Me, Izze and my nephew at Homecoming
Last Saturday was the Homecoming Parade in Athens, Ohio and The Psylodelic Gallery was represented in the persons of Vanessa, Treva, Ally and Hannah… we’ll get to that.
Giant puppets from Honey For The Heart
We look forward to the wonderful art and community involvement that the folks at Honey For The Heart bring. It is a wonderful involvement for folks of all ages.
Here come the gals from the Psylodelic Gallery
I got to Court Street nice and early so I could get some nice shots of our ‘family.’
Nessa... my flower child takes to the street
One great float after another came by.
The Sherrif's very own Humvee
Yeah… we’ve got everything here.
wicked... very wicked
The supernatural creatures from the Wicked Forest make their appearance.
Saturday night at Hillside Farm
After the Parade I drove up to the Columbus Airport to pick up my son Zach who spent the rest of the Columbus Day Weekend with us. Here we are around the portable fire… brothers, sisters, cousins and in laws. Smors and more. Good times!
Good ride... shiny side up
It’s been raining here since Monday, but Sunday Zach and I got in a 150 mile ride through the hills, hollers and evolving foliage of beautiful Southeast Ohio. Couldn’t get too much better. Monday, Zach drove the two of us in my Abarth back to the East Coast and all I can say is, ‘What a weekend!’
Solitary flying w G-D
Hi Jorma. I just wanna chime in to thank you for — well everything. I bought Yellow Fever as soon as I heard “Baby what you want me to do” on the radio in 1975. Bar Room Crystal Ball emerged as my favorite song from that stellar album and remains so to this day.
The Herbert Spencer quote in the big book was like a bucket of cold water in my face when I first read it. It was instrumental in my accepting the solution in that book, as well as tempering my arrogance.
So glad you’re still doing what you do (and a special thanks for the JA50 show at Lockn’ last year, what a hoot). Hope to make it out to Fur Peace someday… Meanwhile, my best wishes to you and the family.
Peace! ✌️
I need time to digest the quote you put out. It’s a good one!
Thank You so much Jorma for your answer to my question. We are the lucky one’s! Saw you in Newton NJ and it kind of started a whole resurgence of buying every single CD or LP that you recorded. My story stared in 1971 like you well on the way to a dark decent. I’m here today thru the grace of a loving creator and a lot of help from fine people. I see a glow in you that is contagion, and guess I caught the bug. Will talk again somewhere down the road but for today I wish you well.
Listened to Hot Tuna’s Album Yellow Fever for many years and I’m a little bit confused? Wasn’t this song written by Jorma at the height of his addiction or was it written because he saw that addiction train heading towards him and wasn’t sure he could survive the impact? Only Jorma could answer that question. This is one of my favorite Hot Tuna tunes and now that the lyrics are being explained it doesnt change anything. Often when I listen to this song it sends chills down my spine and at times I can become very cloaked up. Not to many song can do that. I’ve been to too many funerals to not understand this song.
Hi Don… Jorma weighing in. This song was written as the train was just getting rolling… I could see it coming, but didn’t know it was possible to disembark. I think I just accepted the impending impact as inevitable… just the way it was. I always loved the song… even as a prescient offering. I still like the Tuna version… why not? It’s a great version! I just wanted all the words to be heard… hence the new version. As a songwriter, I find it interesting that you never know how people are going to hear what you are trying to say. As a professional musician, I guess if people dig your work… that’s good enough. As a street philosopher, it’s nice to be at least moderately understood. OK… since the door to this discussion is open… I throw out one of my favorite quotes that has nothing to do with your thoughtful post.
“There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments, and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance—that principle is contempt prior to investigation.”
This is in the Big Book… oft attributed to Herbert Spencer but it might actually be William Paley.
You got me to thinking on this Easter Sunday… for too many of our friends their first step was their last.
Thanks Don… my very best to you and yours…
I think my brain may have cramped as I wrote that last message. I suppose it can’t be in open G and Bb at the same time. capo must be the answer. I just want to be able to play it and have it sound so cool the way you used to do it. thank you immeasurably!!!
@Jorma
Hi Jorma, this is Cotter. I used to mix for Phil Lesh and Friends and have worked with you numerous times. I just wanted to chime in on these old posts about BarroomCrystalBall. Always been one of my favorite songs and am now so glad to have the actual lyrics. Thank you. As far as playing it, is it an open G tuning? which is why it’s in Bb? just curious. Anyway thanks again and hope to work with you again soon, Cotter
G Tuning, Capo 3 Cotter…
Hi Jorma, Thanks for the lyrics to BRCB, what a great song. I always had some idea what it was about, now it’s crystal clear 🙂 Looking forward to the new version. I bought Yellow Fever in 1975 after hearing Baby What You Want Me To Do on the radio. Still love the whole record, ‘specially with my now clear head. Rock on!
My son, 20 years old, was in Chile when my wife and I saw you at the Beacon, NYC last weekend. Even though he had been kayaking and rock climbing in the southern hemisphere, he was palpably disappointed that he missed you, Jack, Marty and that excellent lady (dare I say stand in for Grace?). So at least a discerning few born decades after the dawn of Tuna hear and love you. Anyway, my ears are still ringing a little. Thanks for a great evening! How can you play for 4 hours!??
Well I will really look forward to that Jorma. I can imagine there is a painful memory attached to it for you and of course the real beauty is interpretation can be unique to others and their experiences. That’s why it always resonated so deeply for me. Thanks again and keep on truckin’!
Man, I have to weigh in here. Bar Room Crystal Ball has haunted me for decades. It has to be my number 1 song ever. I have always felt the significance of the meaning even if the lyrics are difficult to discern. I really really really appreciate the clarification and interpretation Jorma. Now if I could only play it myself!
You’re the best and a shining light in my life. All the best to you and yours – Jeff K.
Hey… Jeff… Just did a new version of BRCB for my new CD which will be out net year… The emphasis is on the words… you will be able to hear them all. This was an important song for me when I wrote it and decades later it is even more song… thanks!
Thanks for a great shiw in Toms River.
Dear Jorma,
Thank you for the wonderful photo’s of your life out at the farm and ranch!
Much love to you and yours:)
Cyndy
well thanks Jorma….thats about what I found when I looked it up on google..hah…I appreciate the come back…
he told me the song was about him, guess not. Tampa sounds like a blast – love it down there. St Pete Beach is so nice and slow – i love the west coast. maybe try to get to that one.
I think it was Landers though, it was near the mission district
Johno – well thanks. I am from Queens originally; left in 73…. was out in SF hanging about in 74. Yuh; Lenders St…. Lenders Well is something really beyond me.
@Joe in DC
my friend Richie Mandracchio from queens back in 1971 introduced me to HT and he moved to SF in ’75-’76 and moved into an apt on Lenders St in SF. I visited there a couple times. Jorma, is it have anything to do with Lenders St in SF?
Barroom crystal ball has been close to my heart since day 1.
Wish you would explain more of your stuff, I have loved Tuna for so long. Anyway be careful riding those back roads, wouldn’t want to lose you.
Excellent stuff Jorma.
Since you gave such a good explanation on Bar Room Crystal Ball I have another question that’s been hanging around for years.
Maybe you can shed some light on it…or a tuna fan….
What is a “LENDERS WELL”?
I have goggled and search and do not know……
In advance; thanks, as always.
A lender is one who lends
A well is a source for water… sometimes at the bottom of a deep hole
jorma
How long has it been Jorma since you and Marty were on the stage togeather ? Will Jack be there also ?
Not that long… he occasionally sits in with us when we’re in Tampa… Jack will be there too.
Great stuff Jorma. Those times togeather with the family are priceless and I am happy for you. Bar Room Crystal Ball is always a favorite and I can recollect hearing it many times at the Academy and elsewhere. Its meaning and for the most part the lyrics somehow escaped me. Thank You for sharing with us Jorma.
Oh my God Jorma. I knew that song referenced some dark stuff, but the lyrics always eluded me. Reading them brought tears. My sober journey has been wonderful, but lately has taken some life on lifes’ terms twists that are out of my control. Al-anon type stuff with my beloved lady. Heartbreaking. I’m so happy for your successful life transition . Having worked on playing that song, now the lyrics can be included. Much love, and thanks, Joey
Jorma…thank you for taking the time to answer. I’m glad you’re still here to play and I’m glad I’m still here to listen.
@Jorma
Great song and lyrics! Always has been one of many Jorma/Tuna faves, even if it is about a dark subject.
@Steve Levenson
you gotta be kidding me!!!
Athens looks like such a great downtown district. Real Americana!
Hey, I have a question for all you Tunaheads out there. Can someone please tell me the last two verses of Bar Room Crystal Ball? Also, is it ” the sawdust is feeling fine, my body sure don’t mind”? Any info would be appreciated. Jorma, please feel free to weigh in.
thanks
Hey Charlie… Jorma here, and here we go. This song is about the descent into alcoholism and addiction. A journey taken with the awareness of what was, at the time, inescapable destiny. Alcohol and drugs… takes no prisoners… destroys all in its path. Anyway…
Bar Room Crystal Ball
By Jorma Kaukonen
Early this morning someone hot on the line
Said me and my friends are downtown, drinking wine
They’re trying to help me but they ain’t got time
To see which way I’ve fallen
This sawdust’s feeling fine
And my body sure don’t mind
This solitary flying
At summers stare again
I don’t remember when
This morning feels as if it’s still a part of night
And the dream I had before the last is out of sight
But what I feel between us now gives you the right
To see how far I’ve fallen
Refrain
-2-
Instrumental
One more line before me gonna see me pass
Into the realm of pure imagination last
Before the unsung shower from a lightning blast
Around the house that’s fallen
Refrain
Now I see the form that’s silent on the floor
And nothing’s gonna be the way it was before
Cause I still feel the shadow from the pistol’s roar
Above the head that’s fallen
Refrain
Gee, I remember the days when the last person I wanted to see was the Sheriff…and now I look forward to it..
Livin the dream Jorma…….
🙂
Nice that you got time to spend with your son. I’m sure you cherish every minute. Onward!
Holy Cow, I remember Ginger carrying baby Montana around the FPR. Big kid! Makes you wonder where the years have gone.. Peace brother.
Looks like a good time was had by all.