So we got home from the Tuna Tour on Sunday a week ago had a nice week at home with the girls and the critters and then off to San Francisco for the Why Hunger Benefit at the Viansa Winery in Sonoma. We got to San Francisco in time to fight traffic from the airport to get to Japan Town an some dinner.
Where the Mifune used to be on the bridge...
Foto by Phil Jacobs
I ate noodles at the Mifune for over thirty years, and then like so many things… it was gone. I have no complaints about the food here though!
Justin and I peruse the menues
Foto by Phil Jacobs
It’s a different scene here… but the food was still great!
Makes me hungry looking at it right now in Ohio!
Foto by Jorma Kaukonen
Saturday at noon we all drove up to the Viansa Winery in Sonoma to meet Jack.
Vineyards as far as the eye can see.
Foto by Jorma Kaukonen
These folks were so fortunate the fires did not do their fearsome work here. It was a beautiful late fall afternoon in the wine country.
Too bad it wasn't a great view...
Foto by Jorma Kaukonen
Having spent two decades in Northern California it is now always a pleasure to return as a wide eyed tourist. Can’t say I miss the taxes and the gas prices though. That said, can’t complain about the vibe. Menasha who has been so generous to us in so many ways invited her friend David the Tea Man from Santa Cruz to welcome us with his amazing teas and a very spiritual ceremony.
Straighten up and fly right... this is a 17 year old tea!
Foto by Jorma Kaukonen
What an experience this was on so many levels. I can hardly wait to visit his shop in Santa Cruz the next time we work there!
Amazing...
Foto by Jorma Kaukonen
As the show got rolling, Jack Casady and Tony Saunders played a beautiful double bass version of ‘Imagine.’ Wow! Then after some more great music, Hot Tuna hit the stage for a 90 minute set.
Imagine
Foto by Jorma Kaukonen
Hot Tuna 62, 2017
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
Imagine There’s No Hunger
Benefit
Viansa Winery
Sonoma, California
December 16, 2017
1. Been So Long
2. Living Just For You
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. Talkin’ Bout You
5. Wolves & Lambs
6. 99 Year Blues
7. Can’t Get Satisfied
8. Bowlegged Woman
9. Sea Child
10. Trial By Fire
11. Roads and Roads &
12. Hit Single # 1
13. Funky #7
There were many old friends there and we made some new as well.
Jorma, Pete Sears and Jack Casady
I spent over a decade on the road with Pete. What a great musician and a wonderful man! Speaking of old friends. Bob Steeler was there as well and we got to be part of a double drum jam with Justin Guip and Bob.
A thing of beauty
Foto by Jorma Kaukonen
And then it was over… back to the hotel at the airport by 0100 and at the airport by 0630.
Walking to the gate
Foto by Jorma Kaukonen
Life has sure been busy, but so far so good… and who would want it any other way! As for the YoYo… reference Thomas Pynchon’s V.
Doug what hotel did you and your brother stay at when you went to Interlocking?@doug mlyn
Always a pleasure to see Bob I’m sure. Justin looks like he is deep in thought on that menu.. I heard the version of Imagine and I thought it was excellent, John would have been proud.
Glad to hear the show was a success, a lot of good people behind it.
Looking forward to seeing you guys in a couple of months again, enjoy the holidays at home.
🙂
The Sonoma show was fantastic! And there was a great vibe in the room! And for a great cause! Living in Ventura we definitely had some unfortunate things in common with the folks that live in Sonoma.
Good food, good company, good music. How does it get any better? Then, a cryptic message referencing an author I’ve heard of and a book I haven’t. I’m gonna try and figure it out, and I won’t use Cliff’s Notes, Perfesser, promise.
Plainfield in da house! (Bob Steeler)
Happy Birthday ! Will be seeing and listening to you and John on 1/26 for soup and sounds
P.S.
Steeler and Justin joining together “for a double drum jam.” You know the wheels of the rumor mill will slowly start turning over that comment.
Hey Jorma John B here. I can only Imagine what it was like to hear Jack and Tony play together. It must have been wonderful to see and hear. When I see you and Jack together and Jack takes a solo I watch your reaction to what Jack does up there , and I can see that you are probably his biggest fan and just as amazed as we are at what he does.
May God bless and keep you always and I hope to see you soon…….