Sunday, August 2, 2020
Here is it the second of August already. The year is slipping away, but as my mom used to say, ‘We’re still here.’ Communicating via the internet is such an interesting beast, but so unsatisfying in many ways. I don’t need to defend my wife from silly stuff she gets on the Quarantine Concert feed… she’s more than capable of putting that stuff in perspective and if necessary, defending herself. As for me, I get plenty of offensive stuff myself, but I do my best to ensure that racist, xenophobic, anti-Semitic right-wing white supremacist screeds don’t make it onto my site.
You’re welcome.
As for the Quarantine Concert Series, It’s Vanessa’s and my world and we welcome our friends of all shapes and inclinations to join us. If you think we’re yakking too much, that’s OK. You don’t have to watch the show. Listen to the record… or not. When something is free, whether or not it’s ‘value received,’ complaints are a non-starter.
There was also some badinage that went something like this: ‘I thought you were going to play a Jerry Garcia song.’ I never said I was going to play a Jerry song. I said we were going to honor him on his birthday in some small way. Jerry was my friend. I’m not a Deadhead in that way. We were colleagues each with our own creative muse to bring to the table. I have, over the years, learned Dead and Jerry music for specific projects. It takes a lot of work to do it well and that’s that. It’s not an everyday part of my world. Knowing Jerry as a man, an artist and as a friend is much more important to me than learning a song. His friendship influenced me profoundly in a lot of ways. I have missed him for some time. He would have loved being here in the station. I thought John and I did a fine job bringing him briefly to life on our little stage.
Anyway, we have so much fun doing this Concert Series we are already looking forward to #17. It’s always good to have something to look forward to no matter what.
Here’s last night’s show:
Jorma Kaukonen 20, 2020
#16 Of The Quarantine Concert Series
Fur Peace Station
Darwin, Ohio
Saturday August 1st, 2020
- True Religion
- Serpent Of Dreams
- Barbeque King
- Second Chances
- Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
- Choices with John Hurlbut
- No Woman No Cry with John Hurlbut & Vanessa Kaukonen
- Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
- San Francisco Bay Blues
- Bar Room Crystal Ball
Moving right along. We’re so lucky last night’s storm didn’t know the power out. It was a bad one. Dark and unpleasant today. No trip to the lake.
Could be worse. I’m going to string my guitar with a Zen attitude and walk the dog!
Was disappointed to see some trolling and negativity in last Sat’s live chat, but not too suprised. Compared to other artist’s webcast series, it’s been a cool vibe in the chat. Vanessa should feel no guilt in muting such folks.
You guys are doin it right, the live interaction with the positive chatters sets you apart from all the rest, it reconnects the audience in no small way. Bravo! We’ll be seein ya next year at The Capitol w/ Dawg, good times I’m sure they’ll be! Next time around though, don’t skip CT. I know the audience was small at The Garde in New London, the word just didn’t spread for that show. Nuthin like the old days, I have a fond memory of the nite you brought TGTN to The Stepney Firehouse in Monroe, CT [A Stag] I built the trophy case in the wall behind the drum kit in the pics that circulate. Looking forward to another great time tonite!
@Jorma
I’m with ya captain. We need both sides of the coin. And somethings are just plain wrong.
@Tom NY
Yep, Neil played there with the Ducks in the seventies. I also heard a killer Los Lobos show there and a number of great reggae shows – Burning Spear, Mutabaruka, etc. cool place
Outstanding, each and every show, and it just keeps getting better…
keep on trucking, please!
The PC police and cancel crowds have become out of control. And to complain about free concerts that are well thought out and done at such a high level is very disheartening. Is it OK to listen to both Neil Young and Charlie Daniels? Would it be OK to like both Lucinda Williams and Stranglehold by Ted Nugent? Can we listen to Big Legs Tight Skirt by John Lee Hooker or Brown Sugar by the Stones or Fat Bottom Girls by Queen anymore? Alice Cooper and Billy Bragg on the same mix tape? Where will this all end? Keep it up Jorma. More entertainers should be like you and just say “It’s no ones damn business who I vote for”.
“As for me, I get plenty of offensive stuff myself, but I do my best to ensure that racist, xenophobic, anti-Semitic right-wing white supremacist screeds don’t make it onto my site.”
Jorma,
I hold many conservative (right-wing) political views, but I am not anti-Semitic or a white supremacist as was stated in part of your post. It does hurt a little when it comes from someone that you respect. Conservative thought is not a bad thing. Some of the young Conservative Hosts on Breitbart Radio are very interesting and in no way hateful.
Anyway, see you next year when you perform at Penn’s Peak. I try very hard to never miss a Hot Tuna show.
Barry
Hey Barry… I never said conservative thought is a bad thing. Without going into detail which is really none of anyone’s business, I have a number of views one might find ‘conservative.’ The things I enumerated that I find offensive are not conservative in my opinion. They’re just wrong and I would find people that hold those opinions to be my enemy not that they would care, I’m sure. Hey, we get to have differing opinions, this is still America. If someone threatens me, that’s another story.
Keep smiling and hope to see you at Penn’s Peak.
Awww…What a drag that you have to field any criticism regarding these great home shows. You don’t have to justify anything. I’m sure that the overwhelming, vast majority of Tuna fans watching every Saturday night are just as thrilled as I am to have you perform live, in real time in my living room, playing and chatting as though we were all pals, casually hanging out together. Thanks again for this gift to your fans, and to hell with anyone saying anything less to you.
Thank you Jorma & Vanessa !! Love the shows ,I wouldn’t miss them for anything .I appreciate you and your wonderful team .Great version of “No women no Cry ” Vanessa is awesome .Love you guys ..Cant wait for 17..Peace & love
Jorma how about playing Killing Time In The Crystal City
that would be dandy
@Bernie
Same here, man. I don’t watch TV except for baseball, and I think it’s been more than half a century since I sat down every Saturday night at 8 to watch something.
Aside from human contact, I can’t think of anything that has helped me get through these times than the concerts.
(And The Garlic is a good one in Killington, too!)
Jorma gonna play what Jorma’s gonna play. Jorma’s gonna say what Jorma’s gonna say. That’s what I’m talkin’ about.
Dug #16. Nuf’said.
Does anyone have the offer passcode for tickets Monmouth Park
@Howard Wade
Santa Cruz…what a town. Garcia use to play the Catylst, I think Neil Young and Jorma too
@Chappy
Chappy, that is good intel… Someone should make that connection. I think that is what agents do. God bless Eric Clapton… He chose the way of the higher power and sobriety.
Is Smiles doing any new projects at the ranch?
Keep chatting, both of you, that’s what makes the evening special.
Maybe I am old but the banter during the Quarantine concerts reminds me of the Saturday and Sunday variety shows, Carol Burnett, Smothers Brothers etc. At 17 episodes you guys have lasted alot longer than many. Thanks to you Vanessa and all who work to put them on. Keep on Truckin.
Wow, I can’t believe that some dweebs feel the need to insult or criticize??? Unreal. My wife and I program our lives around the QCS. It has been a great way to spend an early Saturday evening. The music is clearly the draw, but the good-natured banter and your stories have a huge value!! It’s refreshing to see your relationship with Vanessa. Clearly lots of love and, frankly speaking, very heartwarming. We’ve seen you hundreds of times, read your book, and have had the pleasure of meeting you at the Pickle Barrel (or was it the Wobbly Barn?) in Killington Vt and also City Winery in NYC. Perhaps we are just biased, but we enjoy all of it and it is upsetting to see that this brings any bad vibes your way, even if the vibes come from dweebs!
Jorma I just want to thank you for these weekly shows.My wife & I look forward to Sat. nights.My wife is a RN at our local hospital just outside casino land in So.Jersey.Your shows bring her a break in the weekly grind & worry with this virus.
That being said I just got a note that you might be heading our way on 9-20. Hope to see it happen.
Once again THX
@nicholas p brunetto
I just want to say that I second that emotion, Nick!
And another note, yesterday, the SpaceX splashed down safely in the Gulf of Mexico. That reminded me of the splashdown concert that Hot Tuna did back in 1975. That might be a good topic to address on the next quarantine concert. Good stuff.
Some people like to be able to take a swipe at greatness…I guess that’s a side effect of Jorma’s keeping it real and being at the street level with the people…
Miss Mercy died recently…I met her through my Jimi research…She was the embodiment of the Haight-era run-away and had plenty of stories to tell about it…She knew it and made a life pursuit out of being it…Mercy pulled-off something most couldn’t and assumed the costumed role of a Zappa dolly and 60’s character like street theater, but it was real…She was LA’s presiding cultural figure for a forbidden side of life and era…She told me the original San Francisco scene was at North Beach and she was there…She said she went to the very first Signe-era Jefferson Airplane shows:
https://juicemagazine.com/home/miss-mercy-a-tribute-to-an-american-original/?fbclid=IwAR1zc9lfi5xS5kjgUh1m9idAsX4QCKon1OG-rK56ezCQmB6Np5QGpRomXzU
The quarantine music is really appreciated. Vanessa, Jorma & Team aim to please! They are GREAT! If you have ANY Complaints, Tune out…..
I’ve come back to enjoying the Reggae idiom.
First saw Toots at Westport playhouse 1976 , we were suffering from disco fatigue .
Great shows at lock-in (Jimmy Cliff x2 &Toots again .)
Missed him last Friday at caverns.
Check out Ramble on island (7 time vets),
Hot Tuna and Jorma have graced the stage ,Hurl made it to the beach one year.
Great gig w/Littlle Feat and Ramble Band &&&.
Jam on
Saturday Night Free-Streaming? What’s not to like ‘bout that!?
Jorma, you and yours are hands down the best – the end.
to jorma vanessa and crew what you are have been doing these past 16 weeks is so special thank you all from the bottom of my heart i have enjoyed every minute and you are doing everything perfect be well and safe everyone
nick brunetto
To Jorma and Vanessa and the whole crew: THANK YOU so much for the amazing gift you bestow on us every week.
To the complainers: I can’t speak for your states, but there’s no law in New Jersey requiring you to watch. So if that’s the problem, feel free to move here.
Just adding my 2-cents re: brainwashed prejudiced small brained people in this world. Very sad that you and Vanessa have to deal with it while simply trying to give people some joy.
My kids have to endure some crap, too. Unfortunately, some people have to deal with way too much – lives of abuse and inequity! I get to work with some great high school students. Some of them live in fear. Why? Worse than sad, horrendous. Our system breeds it.
But, there are also so many great people and wonderful stories. Teachers, Scientists, Doctors & Nurses. Books. And music! All, universal waves of brilliance.
As always, thank you very much!
The Quarantine Concerts have been fabulous. Saturday nights at 8 pm has been “off limits” time for anything else in our home. My wife was not familiar with your music and at first was indulging me by watching along with me. She has now become such a big fan and wouldn’t think of missing a show.. I love to watch your guitar playing to try to pick up tips and licks. The stories and banter make us feel like we are all sitting around your living room or front porch together for great music and friendship. Thank you all so much!
@Tom NY I never did get to play the Catalyst. Great club. Saw some great shows there. In particular Midnight Oil. Really loud! Totally mind blowing.
Hey Jorma,
I love the Q shows and all. But, it looks like you might be coming to NJ next month for the real deal, live and in the flesh. Yeah buddy, count me in!
I hope it works out and we can have a socially-distant evening of music and supper under the stars. 🤞🤞
Stay well.
Another fine show. Do they really keep getting better or is it just me? BTW, speaking of Mr. Garcia, back when Vanessa was putting the Psylo together, I donated a book by photographer Hank Harrison that looked like it was autographed by Jerry Garcia. I always thought it belonged in a museum or something instead of my dusty bookshelf. It was a thrill to see it on display there. m
@Howard Wade
Did you ever play the Catylst?
Yes, Healy/Dead use to play reggae at “intermissions”… I recall Englishtown, some reggae.
I actually enjoy the yacking and the Bar Room Crystal Ball encore was a real treat. Jorma, besides being a great musician, songwriter, etc. You are a great story teller and full of interesting facts that I find fascinating. I am looking forward to Number 17!
I agree there’s no place in this word for Anti-Semetic sentiment People are entitled to their own opinion. But when it leads to judging people because of their faith, nationality, color, etc. That’s where we need to draw the line.
The Grammys oughtta add a new category: Best solo performance in a pandemic livestream. That rendition of Barbecue King Saturday night would be a shoo-in. I couldn’t tell if it was your fingers blurring or smoke coming off the neck. Some very intense picking going on there. Keeps gettin’ better every week!
Guitar geek question: it looked like Jorma was using open tuning for Bar Room Crystal Ball. I would not have thought of that.
My 2 cents. I happen to like the banter between Vanessa and yourself. I think it makes the shows much more personable and different. I have not missed one yet. Thank You
Dear “With-A-Zen-Attitude;”🤪
My heartfelt Thanks to you and All. As noted by most, these Q shows are truly a gift and a blessing most especially with all that we the world are witnessing and trying to see through.
There has been so many gems, moments, and stories throughout these weeks, I hope and wonder that when this is all said and done if there could be a dvd box edited compilation!? The opening True Religion-Serpent on Jerry’s bday was such one of those moments, “like a mighty melody that rings down from the sky” as another song describes.
Thank You!
And yeah, Peace be with us All
life long tuna fan. while not an expert I think I know plenty about the music. Thanks to these Q shows now I have a better understanding about the American treasure behind the music. Damn at this point I could sit through a Q show of just dialogue! Thank you for coming into my living room every week
Hey Brother! I’m sure it’s no fun having to toss the inevitable trash that enters the site from time to time. I don’t envy the task, but I do very much appreciate it. I visit this site as a respite from the sometimes ugly news of the day.
I’m really enjoying the live stream concerts, which are FREE as you point out, and the friendly family banter makes for a much more personal experience. Thanks for what you and the crew are doing to brighten things up for the rest of us. It’s truly beautiful!
Peace to all!
I forgot to say tell John and Vanessa nice job on No Woman No Cry. A very fitting tune for Jerry and these times I thought. Nice lead too.
Captain My Captain,
Thanks once again for a great show! I know it’s a relatively small thing given all that’s happening in our world but our beloved cat Theo was undergoing emergency surgery during the show. The music helped immensely in keeping our spirits up. He made it through and is recovering at the local animal hospital.
I too was turned on to reggae indirectly by Jerry. It was at a JGB show, I think in Palo Alto, possibly the Stanford Theater or the Keystone PA, where I first heard Bob Marley and the Wailers as program music during the break. After the show me and my mates did some sleuthing to figure just what we had heard. I believe it was the Burnin’ album. This would have been 1976ish or so. A few years later I found myself in a reggae band. We played around the south bay and Santa Cruz for the next 4 or 5 years.
Keep the faith brother,
H
PS – what a bunch of BS about you not playing a GD tune. Some people are clueless.
Actually, I think Jerry Garcia – and others – would have really appreciated the 8/1/20 Jorma version of Jesse “Lone Cat” Fuller’s San Francisco Bay Blues. Kickass version!
I loved the Marty portrait.
I think you, Ms K and Mr Hurlbut could figure a way to knock Turn My Life Down out of the ballpark.
Thanks again for the shows.
Peace✌🏻️❤️Love All Ways🔥🚲🌹🙏🏻🖖🏼
Well our two cats, Tinker and Tailor, dug in, fresh catnip and were ready for Maynard and #16. They have been on the tour and havent missed a show. They are still hoping for Tom Cat Blues.
I think we all “come” to these shows for the great music, but I enjoy the talk and the stories more and more each week. Your life has been so full of experiences good and bad, and you have met so many interesting characters, I love hearing those little bits of history. Like the Jam with Jerry. I also love the insight above into your love of Jerry. You really honestly share so much of your thoughts and feelings, and that is so refreshing to hear.
Thank you, Jorma (and Vanessa and gang), for another great show and a fine tribute to Jerry.
Been really enjoying all the Q shows..This week was a real treat with 2 of them..
Sorry to hear that people are saying anything but good things for what you all are doing. I personally love the talks between you and Vanessa..So great hearing all the history.
I too have heard many Anti Semitic remarks against me in my life,luckily its was many years ago. If it were today being much older no telling how I might respond,probably get me arrested..That said be it known how much so many people love what you and the crew have been doing to help us smile with your music and stories..Keep it comin Brother…And the Reggie to celebrate Jerry being what he would want to hear was nice too..
I took my wife to a Hot Tuna show at the University of Houston – Downtown years ago and she asked me what kind of music will we hear. The most honest answer I could give was “Hot Tuna Music”. When I come to the channel I expect to hear Tuna tunes, electric, acoustic or however Jorma wants to play. I love the artist speaking, a lot of concerts you a lucky to get a few words. Suzzy Bogguss was on of the first concerts that I heard from FPS or anywhere where an artist opened up. It was fun to hear her thoughts. I treasure these shows. I love the music and the additional insights are wonderful. My wife has family across the river in Point Pleasant, and we always stop by just for the vibes.
Thanks for two great shows on Friday and Saturday nights, respectively! Hurl once again brings his soulfulness ..so cool! In follow up to your comment from Friday night about wanting to play with Eric Clapton, I’m all for seeing and hearing that show! Maybe a future quarantine bill?! I can just picture you guys on the FPR stage together doing some old blues, gospel, and reggae classics…maybe with Hurl joining in as well. I think Clapton resides right up Rte. 33 in the greater Columbus area for part of the year anyway. I‘m sure EC would think FPR is neat! Not sure how that invite would happen…maybe like “your people call his people” or something like that. I know you guys probably have some common friends…maybe they can reach out and make the connection. And since I’m so full of ideas maybe make it a fundraiser for a special charity (autism or child cancer, etc). A mini Crossroads festival at FPR. Thanks again to you and the crew for the live shows!
Really enjoy the shows. A real treat
Wow, I can’t believe anybody could have a problem with your FREE shows while we are all stuck inside. You, Vanessa, Izzy and the rest of the team at the Ranch give a lot. I’m sure the shows cost you all in many ways. If someone doesn’t like the show, change the channel. No refunds. The music, the stories and the repartee between you and Vanessa is priceless. Thanks for all you do. See you next week.
Wow, I can’t believe that anybody could have an issue with any of your FREE shows. You, Vanessa, Izzy and the rest of the team at the Ranch are giving of your time and energy to keep us entertained while we are all stuck inside. While it is free for us it must cost you in many ways. Anybody who doesn’t like it or is dissatisfied can change the channel. No refunds. The music, the stories, the repartee between you and Vanessa is priceless. Thanks for all you do!
Great show last night, it’s been a real pleasure to have these to look forward to on Saturday nights. A great relief from dreary times. Thank you.JD