Show Review: Jorma Kaukonen Birthday Bash (Hot Tuna) – Beacon Theater – 12/04/2010

Jorma Kaukonen was actually born on December 23, but it’s only right that friends old and new come together to put on two shows for his 70th birthday. Night two’s set list and guests looked great on paper, yet were even better if you were there to experience the ride. Jorma Kaukonen (guitar, vox),
Jack Casady (bass), Barry Mitterhoff (mandolin, tenor guitar) and Skoota Warner (drums) were joined by a slew of guests throughout the night to celebrate Jorma’s birthday. The first four songs were standard Hot Tuna songs; however, they were soon joined by Pete Sears (keys) on “San Francisco Bay Blues.” Sears remained while Grateful Dead rhythm guitarist, Bob Weir, and former Hot Tuna (current New Riders Of The Purple Sage member), Michael Falzarano took the stage for the honky-tonk flavored “Big Railroad Blues.”

As the first set neared conclusion, Weir and Sears rejoined the action, but they were now joined by Allman Brothers bassist, Oteil Burbridge. Moreover, Hot Tuna alumni, Bob Steeler (drummer of Hot Tuna from 1974-1979) also appeared for a funky, extended version of “Bowlegged Woman, Knock Kneed Man.” The double bass and guitar overload created an environment for a loud and rocking rendition of the Hot Tuna song. To close out the set, the all-star lineup stayed on for “Walkin’ Blues,” led by none other than Bob Weir, taking the spotlight with his unique rhythm guitar playing and animated vocals.

Set two consisted of two songs with Pete Sears to get things started, playing keys on “I See the Light” and accordion on “Third Week in Chelsea.” Another guest was piled on to the list as Steve Earle brought a cheer from the crowd, stating how much he loved his job as he began his bluesy “Your Hometown.” Steve stayed on for another, then moving onto “99 Year Blues” with Oteil Burbridge. Pete Sear’s arrived with an accordion while Bob Weir emerged from backstage with his acoustic guitar, which led into a chilling, “When I Paint My Masterpiece” solo, followed by the rest of the band supporting him, adding a nice tone to the Bob Dylan original.

Bob Steeler came on for the rest of the show, and brought the heat along with Burbridge during “Funky #7″ highlighted by both Oteil Burbridge and Jack Cassidy playing off of each other’s bass lines to form one seamless groove, followed by a drum solo between Skoota Warner and Bob Steeler sandwiched in the middle. All of the guests of the night came on for “Come Back Baby,” where Bob Weir and Jorma Kaukonen both shined on their guitars, and Barry Mitterhoff kept up his end of the deal with impressive mandolin work. To bring the night to an end, “Baby What You Want Me to Do,” brought on southern rock and blues lick frenzies between Jorma, Weir, Michael Falzarano, and Steve Earle.

Aside from the eclectic guest list, the music was able to stand and alone was one for the books. Jorma certainly got treated with one his best birthday celebrations, as a legend like him deserves it.

SETLIST:

(via http://www.tunabase.com)

Electric Set 1:
Serpent Of Dreams
Been So Long
Ode For Billy Dean
I Wish You Would
San Francisco Bay Blues 1
Big Railroad Blues 1, 2, 3
How Long Blues 1
If This Is Love, I Want My Money Back
Bowlegged Woman, Knock Kneed Man 4, 5, 2, 1
Walkin’ Blues 4, 5, 2, 1

Set 2:
I See The Light 1
Third Week In The Chelsea 6
Your Hometown 7
Brand New Companion 1, 7
99 Year Blues 5
When You Paint My Masterpiece 6, 8
Talking ‘Bout You 4
Hesitation Blues 4
“happy birthday plus the cake’
AK-47 3, 1, 4
Funky #7 4, 5
Come Back Baby 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7

Encore:
Baby What You Want Me T Do 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7

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Lineup:
Jorma Kaukonen – guitar, vox
Jack Casady – bass
Barry Mitterhoff – mandolin, tenor guitar
Skoota Warner – drums

Special guests:
1 Pete Sears – keyboards;
2 Bob Weir – guitar;
3 Michael Falzarano – guitar, vox;
4 Bob Steeler – drums;
5 Oteil Burbridge;
6 Pete Sears – accordion;
7 Steve Earle – guitar, vox;
8 Bob Weir – acoustic guitar, vox

Notes:
Jorma’s 70th Birthday party with special guests