International traveling is humbling at best… sort of like life sometimes. I drove from Laconia to Logan in Boston, flew to NY. Changed terminals, flew to Heathrow, changes terminals and planes and arrive in Helsinki with a suitcase and no guitar. I had faith though, and the guitar showed up early the next morning. Anyway, my cousin Tuula drove from Porvoo to Helsinki and took me back to her family farm for the afternoon. ‘I thought you had sheep,’ I said. ‘They’re in the freezer,’ was her rejoinder. ‘Let’s eat!’ Which we did… lamb burgers.
This is where my roots lie... on streets likes this
I am an American… not a Finnish/American… but my roots are here in this ancient land… and they run deep.
The old buildings... old streets
It is Fall here… and the days are getting darker and the sky is grey… but the people are bright, and it’s always good to see family!
Kyrka
Then ancient architecture reminds me so much of my grandparents… although they were not at all sentimental about leaving to seek a new life in America!
More antiquity
cobblestones
The view from the window at the family farm
Well… that was yesterday.. today was the show at the Helsinki Hall Of Culture for Hot Tuna and Canned Heat and a fine show was had by all. Here is our set list:
Hot Tuna 41, 2013
The Acoustic Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Barry Mitterhoff
Helsinki Hall Of Culture
Helsinki, Finland
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
1. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
2. Second Chances
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Goodbye To The Blues
5. I See The Light
6. Come Back Baby
7. Vicksburg Stomp
8. How long Blues
9. Good Shepherd
10. That’ll Never Happen No More
11. I Am The Light Of This World
12. I Know You Rider
Well that’s about it for now. Tomorrow we’re off to Tampere to play the Tampere Concert Hall.
For me… it’s bed time now.
Kiitos!
I have a friend that has one eye and he is one of the best English dart shooters in the country. @Barbara Jacobs
@johno
At least it’s a very good eye!
@Barbara Jacobs
@John B
thanks, but I really do have only one good eye
Thank you for the astonishing concert in Tampere Hall Finland. And I still have the guitar from Jorma’s guitar clinic in Kaustinen Folk music Festival 2003 with Jorma’s autograph…
Jorma, did you get back from Finland – or you decide you were staying.
Great Jorma. Family is everything, must be great to see old family. Have a good one, looking forward to seeing you in NY in November… Tough call for me… acoustic or ‘lectric. Oy.
The concert in Tampere yesterday (30.10.) was great! We enjoyed a lot to get “Canned Tuna” in live here in Finland! Great music and wellcome back soon!
pretty awesome. Visiting the old country and getting to do what you love best. And just think you’ll be in s.f. in just a few days. That’s a lot of traveling!
Have you considered getting a seat for the guitar? I had so many lost luggage issues a few years ago that we decided a particular airline was an acronym for Don’t Expect your Luggage To Arrive.
Possibly the most memorable meal I ever had ANYWHERE was in Porvoo at the Wanha Laamanni restaurant – reindeer filet stuffed with smoked salmon – mmmm! Hope you can go there sometime..have a great time in Suomi!
Thank you, Jorma! Finally I saw you live. Your music is superb and your career is wonderful. Keep on playing!
Thanks for the show yesterday! I don’t get it how you guys and be still so sharp after 40+ years at it! I thoroughly enjoy reading your online diary, keep at it please.
Good eye on your part as well johno. I looked at that picture and all I saw was the angel on the left and completely missed the “cloud angel ” on the right. Happy to hear that you are not hyphenated Jorma.
johno: It looks like a cloud. Good catch, good eye for detail, johno.@johno
Jorma: “This is where my roots lie…”:
Another painterly photograph, complete with perspective.
Jorma, don’t you miss the old country. I just love the peace and quiet and such a slow pace. Just love the pics – the old streets. Down those streets your ancestors walked(never thinking that a cousin would someday play a mean “Walkin Blues” in America. In the pix from the family – the angel – in that next window is that a cloud or a reflection. Because when I was in England 2 years ago I saw a cloud that was a perfect angel. Unbelievable, if I didn’t see it. Safe home.
Dear Jorma,
I love the pictures of your homeland, and I’m so glad your guitar showed up!
Enjoy your time with your family .
Safe travels
Cyndy
Hot Tuna – one of my very favourite dishes!
This time (for obvious reasons) the portion was on the smaller side, but the presentation was picture-perfect, and those busting-out flavours, the rich textures, and ahhh! every little savoury nuance told me that them guys in the kitchen, with their fiery fingers and their fiery hands, they know their stuff. And the sound-man, too. A very tasty treat all round!
Big thanks and hats-off to Jorma, Jack, and Barry for coming over and bringing us a little of the Good Reverend Gary’s “Light” in this gathering autumnal dark.
Kiitos teille kaikille!
I was flying back to Atlanta on a DC-8, 12 years old, and I had an arm in a cast due to a broken wrist. Guy next to me starts talking, turns out he’s a road manager for Canned Heat, and a fellow road manager also has a broken wrist.
It was a fun flight, he gave me a comic book featuring the band drawn as different critters. Alan Wilson, sitting one row ahead of me, was Blind Owl in the book.
Saw Bob Hite when he landed, dude was huge. And about 2 months later, Blind Owl was dead of a nembutal overdose in Topanga Canyon. Wish I would have talked to the guy.
Family is always cool! Sounds like a great trip. How about you guys make another one to Australia? That WOOD be good.
Hey Jorma…sounds like a typical international trip. Glad guitar made it.