Jorma Kaukonen Performs Live Solo Set From Fur Peace Ranch

Jorma Kaukonen delivered a solo acoustic livestream set from his Fur Peace Ranch in Pomeroy, Ohio on Saturday with help from his wife Vanessa Kaukonen and more. The legendary guitarist performed songs from the Hot Tuna catalog as well as a number of bluesy covers.

But Jorma kicked off the set with his own “Too Many Years.” The song appears on Kaukonen’s 1998 solo album of the same name. The guitarist continued with “Parchman Farm,” an old blues tune made famous by jazz-blues piano great Mose Allison. Parchman Farm is another name for the Mississippi State Penitentiary. Next came the gospel-blues traditional “Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning,” which was recorded by a number of blues legends including Blind Willie Johnson and Hot Tuna.

Jorma then talks a bit about the Reverand Thomas Dorsey before playing Dorsey’s “The Terrible Operation,” which showcases Kaukonen’s deft fingerpicking style. After answering an interesting question about the Jefferson Airplane classic “Lather” as well another intriguing one about Jorma’s early days living in Pakistan and Manilla, Kaukonen plays his collaboration with Tom Hobbs, “Flying Clouds,” from his 1974 debut solo album, Quah, followed by Hot Tuna’s “Watch The North Wind Rise.”

Jorma then welcomes Myron Hart — at a safe distance — and after having to coax an ancient amp to life Kaukonen accompanies Hart on Charlie Musselwhite’s “If I Should Have Bad Luck” ahead of another guest appearance from John Hurlburt on The Byrds’ “Ballad Of Easy Rider,” which appears on the soundtrack to the legendary 1969 film. Up next, Merle Travis’ “Re-Enlistment Blues” and Walter Davis’ “Come Back Baby” before Jorma closes out the set with Hot Tuna’s “Water Song.”

Watch the entire set below or head to JamBase’s Livestreams Calendar to watch it on-demand: