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King Kaukonen Has Stars in His Crown! A Kweevak.com Rock Report by Rich and Laura Lynch Jorma Kaukonen is well respected for his wide range of styles including animated bluegrass, electric blues, finger-picking folk, and psychedelic rock. Kaukonen is a composer and founder of The Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna, both revolutionary bands of the 60s and 70s. Jorma has almost a cult following and the faithful are quick to sing his well earned praises.
 Jorma Kaukonen is at home in a live setting! Jorma has had an impressive musical rein and he is still going strong with the release of his latest CD Stars In My Crown, a follow up to the Grammy nominated Blue Country Heart. The new record is a return to Jorma's American musical roots. It includes originals and covers of Kaukonen's favorite blues and country artists. Stars is considered to be an "even more personal record drawing from a far broader palette." The show at Mexicali Blues in Teaneck, New Jersey on Thursday, February 8th, was the first night of the 2007 tour which runs through the summer and features musical accompaniment by the multi-talented Barry Mitterhoff. Barry is a highly regarded mandolinist able to play a broad range of styles on his tiny instrument. Mitterhoff is also apt on the banjo and guitar. Anticipation was high among the capacity crowd at the Mexicali Blues Cafe - the legend in the making dinner club - who was about to reveal a shiny new feather in their own cap! The venue then announced that the cafe/club would be putting on a new series of events called "Mexicali Blues Presents" at the much larger and recently restored stately BergenPAC Theater in Englewood. Their first show in July would be electric Hot Tuna featuring tonight's performer - Jorma Kaukonen! Without further adieu, Jorma and Barry took their seats and opened the acoustic show with "Been So Long". The tune started out with gentle picking with the pace subtly expanding as the song continued. "I'm Free From The Chain Gang Now" was a flavorful bluegrass influenced song with solemn storytelling. Barry took the lead on his mandolin adding to the bitter-sweet tone of the tune. Mitterhoff switched to an acoustic guitar to exchange spirited licks with Jorma on "I'll Let You Know Before I Leave". Kaukonen chit chatted about traveling and the effects of cold baggage compartments on guitars before paying tribute to their trusty instruments with "More Than My Old Guitar", which featured both men singing and picking out pretty chords. A song rich in textures and tones. Returning to the mandolin the two played a spirited version of "Operator" and then the reflective "Living In The Moment" off the new CD. Throughout the evening either Jorma or Barry mentioned the new record with some additional banter about tee-shirts. Many fans in the crowd were already sporting their own "got Jorma" tees. "Sea Child" a classic from Burgers was interesting in an acoustic environment especially with the mandolin as a focal point. "Bread Line Blue" was aptly handled with Barry playing the banjo and the two exchanging innovative leads, then Mitterhoff mischievously picking up the pace. More light banter and a comment that this next song is on the new CD twice. Both veterans were intent on their solos yet well aware of what the other was doing. "Barbeque King" was smoky and soulful with an extended jam. Still jesting Barry asked Jorma if he had finished his Valentine's Day shopping? "Barely started", perhaps folks would like a "got Jorma" hat for these cold New Jersey winters. Joking that they were going to do a medley of our greatest hit they closed the first set with "Red River Blues". The second set started with an up-tempo interpretation of "Tom Cat Blues" and than the darker "Death Don't Have No Mercy" with Barry curled around his mandolin working the whole instrument. Their unique treatment of the classic "I Know You Rider" was well received with Barry playing some speedy leads and Jorma adding hues to the rhythm. "There's A Table Sitting In Heaven" another new song had a light, lilting tone before they moved into the sadder and slower "Blues Stay Away From Me". "Hesitation Blues" featured some dynamic rhythm work from Jorma enhanced by his earthy vocal style and Barry aptly handling leads on the mandolin. "Come Back Baby" off Stars was bluesy in contrast to the up-tempo "Late Breaking News" and the spiritual "Heart Temporary" a visual song about nature and living in the moment. The song was poignant and featured pretty notes in the high ranges, blending well with Jorma's colorful picking. "Good Shepherd" was another nod to Kaukonen's varied history and the set closed with "San Francisco Bay Blues" with the encore "Water Song". Kaukonen still reins as a guitar king, growing as an artist, yet able to rest on the laurels of the past. The Mexicali faithful were enthusiastic and enjoyed the classics along with the new material from Stars In My Crown and I am sure many of them will be back for the electric Hot Tuna show in July at the BergenPAC - presented by Mexicali Blues.
 Jorma Kaukonen and New Jersey's own Barry Mitterhoff shared the stage in Teaneck! Originally Published: 02/14/2007 on Kweevak.com |
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