Firstly, I would like to sadly note the passing of Johnny Winters in Switzerland last night. At 70 for Johnny, I consider that way, way too young. Rest in peace brother… your fiery fingers are in that heavenly band now.
As for me and the Tuna Gang, we soldier on… and here is our set list from last night.
Hot Tuna 54, 2014
The Acoustic Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Barry Mitterhoff
Space II
Evanston, Illinois
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
First Set:
1. True Religion
2. Heart Temporary
3. Hesitation Blues
4. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
5. More Than My Old Guitar
6. Mama Let Me Lay It On You
7. Second Chances
8. Prohibition Blues
9. River Of Time
10. Uncle Sam Blues
11. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. Been So Long
2. Children Of Zion
3. Izze’s Lullaby
4. Keep On Trucking Mama
5. Sea Child
6. Full Go Round
7. Walking Blues
8. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
9. 99 Year Blues
10. I Am The Light Of This World
11. That’ll Never Happen No More
12. Encore: Water Song
Another really great night at Space… we look forward to coming back.
On to Milwaukee…
@Andy
Thanks
Looks like a nice town to walk around in before the show.
Hope not to intimate hard for me to sit during a show…lol
@rich l.
no worries Rich – sounds like you are a ‘tie’ dyed in the wool Tuna nut, just like the rest of us. I didn’t even read your discertation, but was responding to what bob b wrote.
One month after the Bergen PAC electric show, I’m back up here,85 miles from home(Philly), watching a Peter Gabriel Genesis cover band called The Musical Box. GREAT S#!t!! No disrespect intended as their is no other I would rather see than Jorma & Co, but I wore their albums out too. YOUR PAL
@jim hitchcock
Funny Jim. What if 6 were 9?
@johno
As Jorma sings in Children of Zion, “Amen!” And that’s a shout from way back in the amen corner. By no means was I remotely suggesting Hot Tuna ever gives less than110% Hell, three concerts in four nights, where they played over 20 songs in each one?! Are you kidding me?
Jorma even had his son, Zach join them for the song “Been So Long.” He acquitted himself admirably, and brought down the average age of the group from 68.3 to 55.
I drove up to Milwaukee yesterday – great show with even a “Danger, danger Will Robinson, Aliens approaching” moment. Suffice it to say, I believe Jorma remarked after the excitement had died down, “I survived Altamont, I guess I could survive this.
And for goodness sake Tuna fans, start buying some raffle tickets!-there’s a lot on the line as Jorma explained last night! I went out to buy one, but they were $20 and the guy wouldn’t sell me one for $10 and a canister of Jack’s “Double Dose.” My sister said she saw a girl who bought a ticket, which coupled with the ticket they sold at Space, gives her about a 50% chance of winning the Barbecue jacket. (By the way, Jorma nailed Barbecue King last night – that was some good barbecue Jorma.)
Waiting for the song list to reflect on what I heard. Thanks for an awesome show!
Tuna Gang…
I came up from Colorado for both nights at Space and was blown away!
Both shows were simply exquisite… Tuesday night I introduced a very special friend of mine to you and she loved the experience…
Your music has formed the major part of the “soundtrack of my life” since 1976.
Thank You!!! Thank You all for infusing this world your special blend of musical beauty!
Praying you release both nights…
Jorma, Jack and Barry give it 100 percent each and every night they play. They don’t leave anything on every stage they grace. Year in year out they are one of the hardest working bands there is. I don’t care what they play. I feel really blessed just to know them.
I was told there’d be no math.
1/2 Jorma, 1/3 Jack, 1/4 Barry?? Does that mean only 1 of them was giving more than 100 percent.
Hot Tuna stamps his authority on the FPR jersey as powers away from friction to stretch lead with final stage victory.
Rock Them High Tonight Tuna!
Steady As She Goes Jorma!
Jorma, I have a great picture of you and Jefferson Airplane at my grandfather’s house (Les Baxter) in bel air back in the early 60’s. I’m a singer / songwriter and it would be great to connect with an old friend of my Grandfather’s. I would also sincerely appreciate any advice you could offer on my music. I’m trying to be the best songwriter I can. Thanks for listening! TomEaton.Bandcamp.com Tom 760-525-2930
Heard of the passing of Johnny Winter yesterday and it got me thinking. I saw him in Indianapolis, IN many years ago and I can still picture him on stage really diggin’ what he was doing and smiling broadly! Time marches on… We will be seeing HT in Minneapolis, MN this Tuesday. My 21 year old daughter is coming with my wife and I. It is going to be great, a real family affair. Thank you Jorma for the music you and the guys make. Your longevity is a testimony to your friendship and good attitude toward each other. Keep on truckin’ brother!
If you guys got some time and have not done so already Jorma, I highly suggest visiting the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee. I think you’ll like it.
I can’t wait to see Hot Tuna tonight at the Pabst. I’m bringing my 8 y.o. daughter this time for the experience.
Tall Jim
Internal conflict and considerable consternation; those were the two feelings that kept gnawing away at me as my car headed south down Rt 83, instead of east towards Evanston Wednesday night. I had to get my daughter to the airport by 4:30 Thursday morning, and opted for sleep over my heart’s true desire – another Hot Tuna show. Pragmatism prevailed over Alexander Pope’s observation, “The ruling passion, being what it will, the ruling passion conquers reason still.”
I thought Tuesday’s performance was one of the best Hot Tuna shows I’ve ever had the privilege of attending. 21 songs over a course of almost three hours, and I still was begging for more when all was said and done. You want to know how prolific Hot Tuna is? I suggested 25 songs a few days back for their consideration and they only played one! And I was still blown away. I had totally forgot what a great song Serpent of Dreams is. And i was particularly amused by that “Amen” song. Sing it brother!
Hot Tuna led off with “Too many years,” a song and album that I was unfamiliar with. I intend to buy it, if for no other reason, (and their are lots of good reasons besides), than to hear Jorma’s version of Rev Gary Davis’s “Say no to the devil.” Ha !-easier said then done. There were a few other songs I had to back track and look up what album they were from. I think that’s one of the reason’s I enjoyed Tuesday’s show so much – discovering some new songs and listening to some hidden gems. I also realized how many Hot Tuna albums I have!
Another reason was Jorma’s guitar. I saw Hot Tuna about two years back at The old Town School of Folk Music, and I just can’t recall Jorma dominating that night like he did on Tuesday. Don’t get me wrong. I had a smile on my face that entire evening also – but for some reason I recall thinking that show was more 1/3 Jorma, 1/3 Jack and 1/3 Barry. To put it in mathematical terms, Tuesday;’s show was 1/2 Jorma, 1/3 Jack and 1/4 Barry. Jorma’s guitar was on fire Tuesday – that pickin’ was high upon a mountain top.
I recall a blogger saying she was disappointed with a show around the same period of time as the Old Town School of Folk Music show, noting that Hot Tuna mailed in a performance. I remember Jorma taking serious offense to that critique. But after watching Tuesdays performance, I can sort of see where she was coming from. Jorma, Jack and Barry are all world class musicians, but with the game on the line you want the ball in Michael Jordan’s hands. Jorma put on a clinic Tuesday – with his guitar and voice. 73 my ass! Actually, the whole band put on a jamming clinic. I think i recall Jerry Garcia once noting that the Grateful Dead batted about .300 Jorma hit for the cycle on Tuesday, no other way to put it.
Of course, what’s Hot Tuna without the synergistic effect of Jorma and Jack. The other septuagenarian in the group, Happy Jack was also in rare form. That is when he wasn’t upsetting the flow of the on stage banter by trying to turn on his mike. He was more loquacious than usual, adding considerably to on stage conversations. I recall Jorma saying this was Jack’s first performance at Space in Evanston. Although he did note that Jack has spent a lot of time in Space. There’s just something about the way Jack can breathe life into a song. As always, he takes Hot Tuna’s songs to another stratosphere.
Some of the loudest ovation’s of the night were when Jack went ballistic on his base, turning it every which way but loose. It’s like the entire audience is saying “Where’s Casady going now?” His riff at the end of Good Sheperd brought the crowd to it’s feet. He absolutely hammered it. He killed it. It was the equivalent of a five on one beat down. With the audience in a frenzy, Jorma paused for a moment before singing, “If you want to get to heaven….” That song was definitely a small slice of heaven on earth.
Barry was standing by the souvenir stand at the end of the show, sporting his spiffy new hair cut – literally “his hair was perfect.” I went up to him and said “You fit Hot Tuna like a glove.” I can’t imagine Hot Tuna without him right now; he adds so much sound on the variety of miniature instruments he plays. There were times in the show where I just closed my eyes. I think it’s then that you notice his considerable contributions to the songs. More synergism. Barry seemed to go hog wild when Jack would take off on one of his take no prisoners bass assaults. Those were precious moments when Jorma just seemed to hang on and enjoy the ride!
Jorma told a story about receiving a gift around the time of 9/11. After poking at the package, trying to determine if it was an IED, he discovered some unknown donor had gifted him with a ukelele. Jorma said he couldn’t play it, but Tiny Tim, err, Barry sure could. I can’t recall what song he played it on, but suffice it to say I have never heard a ukelele sound so good. Tip toeing through the tulips with Hot Tuna – who’d a thunk it?
I was on the road a lot on Wednesday morning, praying for a Hot tuna song to come on WXRT. All the songs that were played that day sounded cacophonous to me. Even talk radio offered no refuge. It was like a moment out of the Clash’s song, “Hitsville in Uk” – you know, where the radio hasn’t sounded good all week. I wondered if anyone else who attended the show had similar feelings. In a way, I guess I’m glad the radio station’s don’t play Hot tuna songs – they probably wouldn’t be playing a venue like Space if they did. Do you realize how fortunate we all are to see Hot Tuna in a juke joint like that?
I’ll have to pull out some of my old cassette’s I guess, but even they won’t capture the magic of a Hot Tuna show like Tuesdays. Songs tend to take on a life of their own when these guys jam. Will we be fortunate enough to see them in their 80’s – as they say, “The Good Lord willin’ and the crick don’t rise.”
And now another moment of internal conflict and considerable consternation; do I fight rush hour traffic and drive up to Pabst Theatre in Milwaukee tomorrow night? Saying no to Hot Tuna is almost as hard as saying no to the devil! Watching these three virtuoso’s in their prime is a blessing.
There were references last night to this tour being Jack’s first times at Space. Man, I could have sworn HT proper has played there before. The other shows at Space were Jorma/Barry shows? We are usually at the Chicago area gigs. But I thought the playing last night was so strong throughout. Just exceptional playing from all concerned. Grateful to have been there! Safe travels.
Looking forward to seeing Jorma, Jack, and Barry at the beautiful Pabst Theater in Milwaukee tomorrow night. I saw them for the first time in Madison a year and a half ago. I knew then that it wouldn’t be my last Hot Tuna concert. Oh yeah…..I got front row seats!
Saw Johnny last 10 years ago. Will never forget the Together Again show in the ’70’s.
Progressive Blues Experiment needs to get played tonight.
Jorma, thanks for noting the passing of a great gentleman of the blues. It was Johnny’s music that gave me a life long love affair with the blues. I had the pleasure of seeing him many times over the years, and he never disappointed, even in those lean years. Just being in the same room with the man was a privilege. God Bless Paul Nelson for I believe he saved Johnny’s life back in those lean times and gave us all another 10+ years to enjoy Johnny’s genius.
You will luv Helsinki in Hudson. Great venue, intimate and excellent food.
RIP Johnny, thank you for all the years of great music and memories of playing at the Lone Star in NYC.
Walkin Blues and Seachild in the same set…WOW…I got nothin to say…lol
Must have been a great show.
Hopefully going to catch the show in August at the Hudson, hope its still on the set list…..
Take Care
Hogan
🙂
Great to see Walkin Blues back in the set list. My last recollection was with Bob Weir at the 70th Birthday Bash at the Beacon. Anyone else have access to the archives? I would love to see that song back in the rotation both Acoustic and Electric.
Jorma, that is some setlist – lots of great songs including Walkin Blues and Death Don’t Have No Mercy – RIP Johnny.
yea that beacon show , tuna played first floored the late comers. johnny was so loud it hurt. Gregg s.i.n.y.
Rest in peace John. You were fantastic, and I’ll be listening to you until it’s my time. Joey H: I was at that Beacon show with Jorma opening for Johnny.
So sad about Johnny…
Awesome show last night! Thanks, for 40+ years of making great music
For me, it’s Johnny, Jimi, Jorma, & oh yeah, Zappa. After HT, Johnny has been my go to when it comes to music since the 70’s. His shows in the mid 80’s were hard to describe. An incredible combination of speed, creativity, & soul.
Seeing Jorma & Johnny split bill at the Beacon in the early 80’s was an unforgettable treat.
R.I.P. He will be missed.
Jorma, I’m thrilled to see the return of “Walkin’ Blues” to the set list. You’ve always rocked that number hard. Please keep it close by.
My sadness for the passing of Johnny is surpassed only by my gratitude for the continuing greatness of Hot Tuna!
Thank you Jorma.
Glad to have seen him last March in Tarrytown, probably his last appearance with brother Edgar. Looked frail but still a player.
So sad about Johnny.
Got to see him play with Muddy in London – a gig that made you happy to be alive.
Saw him again fairly recently. He wasn’t too well, but his playing was still on fire.
So long Johnny. Thanks for the music.