Guitarist Jorma Kaukomen - opinions?

Subject: RE: Guitarist Jorma Kaukomen - opinions?
From: gillymor
Date: 29 Dec 21 - 09:03 AM

My main acoustic is a mahogany Bourgeois Slope D which was influenced by the J-45 but it's got it's own particular charms and over the years it seems to be gaining that dry tone those old Gibsons are famous for.
I've played some of those Masterbilt Epiphones at Guitar Center and some of them sound remarkably good.

Subject: RE: Guitarist Jorma Kaukomen - opinions?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 29 Dec 21 - 08:50 AM

The new Epiphone modelled by Gibson guitars are very good. I got one of the J200's.

However the J45 seems to be the best of that crowd - unfortunately I have already have a whole fleet of dreadnoughts, I'm tripping over the bloody things - so I can't really add another to the flotilla.

Subject: RE: Guitarist Jorma Kaukomen - opinions?
From: gillymor
Date: 29 Dec 21 - 07:25 AM

I had an early 60's J-45 back in the 70's but traded it off for a Jumbo Guild, what was I thinking. That was the one that got away.
I was obsessed with Rev. Davis music back then and learned a bunch of his easier songs, which weren't all that easy, but Kaukonen's interpretations of the Rev. made the material more accessible and, to me, were more pleasing to the ear, especially "I'll Be Alright".

Subject: RE: Guitarist Jorma Kaukomen - opinions?
From: Piers Plowman
Date: 29 Dec 21 - 04:28 AM

From: GerryM - PM
Date: 28 Dec 21 - 09:16 AM

> No, no, Jorma Kaukomen, of the Jeffersom Airplame, and Hot Tuma.

You're right, but that was in a parallel umiverse.

Subject: RE: Guitarist Jorma Kaukomen - opinions?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 28 Dec 21 - 10:42 PM

I've got to admit, I'm a bit disappointed more guitarists haven't given their tuppence worth.

Years ago, someone told me that my style reminded them of the way Jorma played - although I've never really got down on tape anything that would make you think so.

We're very different. When he was fifteen he told his Dad he wanted a guitar and his Dad bought him a J45. Whereas I've had many great guitars but not a J45 yet, and I'm damn nearly 73.

The similarities are I suppose that we have both played acoustic and electric guitar. Me to make a living - him to make an artistic statement. We both play a style that is recognisably 'folk' based - but we both like using effects 0n our acoustic guitars.

He has a better keyboard knowledge than I do - and that makes him stray into jazz riffs, where the alternating bass can't go. This gives him a free spirited feel that wasn't quite available say Jansch and Renbourn.

I suppose the most influential version of Hesitation Blues. In England would probably be Ralph McTell's. You can see the influence of Gary Davis' version on Jorma. Its much slower; more of an audience dialogue than a smart guitar instrumental, and because the bass doesn't fit like clockwork Jorma has the freedom to be Joe Pass for 20 seconds.

Perhaps I'll think all this is rubbish in a week or so - because someone cleverer will point out the error of my thought processes.

Subject: RE: Guitarist Jorma Kaukomen - opinions?
From: Stewie
Date: 28 Dec 21 - 10:02 PM

Bloody brilliant! Gerry, his name is spelled with an 'n' - Kaukonen. I love his Hot Tuna blues stuff, but my favourite is 'Blue Country Heart' with a stellar lineup of bluegrass musicians - Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Bela Fleck. His other country inflected album, 'Stars in my crown' is almost as good.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Guitarist Jorma Kaukomen - opinions?
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 28 Dec 21 - 11:34 AM

Jorma is a phenomenal player. He knows when it is possible to play more but not necessary.

Don

Subject: RE: Guitarist Jorma Kaukomen - opinions?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 28 Dec 21 - 10:59 AM

yes groovy - sorry for my typo.

Subject: RE: Jorma Kaukomen
From: gillymor
Date: 28 Dec 21 - 10:19 AM

JK covering Rev. Gary Davis-I am the Light of This World

Subject: RE: Jorma Kaukomen
From: gillymor
Date: 28 Dec 21 - 09:18 AM

Saw him a few times with Hot Tuna, a fun group with their reworking of country blues standards, and the great Jack Casady on bass, but I always preferred his aooustic fingerpicking to his electric work. He's really got a handle on the Piedmont blues stuff from the likes of Rev. Gary Davis, Blind Boy Fuller etc. plus he's written some lovely acoustic songs, eg Genesis, Song For the North Star both off Quah, a mostly Jorma album with Tom Hobson, from the mid-70's. The live Hot Tuna album from that era is also good.

Subject: RE: Jorma Kaukomen
From: GerryM
Date: 28 Dec 21 - 09:16 AM

No, no, Jorma Kaukomen, of the Jeffersom Airplame, and Hot Tuma.

Subject: RE: Jorma Kaukomen
From: GUEST,Groovy
Date: 28 Dec 21 - 07:06 AM

Do you mean Jorma Kaukonen?

Subject: Jorma Kaukomen
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 28 Dec 21 - 06:37 AM

Just started looking at this guy's stuff. Reading his biography.

Can I ask , solicit opinions, thoughts about this guitarist?