Jack figured while he was out here he would stay another week. Who knows when we’ll get a chance to see each other again so having driven all this way, I get one more session with him. The word thanks does not even begin to cover it.
Speaking of thanks and good times, here’s what we did last weekend.
Hot Tuna 18, 2020
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
#13 Of the Quarantine Concert Series
Fur Peace Station
Darwin, Ohio
Saturday July 11, 2020
- Serpent Of Dreams
- Living Just For You
- Highway Song
- Whining Boy Blues
- Ode To Billy Dean
- Great Divide Revisited
- Sleep Song
- Watch The North Wind Rise
- Hamar Promenade
- Genesis
- That’ll Never Happen No More
Of course one of the many blessings about having my old friend around this long is that we have been relentlessly playing and rehearsing (the two are not the same) together. If and when things begin to open up, we’ll have a boatload of new/old material to plunder.
We really know so little about the virus anything I say here is only moderately informed opinion. That said, things are now beginning to spike down here in our little corner of Appalachia. We knew it was simply a matter of time. My life is probably less disrupted than some of my friends who live in other parts of the country so I’ll try not to be a whiny bitch… too much. I guess I’ll just join in what I believe is the Vox Populi and say, ‘I don’t like it.’ I noticed that the world doesn’t care whether or not I like something, so I’ll let it go at that.
I’ve been out and about in a socially distant kind of way. Went to the Range yesterday and if today’s storm passes quickly I’ll go to the lake this evening when things cool off a little. The long walks in the woods with our four footed buddies is (to mix metaphors) the ‘cat’s meow.’
I know most of us are holding tough and hoping for the best.
More will be revealed…
Has the thought of performing albums in they entirety been explored?
Performing “Burgers” front to back seems like a natural. ANYways, last week was really great….but PLEASE give Jack a microphone to speak into…and if he wants to sing “Party Song”, who are we to stop him?….I bet he sounds like a young Robert Goulet!
During a previous quarantine gig, you mentioned the early and profound influence of Johnny Cash and Buddy Holly, and at the most recent Tuna road show, you said similar things about Chuck Berry. Indeed, the excerpt from Peggy Sue last week was an unexpected treat. Many of us would like to hear which numbers from those artists made it into the pre-California repertoire and how they or others continue to influence your work today.
P.S. RIP John Lewis. Saw him speak at an Antioch graduation in the late 80’s. He was truly an inspiring and enduring example of dignity and determination.
Agreed , the poster is very cool
50th anniversary seahorse / mermaid wasn’t shabby either
@Greg martelli
To each his own. Ain’t your blog, though. Jorma introduced the social topic in his post. I’ll follow his lead as what I I talk about.
I had a roommate in college for 1- year ,Mike Laginestra ,his father was Rocco Laginestra ,president of RCA at time .His dad was famous for his battle with Kantner /Slick et al over lyrical content on Volunteers .It was over
Among other things the lyrics to volunteers .
We didn’t room together after my freshman year ,but remained friends .
I liked the outdoors and he enjoyed other things .
I’m a free speech guy and I find censorship ( in 99% of cases oppressive), they’res also censorship by the mob( don’t forget Trotsky), I think this conversation should be about music & what it does for us .
We can have different views and that should be celebrated
Let’s practice what we preach
@Greg martelli
Cheers!!! Jack could give a class on the subtleties of eyebrow raising. Cheers to your family docs.
My 90 year old anunt has the Cove. (the kids are calling it the Cove now) She is in a NJ nursing home, not sure which exit. They gave her the hydroxychloroquine. She never showed any symptoms, except for tiredness….Doing fine now….yet a family of 3 wiped out in Piermont NY, a town Jorma use to play near the Hudson River. The old Turning Point.
Enjoy the show tomorrow night.
Who was the artist on the poster? Really nice work!
@Gary Dion
So true, Gary – the kids are all right. Just the other day I passed a group who attend the high school I graduated from in 1971. They were listening to and digging “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.” There is hope!
(And thank you for being a teacher – few jobs more important.)
@Jorma Thank you for your thoughts, and of course the music. I just got here today and am thrilled to see that Jack will be part of Saturday night one more time – that is so great!!! Thanks, Jack!
This country now seems to have many people who think their own liberty trumps the health and well being of the many, or their own perceived position on the hierarchy trumps the rights of a few. There is a movement afoot that education doesn’t mean much anymore. That things like science, math, actual understanding of history, medical expertise, and being open to new ideas – that all of that doesn’t have value anymore.
I am fortunate to work with a diverse and wonderful collection of students in the local high school – they are our future! These kids are learning how to look at data, analyze information, and think for themselves.
The Infinite World of Everything! The Wonderful World of Hot Tuna Music!
Thank you. The last two Saturday night shows were so good, so special. Definitely, please do, play one more. I know where I will be on Saturday, July 18 at 8pm ET.
And there was much rejoicing!!! Thank you Jack for staying. There is still a chance that missing Police Dog may show up! All things in time…
Thanks to all at FPR for keeping the lamps trimmed and burning.
Always a great band ,authentic -America’s choice
I think the COVID conversation is close to ludicrous ,We have 4 physicians in immediate family .If I quoted them it would raise even Jacks eyebrows ,
Let’s rock this joint
The Chinese didn’t build the wall to let the mongols in ,and the walls of Caffa didn’t protect the Genoese from the mongols When they catapulted the bubonic rife corpses over the walls.
Caverns is open for tours ,but not for Toots .
Ride the music
I’ll be riding it tonight
It’s wonderful that you and Jack are gonna treat the world to another superior show! The material has wonderful new fuel injected into it! Really appreciated! Now back to work on my 3rd album.
So I was thinking…
Have you played “Starting Over Again” or “Love is Strange” yet in the Quarantine Concerts?
“How do I call my lover …”
@Bill from Wisconsin
That’s a really nice post, Bill. Thanks for the good points.
What a great set last Saturday. Thanks, thanks, thanks! And another one with Jack. Doesn’t get much better than this.
THANK YOU, more than you can know! The anchor and reference for our week has been your concerts! And, that’s a good thing, because it’s a great time to put aside all the other cares and concerns. Last Sunday morning, the thought of Jack hitting the road was sad enough for us, so it must have been very depressing for you. Seeing friends go is tough, but all the more so during these times. Maybe there’s something to learn about appreciating each other more than we do. And, while the music is great, the conversations and stories bring out aspects of your personality/humanity that we all love to hear. Few “celebrities” and artists do that as well as you have, endearing you all that much more. For many of us, of about the same age, it helps fill in some of the cracks in our history. Thank you and G-d Bless!
@Tom NY
That’s rich, dude. You started this shit by pointing your finger at China.
Replying to myself..Just got the email from FPR and no show at the Station in Nov..Totally bummed but makes perfect sense with whats going on..Hope to go when its rescheduled..Being safe is most important so thanks for looking out for us all..
How does one support leadership that has been abjectly abdicated ? Those refusing to wear facial covering in public places reveal much more about themselves than just their lips and nostrils. Trading a prophylactic mask for a veil of ignorance seems to me to be a bad bargain. How many dead Americans will it take before that veil is lifted ? It will be lovely to spend an hour and a half or so tomorrow evening not thinking about any of this.
Thank you Jack and Jorma. It’s such a gift for us (and you’re truly an inspiration with the relentless practicing).
I responded to a guys post about musicians who are use to being on the road having their lives and work severely affected negatively… I know at least one of the younger musicians I cited is not happy with China response, thus I think that was on point. He is quite vocal on a range of things.
I admit I do presume about the other musicians cited….Any clear minded honest person knows China failed. Their pride prompted them try to hide and contain it. Or maybe there was something even more nefarious afoot…..but heck, do you all know the Spanish Flu was spread from US to Europe?
Also, Brother, which point are we to keep on????….Jack staying for an extra week, Texas response, Athens Fish and Game, or your buddy Chappy’s potential real estate spot for The Jackman.
Regarding our leadership, I support it, though I am aware all emperors wear no clothes sometimes and all men fail…..when we point the finger we have 3 pointing back.
Have a nice show and thanks for it.
Exactly!@Jorma
Dr. Strangelove ain’t a fart up agin’ what we got now for national leadership. Fly your flags upside down. We’re in distress, but I feel a good change comin’.
So happy to hear about #13..I rarely watch things twice and never so soon after but had to watch #12 yesterday and truly a treat to us HT fans..
I have a seat for the HT electric show at the Station for Nov..Hope we are all well and it happens..
Wow !! Awesome !! More Jorma & Jack .. Love it .You guys are amazing & the sets have been very special .God bless all of you at The F.P.R .Stay safe & yes no doubt the next live shows that H.T Play in public are gonna be so special ,I got my 2021 ticket for Huntington ..Have a great show .Cant wait .Peace & Love
Much more akin to attending performance than I imagined All due to your crew and youse.
@Jorma
What China does should alarm all of us. Harvesting organs from prisoners, concentration camps for Muslims, bulldozing Christian churches….yes we have our sins here, some of which are not discussed on this blog…but China did a great disservice to the world.
Thank God, we stopped incoming from China, even though some politicians called it xenophobic.
Tom… Your first point was about China and a gaggle of musicians presumably, according to you, unhappy about the way China ‘handled’ the virus. China may or may not have dropped the ball. The current administration definitely did. If you’re going to discuss things… keep on point.
Carey, Look below the Big Dipper after sunset. Tonight should be on the horizon and get higher every night for the next week
Dug the 7/11 show, and am looking forward to 7/18. After 49 I still love hearing you play together.
Great that Jack is sticking around for another week! My brother used to live in an awesome old log cabin on Vore Ridge Road…maybe it’s for sale or rent and Jack can settle in there for a while. Curious which Range you went to? When I visit SE Ohio I head up to Briar Rabbit in Zanesville. Is there one closer to Athens? Looking forward to Saturday night!
That would be Athens Fish And Game on Robinette Ridge Rd. near Mineral. Nice place… summer camp for the kids, a lake and well kept ranges.
One size fits all never fits well. Sorta like trying to nail Jello to the wall.
It is wonderful Jack is around for more musical bliss.
Had to bust back in right quick. Just read about a comet that was discovered in March. Brightest in a generation. Oughtta be highly visible out in the darkness of rural Ohio. Seein’s as Halley’s Comet was one of the biggest disappointments of this stargazer’s life, I get excited when a chance to see such a rarity comes along. Search “NEOWISE” for viewing instructions.
@Tom NY
WTF has China to do with the validity of science? If all another country has to do is sneeze to run us in a ditch, we needs to be lookin’ inside, not lookin’ for bogeymen. Can’t even grab a handkerchief without pissing off a neighbor. That ain’t China’s fault, brother.
Fantastic news! Yes, nobody likes what has been happening with the virus, but we are lucky for the many wonderful things we have to share and distract us (even though we know there are many who can’t afford to even stop and partake in those).
I share two thoughts with you, Jorma: 1.) I do think you’ve re-discovered and shared a lot of the less played part of your (and Jack’s!) catalog, and feel like this may be an unforeseen
benefit for us all post COVID. 2.) I’m also mostly upset about the lack of leadership WE have seen.
Better days ahead(!?). To borrow…all will be revealed….
The joy of being a Tuna fan for 45 years peaked last Saturday with the finest set. Now another show? Oh my, the best is yet to come. Thanks
Awesome Jack ~
So glad you decided to stay another week. We will be watching from Florida’s Left coast.
Jacks Back…can’t believe it!
Hey Jack look at some real estate.
You can spend your summers in Ohio.
@carey georgas
Yes I think of Dylan, McCartney, Willie, and also a lot of the younger folks like Sean Lennon, Dhani Harrison, The Wood Brothers….guys just getting started…. I am sure they are not happy w the way China handled this.
Nice set last week. Glad Jack is hanging around… he may come in for a Christmas concert
China’s response does not concern me. The lack of responsible leadership here at home does.
Alright, some good news, no check that, some GREAT news for a change.
After watching ya’ll Saturday, Jack’s extension of his visit is no surprise. It is supremely fortuitous for us watchers out here, however. The sweetest treasures are most often the unexpected.
This Vox Populus is preposterously vexed. Our dithering leaders in Texas are bouncing around like keystone cops as refrigerator trucks are streaming in to “take out the dead”. The citizenry is so bi-polar that a trumpophile
Governor is being eaten by his own for finally following science and leading. That said, my life has never been about the road. I can only imagine, and vaguely at best, how the disruption has affected a lifetime spent in that rhythm.
we are hoping for the best. The best for your audience has just been announced!! Another show with Jack and Jorma. A heartfelt thank you to each of you…
Yay!!!!
😊😊😊