Jorma Kaukonen's Online Diary

I walked over to the diner this morning by the Jersey Gardens Mall in a driving rain. Collar up and head down as Mary-Chapin Carpenter would say in What Would You say To Me... a grey stormy day indeed. As I sat in the booth having breakfast I had pause to reflect on well, just things in general. Last night was our Loretta Lynn night at Merkin and there was so much great talent there, I just had to wonder if the lucky folks who were in the audience last night appreciated the magic of the evening as much as I did. You hear a lot about jamming and this and that but there was some serious jamming done last night. I'm not talking about self indulgent wanking solos... I'm talking about a group of artists not totally familiar with each other who came together to chart songs, learn songs and play songs... together. This is the kind of feeling that got me into playing music in the first place... a sense of intuitive camaraderie. This is the poop for sure! Here is the lineup for our little portion of the evening:

Jorma Kaukonen & Friends

Mary Olive Smith- guitar & vocals
Danny Weiss- guitar and vocals
Stephan Crump- upright bass
Tony Leoni- drums
Larry Campbell- fiddle & steel guitar
Teresa Williams- vocals
Barry Mitterhoff - mandolin & tenor guitar
...and of course, yours truly, Jorma.

Here are our songs:
1. Talking To The Wall
2. After The Fire Is Gone
3. If You’re Not Gone Too Long
4. A Man I Hardly Know
5. Blue Kentucky Girl
6. You’re Looking At Country

In the course of the evening there was G.E. Smith, Taylor Barton, Jen Chapin, Laura Cantrell and a host of accompanying friends. I have forgotten many names and the fault is mine. The room was filled with great players and approaches. John Schafer hosted the evening as always in his elegant way and I hope everyone felt as at home as I did. We finished the evening with a gang twang surrounding Coal Miner’s Daughter and all the ladies sang. Good stuff for sure.

Next week is Lefty Frizzell and we’re heading to PA for a gig tonight so off I go. New Yorkers sure get a lot of classy entertainment!

The Colonial Theater is a winner. Even though it is really a movie theater, the sound is absolutely terrific for live acoustic music. We had a blast and her is our set list:

Jorma Kaukonen & Barry Mitterhoff 7, 2008
The Colonial Theater
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
Friday, February 01, 2008

First Set:
1. Search My Heart
2. Barbeque King
3. Been So Long
4. I See The Light
5. Heart Temporary
6. I Know You Rider
7. Bread Line Blues
8. The Terrible Operation
9. More Than My Old Guitar
10. Late Breaking News

Second Set:
1. Hesitation Blues
2. Come Back Baby
3. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
4. How Long Blues
5. Sea Child
6. Good Shepherd
7. Serpent Of Dreams
8. 99 Year Blues
9. I Am The Light Of This World
10. Fur Peace Rag
11. Uncle Sam Blues
12. Just Because
13. Encore: Embryonic Journey

This entry is short because we are getting on the road right now for Annapolis. I shall definitely write more tomorrow.

This was a good one! Oh, I almost forgot, Dennis Elsas from WFUV in NYC asked me to post this after our interview... which, by the way waw a gas.

'We'll be presenting the full interview and performance I did
with Jorma as part of our Words and Music series Monday night at 9PM.
It also airs in a five minute feature called "Take Five" that we
run at 8:15AM and 4:45PM and is available as a podcast.
Is this info jorma would post on his website?

Thanks - Dennis'

Last night Barry and I played the good old Ram's Head in Annapolis. My son Zach came up to spend the night and all in all we had quite a good time. It's always nice to spend time with my boy! After dinner Barry and I hit the stage and here is our set list:

Jorma Kaukonen & Barry Mitterhoff 8, 2008
The Ram’s Head
Annapolis, Maryland
Saturday, February 02, 2008

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. I See The Light
3. Heart Temporary
4. Trial By Fire
5. Sea Child
6. There’s A Table Sitting In Heaven
7. A Life Well Lived
8. I Know You Rider
9. Come Back Baby
10. That’ll Never Happen No More
11. Late Breaking News

Second Set:
1. Hesitation Blues
2. Parchman Farm
3. Keep You Lamps Trimmed & Burning
4. Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown?
5. Lonesome Whistle
6. The Terrible Operation
7. More Than My Old Guitar
8. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
9. How Long Blues
10. Good Shepherd
11. Barbeque King
12. Nine Pound Hammer
13. Encore: Genesis

I'm looking forward to watching the Super Bowl tonight with my boy and next week it's back to Merkin Hall in New York for our final show... this one will be our Lefty Frizzell night.

Onward...

Last night Barry and I played the good old Ram's Head in Annapolis. My son Zach came up to spend the night and all in all we had quite a good time. It's always nice to spend time with my boy! After dinner Barry and I hit the stage and here is our set list:

Jorma Kaukonen & Barry Mitterhoff 8, 2008
The Ram’s Head
Annapolis, Maryland
Saturday, February 02, 2008

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. I See The Light
3. Heart Temporary
4. Trial By Fire
5. Sea Child
6. There’s A Table Sitting In Heaven
7. A Life Well Lived
8. I Know You Rider
9. Come Back Baby
10. That’ll Never Happen No More
11. Late Breaking News

Second Set:
1. Hesitation Blues
2. Parchman Farm
3. Keep You Lamps Trimmed & Burning
4. Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown?
5. Lonesome Whistle
6. The Terrible Operation
7. More Than My Old Guitar
8. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
9. How Long Blues
10. Good Shepherd
11. Barbeque King
12. Nine Pound Hammer
13. Encore: Genesis

I'm looking forward to watching the Super Bowl tonight with my boy and next week it's back to Merkin Hall in New York for our final show... this one will be our Lefty Frizzell night.

Onward...

My boy Zach and I came down to his hometown of Arlington together yesterday and we've got some plans for today. The D.C. area being the museum haven it is, even though he's seen most of them, there are a couple he's missed and we're going to catch them today... together. Then tomorrow, it's back to school for him and back to N.Y. for me for the last Merkin Hall show. This one is the Lefty Frizzell one and as I have been digging into Lefty, I find that some of his material is pure rock 'n' roll. I know there are going to be some great interpretations fo this material. All of these Merkin Hall shows have been superb from my point of view and this one is going to be a dandy closer.

Well, first breakfast... and then the museums. Ah, D.C... Taxation without representation. I love that plate so much, it's almost worth registering a car here.

Onward...

Last night was our final Blue Country Heart Lefty Frizzell show and it wound up with a bang. Barry and I were joined again by Larry Campbell and here is our set list:

1. Watermelon Time In Georgia
2. An Old, Old, Man
3. California Blues (Blue Yodel #4)
4. Life's Like Poetry
5. I Can't Live That Fast Anymore

I just got off the bus a little bit ago so I've got lots of unpacking to do. This was a great little run and I'm going to hold forth on it some more tomorrow.

It's great to be home!

First up I've got a little promotional announcement to make. Check this out:

Saturday, March 15th-HILLELAPALOOZA- Jorma, Barry, The Royales and Rob McNurlin $75.00

Join us at the Ranch for this special evening as we host Hillel at Ohio University's annual fundraiser. Featuring Jorma Kaukonen, Barry Mitterhoff, The Royales and Rob McNurlin. In addition to a fine evening of live music, this event features a silent auction, savories, an opportunity to tour the Ranch and a meet and greet with the musicians. All proceeds benefit Hillel at Ohio University.
www.ohiohillel.org

www.theroyalesband.com

www.robmcnurlin.com

www.jormakaukonen.com

I mean for seventy five bucks, how can you go wrong? The Royales are a great dance band... Rob McNurlin is one of the finest traditional roots singers I know and Barry and I are Barry and I. Plan for a great evening and meet us at the Ranch.

As for current events... I just haven't had the time to think much less write but this could change over the next couple of days. In the meantime, plan on attending the Hillepalooza and I'll try to find some spare time. Onward...

For some reason I've been unable to upload to my site ofr the last couple of days so I guess this is a test of sorts. We left the snow and ice back in Ohio and here in Desert Hot Springs it is just beautiful. Our workshops started this morning and I have one more in about half an hour. The food has been great, the class is happening and life is good.

Back to the workshop... more tomorrow.

We just concluded our first Fur Peace Ranch session here in Desert Springs, California and it exceeded our expectations. There was, indeed, a wonderful group of students and we all really had a great time. The last folks just headed out to the airport and in a little bit I think I'm going to head down to the Hot Springs and soak a little bit. It's still windy today but the sun is out and the mountains are beautiful. I can't believe I'm getting hungry again but I might be. There are some fantastic Mexican eateries here in town and it is a diner's choice. Vanessa and John have a couple of chores to attend to so I think i'll practice a little bit and put off eating until after my sojourn in the spa.

Where did I put that guitar...?

My journal over the past couple of days has been frustrating as I have been unable to upload anything. If this works, just think how happy I'll be.

We've had a couple days off after that last class on Friday morning. Yesteray we hiked the Indian Trail and today we just took it easy. Tomorrow, everything starts all over again. well, I guess i'll just see if this works and hit the sack. On way or the other, I'm sure more will be revealed.

Were back in the throes of our second Ranch On The Road here at the Hot Springs. Dave Alvin is on board for this week and we are thrilled to have him. We have a full house and Marjorie is onboard and as always is a huge help. Khowledge is flying around at an alarming rate.

We've been enjoying our stay here in the high desert. I could get used to weather like this in February. There won't be any plowing here this week. One thing I do have to say. I know it is peak season out here and with good reason. One of the by products is non stop traffic. You would think that this far out traffic would be minimal but such is not the case. Next time I get stuck behind a cow on the road at home, I'm going to be sure not to complain.

How bad can it get. Onward...

Last night here at the Ranch On The Road was such a treat for me. Dave Alvin has been teaching a songwriter workshop and we had a little performance after dinner in the ballroom. I have been an admirer of Dave's work for a very long time and it was a real treat to see him on stage in person in such an intimate setting. Quite simply, he's great. I played some tunes after him and and then we played a few songs together. I really love Dave's art. I hope I get a chance to do something with him in the future.

For now it's breakfast and the morning class.

The last two days have been really busy. Here is our set list from tonight's show at McCabe's:

Jorma Kaukonen & Barry Mitterhoff 10, 2008
McCabe’s Music Store
Santa Monica, California
Sunday, February 24, 2008

First Show:
1. Search My Heart
2. Re-Enlistment Blues
3. Serpent Of Dreams
4. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
5. More Than My Old Guitar
6. The Terrible Operation
7. Living In The Moment
8. Trial By Fire
9. There’s A Table Sitting In Heaven
10. 99 Year Blues
11. Barbeque King
12. I’ll Be All Right Some Day
13. Been So Long
14. I Know You Rider
15. Encore: A Life Well Lived

Second Show:
1. I See The Light
2. Heart Temporary
3. Babe I Want You To Know
4. Fur Peace Rag
5. Sea Child
6. Watch The Northwind Rise
7. Uncle Sam Blues
8. I Am The Light Of This World
9. Good Shepherd
10. Late Breaking news
11. How Long Blues
12. Working Man Blues
13. Just Because
14. Encore: Water Song

And here is the set list from last night's show:

Jorma Kaukonen & Barry Mitterhoff 9, 2008
McCabe’s Music Store
Santa Monica, California
February 23, 2008

First Show:
1. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
2. Trouble In Mind
3. Red River Blues
4. I See The Light
5. Heart Temporary
6. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
7. I Know You Rider
8. If We Make It Through December
9. Come Back Baby
10. There’s A Table Sitting In Heaven
11. Sea Child
12. Fur Peace Rag
13. Lonesome Whistle
14. That’ll Never Happen No More
15. Uncle Sam Blues
16. San Francisco Bay Blues
17. Encore: Embryonic Journey

Second Show:
1. Candy Man
2. Parchman Farm
3. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
4. Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown
5. The Terrible Operation
6. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
7. Barbeque King
8. Bread Line Blues
9. Good Shepherd
10. How Long Blues
11. Tom Cat Blues
12. Hesitation Blues
13. Late Breaking News
14. Encore: Been So Long

We dedicated I'll Be All Right Someday to my friend Harvey who passed away yesterday. There's not much more to say right now.

Flying out of Los Angeles yesterday afternoon I had the window seat for a change and as we lifted into the sunset the Pacific waves below danced with sparkling promise. Usually I prefer the aisle and it has been a long time since I looked out of the winder of a plane but there it was. Over fifty years ago the Kaukonen family flew out of Los Angeles on a Globemaster on our way to the Philippines. The Globemaster was a four engine double deck plane in an era when flying was still glamorous and exciting. As we lifted into the night in 1956 the blue fire from the Pratt & Whitney piston engines crept from under the cowlings and licked the nacelles with an eerie glow. It was exciting. We spent the night in Honolulu and then flew off to the P.I. (R.P. now). On the way we fueled at Wake and Guam. I made several trips on those glorious plans and then in the late fifties, they were gone… replaced by the then sparkling new Boeing 707’s. Jets were in… pistons were gone and so was an era of travel.

That said, there I was yesterday looking out the window of whatever jet I was on and the ocean looked the same… unchanged… timeless… rolling… rolling. The Pacific below was the adventure it has always been and we, tiny people hurtling across the skies. Some things never change.

In Lihue, we were met by new friends from the gig that is tomorrow and they took us to our hotel. At night you have no idea where you are but when I got up today and looked out my window, I realized we were on the shores of a beautiful lagoon. Wow… on the road we’re usually between a Cracker Barrel and a Wal-Mart. This was unbelievable. I went for a walk into town and came back and met the boys for breakfast and then a trip to the beach. I didn’t have to play tonight so I didn’t care how wet my hands got. After some mild body surfing as my skin started to heat up I came back to my room. As soon as my hands toughen up again, I think I’ll do some picking and then if there is still enough light… back to the beach. Tomorrow reality will set in and we’ll be working and traveling every day until we get home.

Too bad my family can’t share this with me today… it being miserable and all back home, but another time.

Our stay here has been, well just great and our first acoustic gig with Jack was darned good. Here is our set list:

Hot Tuna 1, 2008
The Acoustic Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Barry Mitterhoff
Kauai Community College Theater
Thursday, February 28, 2008


First Set:
1. True Religion
2. Blue Railroad Train
3. How Long Blues
4. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
5. I See The Light
6. Heart Temporary
7. There’s A Table Sitting In Heaven
8. The Terrible Operation
9. Come Back Baby
10. I Know You Rider
11. Late Breaking News

Second Set:
1. Parchman Farm
2. Keep You Lamps Trimmed & Burning
3. Sea Child
4. More Than My Old Guitar
5. Hesitation Blues
6. Babe I Want You To Know
7. Red River Blues
8. Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown?
9. Living In The Moment
10. Good Shepherd
11. I Am The Light Of This World
12. Working Man Blues
13. Encore: Genesis

Tomorrow is an early call, so this is just a set list entry. We're off to Oahu in the morning. Later...