Guitar
14. I Am The Light Of This World
15. Just Because
16. Encore: Water Song

It's always fun to be on the road with my pals, but having my son Zach with me here on this trip made it even more special. Later this morning we fly up to Roma and tomorrow we head for home. It will be great to be home again, but there is always that hint of sadness that one feels leaving a place that one really likes. We'll be back for sure! Italy has embrace me and my music for more that a quarter of a century. Even though Lord knows I can't speak Italian, I sure feel at home here. Still and all, Hillside Farm and the girls are waiting and another page is ready to be turned. Onward.

Arrivederci!

Yesterday was a 'day off,' which means that we spent all day traveling. We got in after 1900 and indeed we found ourselves in the tropics. Southern Italy is a different world altogether. It was warm, but not too warm and the humidity was almost nonexistant. As is the wont in this part of the world, dinner did not start until after 2100 and as we started to walk back to the hotel afterwards, the walking streets were still filled with people unjoying the summer night air.

Shops were beginning to close one by one as we walked under the full moon. It was a pleasure to find that one of the last ones open was a gelato shop. What a great way to close the day.

Today, Zach and I walked around and did some exploring and then after lunch I came back to the room to string my guitar and work on the set list for this evening. The boys headed up to the old Norman Castle on the hill and I expect them back any moment.

The shops on the street below me are just beginning to open up after the afternoon siesta and life is returning to the city. I think I'll go out and find the rest of the gang.

Onward...