You can't make this up...
Well, it’s been a hectic three days. Haven’t had a chance to do any updating until this morning. What a great series of concerts we just had. This little entry started in Osaka.
The boys and girl at FM802
We were on the radio with Kamasami Kong and his fearless sidekick. We got to chew the fat and play some tunes.
Live in the studio
We sure enjoyed talking with the folks at the Cocolo scene… and then it was off to Janus for the show here in Osaka.
Onstage at Janus
Foto by Doug Allsopp
Here is our set list:
Hot Tuna 39, 2014
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
Janus
Osaka, Japan
Monday, April 28, 2014
First Set:
1. That’ll Never Happen No More
2. Children Of Zion
3. Prohibition Blues
4. Trial By Fire
5. Full Go Round
6. Come Back Baby
7. I See The Light
8. How Long Blues
9. Mama Let Me Lay it On You
10. Things That Might h\Have Been
11. I Know You Rider
Second Set:
1. Hesitation Blues
2. Second Chances
3. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
4. Sea Child
5. Good Shepherd
6. San Francisco Bay Blues
7. River Of Time
8. Barbeque King
9. I Am The Light Of This World
10. I Know You Rider
11. Encore: Candy Man
Pickin' in Osaka
Foto by Doug Allsopp
Great solo, Jack!
Foto by Doug Allsopp
Signing a few items for our Japanese friends
Great time in Osaka, and then it was off to Kyoto.
Hello Kyoto
I love this town too!
Soba... my personal favorite!
I’m a big noodle freak, as you may have guessed… and I love them all, but I think Soba is my favorite. I always go to the Mifune when I’m San Francisco. I’ve been eating Tanin soba there for almost 30 years.
Doug and Myron
A man’s gotta eat!
That's my boy!
After our noodle delight, we walked around a little bit before heading over to Tako Tako.
Shopping, shopping!
Now Taku Taku is a legendary Japanese venue. It is venerable and respected. It celebrates its 40th year in operation and it was an honor to play there.
Jack and I with the Big Dog of Tako Tako
Here is our set list:
Hot Tuna 40, 2014
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
Taku Taku
Kyoto, Japan
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
First set:
1. True Religion
2. Re-Enlistment Blues
3. Izze’s Lullaby
4. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
5. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
6. Living In The Moment
7. Trial By Fire
8. Hesitation Blues
9. Come Back Baby
10. S.F. Bay Blues
11. How Long Blues
Second set:
1. Candy Man
2. Goodbye To The Blues
3. Whining Boy Blues
4. Good Shepherd
5. That’ll never Happen No More
6. Water Song
7. Dime For Beer
8. Keep On Trucking Mama
9. I’ll Be All Right Some Day
10. Uncle Sam Blues
11. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed And Burning
12. Encore: Embryonic Journey
As I look around this great hundred year old building that used to b a saki warehouse, I see the names of so many greats who played not only here, but also at the Fur Peace Ranch.
Gate... may he rest in peace!
Yeah… Gatemouth graced our stage at the Ranch. What a guy!
Go Bo
Bo Diddly never played the FPR, but Jack and I saw him at the National Guard Armory in Silver Springs, Maryland in 1958.
Happy 40th Anniversary Taku Taku!
Our name in lights... sort of...
Then it was off to Nagoya and Tokuzo.
Always Springtime at the bar...
Here is our set List:
Hot Tuna 39, 2014
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
Janus
Osaka, Japan
Monday, April 28, 2014
First Set:
1. That’ll Never Happen No More
2. Children Of Zion
3. Prohibition Blues
4. Trial By Fire
5. Full Go Round
6. Come Back Baby
7. I See The Light
8. How Long Blues
9. Mama Let Me Lay it On You
10. Things That Might h\Have Been
11. I Know You Rider
Second Set:
1. Hesitation Blues
2. Second Chances
3. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
4. Sea Child
5. Good Shepherd
6. San Francisco Bay Blues
7. River Of Time
8. Barbeque King
9. I Am The Light Of This World
10. I Know You Rider
11. Encore: Candy Man
Another thoroughly enjoyable night for the Tuna Guys!
Jack holds court...
Now we’re off to Tokyo again and our discussion and concert at Tokyo Women’s Plaza Hall in Shibuya and then a final show at Thumbs Up in Yokohama.
Onward. What’s for dinner?
Of course:
Bless Jorma, Jack and Hot Tuna.
I never said anything other than that.@John B
I never said anything other than that.@John B
No “drama”, just reality.@Joey Hudoklin
Amen
No matter where or who . God bless Hot Tuna .
Hot Tuna gives their all no matter or who they are playing for.
Dear Jorma
Thank you for coming back to the place where you played 27 years ago – “Takutaku”, Kyoto,
and I’m so proud to be one of those who were at both of the shows.
I have already started to look forward to your coming back again – can’t wait for another 27 years !
BTW, I often went to the Mifune, too, when I was staying in San Francisco back in the late ’70s and Umeboshi soba was my favorite.
Oh, the drama.
Sometimes enough is enough.
It’s not about me.
Thank you, Jack & Jorma, everyone in the Tuna family, & the people of Japan who love Hot Tuna.
I’m grateful to be able to hear & share about it.
Why would you stop going to a place that is so beautiful and has fans that really dig you. Good food, good people and good vibes. Keep on Rockin’.
So, anyhow:
I never take any day of my life for granted.
My dearest friend, Vassar Clements was born on April 25th, 1928;
and he passed, just one day before my birthday, on August 16th, 2005.
He became very ill.
He always spoke to me (as best he could) on phone-calls;
every day of his life/my teenage and then adult life; at 12 midnight.
My phone would ring and I answered, always knowing that it was Vassar calling me, from wherever he was.
If I was not actually there/wherever with Vassar, he would call me at 12-midnight, each and every night.
The last time that I spoke to him, Vassar said to me:
“I’m going to hold on and call you on your Birthday, as I have always done, throughout the years.”
He almost made it.
Perhaps, I would not have made it, to that next Birthday.
And, that’s what I’m talking about.
Just sayin’.
He lived a good life, then he was gone.
Jorma:
I traveled for my music business, over 4 decades.
I just hate airline travel, especially overseas.
Gotta’ get up from my seat and walk, up and down the aisle.
Even just checking-in at the airport is a hassle for me:
take off my shoes;
get patted-down by the Security Agents;
worry about what’s in my carry-on luggage.
OY!
It just got to the point, at my age (55-years) , that I just can not take it
anymore!
You and Jack have a few more years, on me.
So, I still say:
Every Hot Tuna overseas travel to gigs, should be valued as THE BEST that you guys can give to each audience, wherever you go; especially in Japan.
Just sayin’.
@Jorma
I can’t even deal with the airline travel flights to Japan, anymore.
I went to Australia last year and I needed a full day/night just to get myself together, in order to do the business at hand.
Just sayin’.
@Jorma
Jorma:
If you and Jack are up for it,
I say: travel to Japan EVERY YEAR!
Keep on rockin’ it.
(I know that the USA.-to-Japan airline travel is arduous.@Jorma –
@Joey Hudoklin
“T-Shirts?”:
Well, please just consider that this current Japan tour, may be their last.
Airline travel is so difficult these days (and it wasn’t exactly a great time, in the past.)
The fans in Japan are being treated to THE BEST of Jorma and Jack.
Those fans in Japan are not fortunate enough to follow Jorma/Jack/Hot Tuna,
on their travels throughout the USA.
Therefore:
Jorma and Jack are giving it all that they’ve got.
And, they’ve got a lot!
Everyone: in each Country, City and Town:
Please enjoy your Jorma/Jack/Hot Tuna, while it’s still on the menu of your lifetime.
I advise this, from my own lifetime of experience.
LOVE Jorma and Jack/Hot Tuna:
NOW!
Never take it for granted, that such great shows will always continue in perpetuity.
This will hardly be our last Japanese tour… as long as hey want us… we’ll be there…
just sayin’
Larry:
Please pick-up your camera, even if you only take photos on your phone.@Larry Petrillo
Monday the 28th set list repeated 2x.
Just an observation.
I see my personal fav, “Sea Child” is getting some play.
I can’t reminder last time I’ve heard that one.
Also, real happy to see “Whinin’ Boy Blues” make the list.
You guys are obviously having a great time, and receiving the respect and admiration that you so richly deserve.
T-Shirts? I hope to hear some of these sets someday.
I’ll put out for it, that’s for sure.
Rock on, Hot Tuna!
Jorma, So enjoying the photos from this trip. Photography was how I earned my living for 2 decades but rarely pick up a camera these days. These images really add to the enjoyment of reading your blog. Much Thanks!
Lots of great big smiles, from Jack; on this tour of Japan.@johno
Jacks second biggest smile is when he has his chopsticks full of noodles in front of his mouth – keep on rockin guys – great pics – maybe we can rock Japan.
Let it rock…
Yes — I also noticed Jack’s wide, happy smile.
As Jorma wrote In that photo caption:
“you can’t make this up.”
So, from a marketing prospective,
a.k.a Jorma’s Japan trip; so far:
Tee-shirts:
“Freaky Show”, is #1, for the greatest venue name.
“TitS Café” is #1 for the greatest eatery name.
Their tee-shirts should list their name, town in Japan and also a Japanese translation of each of those; featured on the tee-shirts.
Let it rock…
@johno
Hey Jorma,
Alot of oldie but goodies being played with your old buddy Jack…Awesome
Keep smilin…..
Hogan
🙂
Didn’t you record and play with Rick Nelson (way back) and was on the Ozzie and Harriet Show, playing with his band? Don’t know how long you did this but our lead guitar player was an admirer of yours (we all were) and showed us the 45 you were on and watched you on the show. Sure-nuf was you, short hair and all. Even had some moves going on. Am I wrong?
Cheri… You are wrong… although I used to play Ricky Nelson songs in our little high school band. We should have been so lucky to have been on national TV in the late 50’s.
Thanks for posting all the pictures and set lists. It is very much appreciated that you share this little gem of a tour that Jack and yourself are on. Can’t remember the last time I heard Dime for a Beer live and some other great gems that you have thrown in. When you said “more will be revealed.” I think that was an understatement! *smiling*
I’ve never seen Jack smile as wide as in photo outside the Tits café. Looks like the boys are having a great time. Now Barbara, that a good idea.
Jorma,
Please let us know if you go to China Town in Yokohama,it is huge and foreign.
Kenny Amanuma
Doug & Myron studying Jack for chopstick technique.
lol.
Jorma: does “TitS Café” have a tee-shirt?@jim hitchcock
Pretty sure they let their hair down where good music is concerned 🙂
Jorma – how are the Japanese Tuna fans loud and boisterous like a nyc crowd or quiet and respectful? They look like they’re going nuts.