Getting ready to ride out...
Kind friends all gathered ’round, there’s something I would say:
That what brings us together here has blessed us all today.
Love has made a circle that holds us all inside;
Where strangers are as family, loneliness can’t hide.
You must give yourself to love if love is what you’re after;
Open up your heart to the tears and laughter,
And give yourself to love, give yourself to love.
Kate Wolf… Give Yourself To Love
Jerry, Izze, Dad and John get ready to leave the Ranch for Brooklyn
Foto by Brett Thompson
Life is a funny old dog… and sometimes a busy one. Friday of last week, Vanessa, Izze, John Hurlbut, Jerry Sullivan, Myron Hart and I hopped into our rented van and set of for New York.
The girls en route...
We had planned a surgical strike into the heart of Brooklyn where Barry Mitterhoff, Michael Falzarano and I were going to play a Marjorie Thompson fundraiser hosted by the Raccoon Lodge at Our Lady Of Perpetual Help. We were joined by some of Marjorie’s (and our) dear friends, Bob Doherty, Paul Karp and Greg Franklin who played a beautiful gaggle of songs to kick off the evening’s festivities.
Setting Bob, Paul, Greg and Barry up...
We were all here to not only honor Marjorie’s lasting memory, but to also raise money and help publicize The Rapunzel Project. Check this out… We got a chance to meet the amazing women behind this great project and, thanks to our brothers and sister of the Raccoon Lodge, raise a nice sum of money for the cause.
Follow the yellow brick road... either way...
My family rarely goes with me on the road, so to spend three days with friends and family in my world was a rare treat! Our hotel was right by the Brooklyn Bridge so I got a chance to walk across it for the first time. Imagine that… all the years coming to New York and I had never walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. Nice… very nice!
The Freedom Tower
The girls discuss the cuisine...
Two old birds waiting for the next big thing!
Foto by Izze Kaukonen
I have known the guys and gals of the Raccoon Lodge for quite a while… they love having a good time… and they love doing good works. People came from all over the United States for this show… bless them… but the sense I community I have always felt in Brooklyn was palpable. Saturday night we were all one.
The people came from all around... just to hear that crazy sound!
Like a high school dance...
Foto by Phil Jacobs
Here is our set list:
Jorma Kaukonen & Michael Falzarano
Kaukarano
Featuring Barry Mitterhoff
Marjorie Thompson Memorial Fundraiser
The Rapunzel Project
Our Lady Of Perpetual Help
Brooklyn, New York
With Thanks To The Raccoon Lodge
June 6, 2015
First Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Ain’t In No Hurry
4. The Other Side Of The Mountain
5. Walkin’ Blues
6. Where There’s Two There’s Trouble
7. In My Dreams
8. Candy Man
9. Barbeque King
10. I Know You Rider
Second Set:
1. Been So Long
2. Keep On Trucking Mama
3. Come Back Baby
4. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
5. Whining Boy Blues
6. How Long Blue
7. That’ll Never Happen No More
8. Good Shepherd
9. Bar Room Crystal Ball
10. Water Song
11. Encore 1: Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
12. Encore 2: Genesis
At this point in my life, people are passing at an ever increasing rate… and that’s just how it is. We hold them in our hearts and delight in the waves that they have made in the pond of life. Perhaps the ripples will subside in time… perhaps not. We shall see. As for Marjorie, her trials are over… but her memory will abide in my heart and in the hearts of her family and all who knew her. She would have loved the fundraiser, and she would have hated being lionized. That was her!
Our deepest collective gratitude to all those who made this event possible, including you all who came to Brooklyn from the corners of the earth.
Thanks all… deepest and profoundest thanks!
Love is born in fire; it’s planted like a seed.
Love can’t give you everything, but it gives you what you need.
And love comes when you’re ready, love comes when you’re afraid;
It’ll be your greatest teacher, the best friend you have made.
So give yourself to if love is what you’re after;
Open up your hearts to the tears and laughter,
And give yourself to love, give yourself to love.
Give Yourself To Love By Kate Wolf
The road home at Sideling Hill...
I will always cherish the memory of Marjorie Thompson and the Fundamentals of Fingerstyle Guitar clinic I had at Fur Peace in March 2009 that she and yourself hosted, Jorma. Thanks for all the great music!
Hey Jorma,
It truly was an outstanding night..I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing Marjorie but the love that was in the air that night was just amazing. She must have been an incredible person and a true friend to many. Paul and crew did a great Vicksburg Stomp. It was great seeing you with Barry and Mike again also. Great set list and thanks again….That was a show I will always remember. Your ol pal Jerry is a hoot too… nice picture of the two of you.
Have a great time in Hawaii and safe travels..
Aloha
Hogan
🙂
Beautiful tribute.
@Brett
Love Ernie and Grace! My favorite is “Time to Go.” Considering that Marjorie wrote it about the father of a friend who was dying makes it almost unbearably poignant.
“She would have loved the fundraiser, and she would have hated being lionized. That was her!”
I am assuming that it is Stern who made that comment above about what Jorma said. He hit the naile on the head. Marjorie would have loved the fundraising for something she believed in so deeply. The would have cringed to know that it was a memorial in her honor. I think it is one of the reasons that we all loved her so much.
I don’t even know where to begin about this night. I have lost friends in the past and family as well. Marjorie’s death hit me particularly hard. I think it was because her life force was so strong. When I would talk to her and hear about all the things she was juggling; I was in awe. How did she do it! And when she did something, she didn’t do it half assed. She mastered it. Her loss just broke my heart…
I was so proud to be a part of this night. The FPR is indeed a family. Seeing Jorma, Vanessa, Izze, Hurl, Myron, Phil… just a beautiful tribute to what they have created. The FPR is an island of peace in a world of insanity.
Thanks Jorma for giving your time and your talent. It was so much fun to see you with Michael again. Brought back a lot of good memories of countless shows. Michael and Claudia’s hearts are as big as can be. They are beautiful people as well.
Having Alexis, Griffin and Ariel there made the night even more special. Marjorie kvelled all the time about her kids and with good cause. They will be her enduring legacy and they do her proud!
And while we haven’t announced it yet as the final total is not in; we will have raised an impressive amount for The Rapunzel Project and The Cold Caps Assistance Projects.
Doing charity work is doing G-d’s work! Giving back is one of the treasures in life. Giving meaning to Marjorie’s passing has helped to ease the empty feeling when I realize that I can’t pick up the phone and hear her voice.
Love you all and thanks to the Ohio crew and to the amazing new friends at the Raccoon Lodge.
Yo Paul… and you would be assuming wrong… that would be me… the old Jormster talking to Alexis.
@Brett
HOW Great…(someday I’ll figure out this new fangled computer stuff)
Sounds like it was an evening to be remembered!
I’ll be firing up some Marjorie CD’s tonight…”Ernie and Grace” is one of my faves….(Marjorie gave me a lesson on that song at FPR a few years ago)
Amen!
“She would have loved the fundraiser, and she would have hated being lionized.”
So very true! I was thinking the same thing.
Thanks so much for all who were involved putting the evening together. One of those events that gives you reaffirmation of how great the Fur Peace Family is.
and you rocked out with Martha………..YOU FORGOT TO MENTION THAT….oy!~
Genesis was terrific. I had a great time Saturday night , thanks so much to everyone involved in the planning and running of this show. Just like last years show i thought the Raccoons did a terrific job in every respect. Everyone there was warm and friendly that I must say it felt good to be there with everyone.
OLPH was the church my grandmother attended 50 years ago – she lived a couple blocks away on 62nd St. I remember many Sundays going there as a little boy. In my wildest dreams I never thought you would come there and play. Thanks for playing Genesis.
Continued from above….. that recommended CD is titled “Good, Fast & Cheap”. A good listen. Marjorie does a cover of the Beatles, “She Loves You”. Beautiful!!
Thanks, Jorma, to you and everyone who put this show together. It was a beautiful event and although I never knew Marjorie I’m sure you did her proud. It was a great meeting place for friends that I haven’t seen in years. We love having you play in Brooklyn. You actually played at our bar, Wavelengths, back in 1983 and you are always welcome and loved in this neighborhood.
Having heard many people witness to the depth of character of Marjorie Thompson, I really wanted to be part of this great event. I traveled up from Philly and felt like I landed at the EPCOT Country called BROOKLYN. It was kinda surreal. It seemed to be a very relaxed anticipatory audience. The Raccoon Lodge started the events by playing the theme song to The Honeymooners. That was the first head rush of the night. Both sets and the opening act were awesome. Heard some songs that escaped me for awhile….Been so long, Whining Boy,Genesis. I did have the privilege of meeting two of Marjorie’s children. Their mother certainly had the right to be proud of these two wonderful young adults. Her daughter recommended her Mother’s favorite CD. It exhibits her skills as a musician and what a lovely, melodic voice. Could go on…Thanks for letting me share. Your Pal
.
Looks like some tough acoustics at that gig. But I’ll bet a lot of loving heartbeats mellowed it all just right.
Jorma this sounds like a great charity and good cause in memory of a great lady. I Work on Saturday nights but other nights off I would be there for the fun. Do you know that it was raining the day and night before and the morning was very cloudy until 11:20 am when the sun came out to warm and greet you?