Jorma KAUKONEN - Magic Two 1995

Jorma KAUKONEN - Magic Two 1995

Blues

Born; 23 December 1940, Washington, DC, USA. The solo career of the former Jefferson Airplane lead guitarist started after the demise of the Airplane splinter group Hot Tuna in 1978. Kaukonen went back to his roots as a solo acoustic performer in small clubs. Four years earlier, he had released an outstanding recording, Quah, joined by Tom Hobson and produced by Jack Casady. The album was well received and although not released in the UK, enough copies were imported to satisfy the small but enthusiastic market. On this album Kaukonen displayed an intensity that had been hidden during his years with the Jefferson Airplane. The autobiographical "Song For The North Star" and the emotive "Genesis" were two excellent examples. On Barbeque King he was joined by Denny DeGorio (bass) and John Stench (drums), otherwise known as Vital Parts, in a not too successful attempt to work again within a rock group.

During his solo years Kaukonen's reputation as an acoustic guitarist has grown considerably; his love for ragtime blues continued to find a small and loyal audience fascinated to watch a six-foot, body-tattooed man playing such delicate music. In 1989, Kaukonen was cajoled into joining the re-formed Jefferson Airplane, where once again he sacrificed his love of "wooden" music for the power of his biting and frantic lead guitar playing. Two years later, Kaukonen and Casady, who had re-formed Hot Tuna as a part-time unit in the mid-80s, recorded a new album together. Kaukonen had a long bout of heroin addiction to deal with but managed to clean up and flourish. In 1995 Kaukonen founded the Fur Peace Guitar Ranch in Meigs County, Ohio, where he teaches traditional American music to about 500 young musicians every year. Kaukonen continues to work with both Hot Tuna and his own trio, where he plays alongside Michael Falzarano (guitar) and Pete Sears (keyboards), and is also an occasional member of Phil Lesh's band. Kaukonen was back on a major record label in 2002 with an album of traditional country folk/blues. He remains one of the finest guitarists to emerge from the late 60s rock revolution.
NME.com.
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This is Jorma live during his solo Winter Tour of 1984. A buddy & myself traveled 200 miles from Virginny to see the master play a little club in Washington D.C. and we were indeed lucky to see one of oue heroes up close and personal.
This CD is the truth of what we saw and heard that night in a tiny bar. Kid's, Jorma is the GOODS, one guy with a guitar who has done his homework. There are 14 tracks on this CD (the LP had 8) and if you know the man's work it is well represented here from Airplane tracks: "Good Sheperd" & "Embryonic Journey" with lot's of Tuna favorites thrown in as well: "Candy Man", "Come Back Baby", and a killer version of "Man's Fate", that stands above the 1st Hot Tuna record.
The stand out track is "Follow The Drinking Gourd" as it is an amazing display of "Flyin' Fingers" by one of the true greats. This CD is worth it, and this guy can sing the whites...BUY IT.
By Philip S. WOLF.
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01. Walkin' Blues
02. Winin' Boy Blues
03. I'll Be Alright
04. Embryonic Journey
05. Broken Highway
06. Candy Man
07. Follow the Drinking Gourd
08. Rock Me Baby
09. Another Man Done Gone
10. Roads and Roads &
11. Good Shepherd
12. Police Dog Blues
13. Come Back Baby
14. Mann's Fate
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Jorma KAUKONEN - Quah 1974

Jorma KAUKONEN - Quah 1974

Blues

Jorma Kaukonen's first solo album remains one of the crowning achievements in his distinguished musical career. First released in 1974, Quah drew on the same folk and blues influences that powered his Hot Tuna project, but did so with a gentler, more delicate touch. Produced by his Hot Tuna partner Jack Casady, the album mostly features just Jorma and his deft fingerpicking, although three songs feature tasteful string-section overdubs. The opening "Genesis," a poignant ode to his failing marriage (recorded on Valentine's Day), is perhaps his most touching original composition, while another original, "Flying Clouds," is a graceful melody as far from acid rock as one can imagine. There are also two uplifting covers of his biggest influence, Rev. Gary Davis. Originally, Quah was supposed to be a full collaboration with Tom Hobson, whom Jorma describes as a "quirky roots performer." Hobson was apparently too quirky for the suits at RCA, since only two of his contributions survived the original cut; though always considered a bit odd by Jorma fans, Hobson's songs have over time acquired a certain charm. The 2003 reissue adds four unreleased bonus cuts: two Hobson vocals, an instrumental duet, and a solo instrumental by Kaukonen. Those who associate Jorma Kaukonen with more jam-oriented projects may be surprised by just how lovely and enchanting Quah is.
By Marc Greilsamer. AMG.
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By 1974, Jefferson Airplane guitarist Jorma Kaukonen had already started on his own path with his blues-rock side project, Hot Tuna, but with the Airplane's final flight behind him, he moved definitively beyond electrified psychedelic rock with his first solo album, QUAH. Most of the album is just Jorma and his acoustic guitar, and while this sparse format is ostensibly similar to some of the later Hot Tuna releases, it focuses much more on folk-tinged singer-songwriter balladry than on the country blues favored by Tuna. Those familiar with Jorma's Airplane ballads, such as "Good Shepherd," will recognize the sensibility at work here. Of course, there are some tracks where Jorma showcases his mastery of blues fingerpicking, and even some of the most overtly folkie tracks bear a bluesy tinge, but on the whole, QUAH is of a piece with the troubadour movement that was still all the rage in the mid-'70s.

On its first Sub Pop release, 2008's SUN GIANT EP, the heralded Seattle group Fleet Foxes presents a mesmerizing five-song set. Often recalling My Morning Jacket on the British folk kick, the young indie-pop act offers up plenty of sonorous vocal harmonies (most notably on the spare title track) and jangly acoustic-guitar lines (see the chiming "English House"), perfectly setting the stage for its highly anticipated full-length debut, RAGGED WOOD.
From CD Universe.
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A1. Genesis (4:19)
A2. I'll Be All Right (3:08)  
A3. Song For The North Star (2:52)
A4. I'll Let You Know Before I Leave (2:17)
A5. Flying Clouds (4:07)
A6. Another Man Done Gone (2:54)
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B1. I Am The Light Of This World (3:46) 
B2. Police Dog Blues (3:45) 
B3. Blue Prelude (4:05)
B4. Sweet Hawaiian Sunshine (2:42)
B5. Hamar Promenade (4:34)

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