Landmark Theatre
Syracuse Law. First year. We needed some blistering loud rock and roll and we got it. Another show at the Landmark for me, the first time was a Jerry Garcia Band show, and then Gilmour. A nice trio of shows to have seen there.
Hot Tuna
Syracuse Law. First year. We needed some blistering loud rock and roll and we got it. Another show at the Landmark for me, the first time was a Jerry Garcia Band show, and then Gilmour. A nice trio of shows to have seen there.
Date is uncertain.
What a treat; this place is by far the smallest venue where I've seen them, and its really initmate inside. They seemed to want to stay all night. The setlist is posted on setlists.fm.
Having seen them in Guild Hall and on the Further Tour, I continued to see Hot Tuna when they were back around.
I went to a bunch of great shows at the Keswick Theatre when I lived in the Philadelphia area for two years, starting with this Thanksgiving-time show by Hot Tuna. These holiday shows by Hot Tuna became a tradition down there as well as at the Beacon in NYC. The Keswick is simply a wonderful venue, modern and comfortable inside, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Another Thanksgiving show by Hot Tuna at the Keswick.
Below: Cover, 2001 schedule for Jorma’s Fur Peace camp.
Given how things played out in later years, it was kind of unusual for Tuna do do the Thanksgiving Beacon show in an acoustic configuration. That didn’t bother me at all. I enjoy all that Hot Tuna has done acoustic since their earliest days coming out from under Jefferson Airplane.
Thanksgiving week Tunafest at the Beacon.
We met dedicated members of the Hot Tuna family in the lobby at this show, lending support at the Hot Tuna music and memorabilia table. Based on the band’s stage antics and repeated urgings concerning Hot Tuna teas, I went ahead and procured some Jorma’s Rhythm Tonic Tea. I fine decision indeed.
This show celebrated 50 years of collaboration between Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Cassidy.
What was long known to me as "Westbury Music Hall" (maybe because its in Westbury, NY) had become the “Capitol One Theatre at Westbury” until North Fork bought Capitol One. Then it became the "North Fork Theatre" (due to sponsorship by North Fork Bank - since Westbury is not on the "North Fork" of Long Island), and had now taken on this new name. Aaaaanyway, here was two of my all-time favorite bands playing on the same bill in an intimate venue. Its really a unique place - every seat in the house is very close to the stage, but the seats in the lower half are incredible because they place you so close, and the rise from stage level is steep so you have this feeling like you are hovering over the band.
After the Westbury Music Hall gig came another trip to a familiar old music hall, the one in Tarrytown, another fine venue where every seat seems close to the stage.
If I recall correctly they had GE Smith as a guest on guitar. We sat way deep down in front for this show, Row A of the Center Orchestra.
Jorma's 70th birthday celebration
Below: Hot Tuna commemorative program cover
Pete Seeger performed at the 2013 Clearwater festival for the last time before he passed away.
The festival was founded in the wake of environmental effects on the Hudson River and had its origins in the building of Sloop Clearwater, which Pete Seeger and friends raised donations to build in order to promote awareness of the environmental issues with the river and more generally with the earth. In its various forms the festival has taken place for over 50 years and is a great event. The proceeds go directly to support Clearwater’s environmental research, education, and advocacy to help preserve and protect the river and its tributaries, as well as general Hudson river valley.
The Festival in 2013 focused on commemorating and supporting Pete Seeger’s life and work, including his impact on young musicians who learned to play banjo and guitar through his learn-to-play series. Jorma talked about Pete’s influence during the Hot Tuna set, proclaiming simply that “Pete is the Man!”
Slideshow: Hot Tuna performing acoustic at Clearwater Festival.
Below: Jorma and Jack at the Fur Peace Ranch booth. The food concessions at Clearwater festival included some good barbequed chicken. Although it was Jorma who recorded a solo album (and title track) in 1980 called “Barbeque King”, it was Jack who seemed to want that title.
Ridgefield is such a nice, intimate place with great views and acoustics. This was a freezing cold night, and an especially nice one for an acoustic Hot Tuna set. This had to be the easiest beer run ever during a set, sitting right close to the door.