Docking at Suwanee Music Park
Photo by Phil Jacobs
We had been looking forward to this gig. Playing at Suwanee Music Park has always been fun over the years and this was to be no exception! There were all sorts of friends there to be reconnected with not the least of which was Jim Lauderdale and Verlon Thompson. It was to be a great day!
The early view near the good old Mushroom Stage.
Photo by Phil Jacobs
Hot Tuna 29, 2023
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
and
Justin Guip
Spirit Of The Suwannee Music Park
Live Oak, Florida
Saturday, October 7, 2023
- I See The Light
- Hesitation Blues
- Death Don’t Have No Mwrcy
- Talkin’ Bout You
- Ode To Billy Dean
- Sleep Song
- Trial By Fire
- I Don’t Wanna Go
- Hit Single #1
- Ice Age
- Bowlegged Woman
- Water Song
- Funky # 7
Rockin’ beneath the Spanish Moss
Photo by Phil Jacobs
Justin, Angus, Myron and Phil winged their way home up north and Jack and I rode the bus stopping in Wytheville, Virginia stopping for the night. Tomorrow an early bus call… next stop the Fur Peace Ranch.
Hot Tuna had a profoundly satisfying run…
Onward
Just once, I’d like to see some interviewer or someone talking/writing about all of the creative freedom and collaboration and hippie ethos and groovyness and stonedom of the music scene in the 60s and 70s, particularly the San Francisco scene, and the Wally Heider’s community and all of that – and focus on the incredible discipline of these musicians, working out complex arrangements, knowing when to come in, getting the volume and tone right, working out melodies and accompaniments, actually knowing the tune cold – all of that stuff. I’ve tried recording tracks of myself on GarageBand playing, for example, one track of acoustic fingerpicking and another of a bass accompaniment and let me tell you, it ain’t easy to get it good. Just tried laying down my own multi-track version of an “improvisational” Grateful Dead jam and quickly discovered that if you’re not absolutely precise in the timing, it’s a mess. So let’s get one thing straight: our “bohemian” music heroes were also incredibly focused professionals and one should never lose sight of that. The looseness and intuition you hear is endless hours of immersion and critical reflection.
Hi Art… just because you bought an airplane doesn’t mean you can take it for a test flight without knowing what you’re doing and having extensive experience. Secondly (and you can take this for what it’s worth) we were all professional musicians. Most of us had been playing since we were teenagers with the goal in mind that someday we would be accomplished professionals. Speaking gratuitously for my JA companions… In our early recording career we got to work with some of the best engineers and producers. Tommy Oliver, Rick Garrard, Dave Hassinger and the absolutely brilliant Al Schmitt… and with Hot Tuna, Mallory Earl & more who I will perhaps mention another time. I remember when I got my first Porta Studio in the 80’s. I started to track myself, hated the results and never did it again. Some people love that stuff. Not I. True improvisation requires teamwork. Sometimes playing with yourself is just well… playing with yourself. This is an opinion not a canon of law.
You are right. We were, and those of us still alive who play are… focused professionals. Thanks for your observations and insights.
While I[m thinking about it… you should check out Ableton Live. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ableton_LiveIt's similar to Pro Tools but with the right controller you can perform with it. Check it out.
Again… thanks for weighing in.
Jorma… a god in music history
Flew into Jacksonville last Friday night and turned the phone off .
We went to Bluegish and had some great PEI oysters and Florida grouper .
Got up in Am and drove to North Beach to body surf with the real surfers ( were wanna he’s ).
Then drove west to Live oak to watch the band on the mushroom stage .Same opener to delight ,that we saw you guys play on the same stage .,I see the light .
Great show ,undiminished .
Met some friends as well from days in Negril at Feat Fest .
It wasn’t till I opened the phone on Sunday ,that the horror in Israel started to resonate .
Pray for Israel
Stand shoulder to shoulder against evil incarnate .
I don’t know how this will read ,but I’ve never trusted the foe.
This reads pretty much OK with me.I see no painless solution here, but evil must not prevail.
jorma
I just listened to the only cover I’ve ever heard of “See That My Grave Is Kept Clean” by Blind Lemon Jefferson. BB King was the artist. Good cracker.
How about October 5, at The Parker Playhouse in Ft.Lauderdale? What a great show. As always I thank you. We do.
I’m a little sketchy on the playlist, Can you help me out?
Thanks again.
See Last Ride Jacksonville Day 22
Always onward and forever further! Sending tons of love your way to you and yours.
In attending all 3 Fl shows, I recieved a complete Tuna experience. Clearwater the sound was impeccable. Clear as a bell. And youz gize played great.
Ft Lauderdale the crowd was rabid from introduction to the last note. Brought me back, and youz gize played great.
Suwanee I got to stand (preferable to me), and move my ass, watch the interaction between you and Jack up close, steal a few licks perhaps, and revel in my Tuna emotions. And youz gize played great!
There’s one common denominator here…
I’ll be counting days to the Fillmore show.
Thank you Jorma, Jack, Justin, Myron, Vanessa, and all the contributors to a wonderful run! 😀