Jorma Kaukonen, who played electric guitar with Jefferson Airplane and plays acoustic guitar with Hot Tuna, says that his song choices are an effort to tell his story (7-4-14 AJW). Although he’s lived in various places around the world, Kaukonen’s music is rooted in Americana — traditional folk, blues, gospel and Tin Pan Alley. The tunes on the singer-songwriter’s new album, Ain’t In No Hurry, on the St. Paul-based Red House Records label, are mainly originals, with new takes on songs by Woody Guthrie, Jimmy Cox and black gospel music pillar Thomas A. Dorsey. Also, this gem of an album — which features inspired playing by string wizards Larry Campbell and Barry Mitterhoff, and bassist Jack Casady (from the Airplane and Hot Tuna) — includes the ever-topical “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” by E.Y. “Yip” Harburg and Jay Gorney. Kaukonen returns April 11 to the Dakota Jazz Club. — M.S.
(American Jewish World, 2.27.15)
