Electric Hot Tuna - Jorma's 70th Birthday Celebration - New DVD Release Review

The hot band on tour right now is Hot Tuna! Yep, Jorma and Jack are back on the road and to kick off their road trip Fur Peace Ranch has release live footage extracted from 2 nights of concerts at the Beacon Theater in NYC on December 3&4, 2010. I don't know how many of you have seen Jorma and Hot Tuna live but I have had the pleasure many times over a number of years. The recording begins with I See The Light featuring Jorma on his J190 and Jack joined by Barry Mitterhoff on an 8 string Danelectro guitar with lipstick pickups and Skoota Warner on drums. The band is joined on stage by John Hammond for a cool version of I Can Tell with Hammond on 335 and Jorma pushing his trademark solos through a goldtop. Then the tension starts to build with Warren Haynes on 335, Bill Kirchen on Tele, Larry Campbell on fiddle and Mitterhoff changes over to an electric mandolin. Kirchen has been separated from his old tele (probably retired) but the new one can talk just fine. If you've never seen Tuna with Mitterhoff, man can play the mandolin and doesn't restrict his playing to traditional mandolin formatting but uses it often as a mini guitar creating an interesting sound. In this case he's playing a 4 string which could be a tenor electric guitar. Very cool. Haynes rips off a pretty nice solo on the 335 and these guys seem to have been playing together forever. Jorma steps in with the Goldtop and his distinctive sound and with Campbell playing great violin riffs you could close your eyes and swear you were hearing Tuna in the 70's.
For Water Song the crew is joined by Byron House on upright electric bass played both plucked and bowed. Mitterhoff switched over to an acoustic f -style and Jorma pulls out a beautiful maple capped hollow body electric with a particularly light acoustical sound. On Bowlegged Woman/Knock Kneed Man Casady opens the song with a a nice solid bass riff. This track has a particularly nice funky swamp funk enforced by Oteil Burbridge on Fodera 6 string bass. Mittenhoff again playing an unconventional electro mando like instrument with 5 strings rippin some pretty cool solos. Burbridge gets the spotlight playing some interesting jazz chord and lead jazz bass lines. You can see Jorma just groovin to what's being layed down. Bob Wier joins mid song and dons a 335. The band continues the groove for quite some time building the tension but without anyone stepping on top of anyone else. Jorma pulls the reins back in with a crisp solo and a refrain of the chorus. Wier takes lead vocals on a cool version of Walking Blues. Both Wier and Jorma take turns on lead guitar and Mittenhoff as well on the 4 stringer. Steve Earle joins the band for Hometown Blues which the band plays in a rag style. Earle plays a black electrified acoustic Martin. Jorma keeps the band in the rag style groove with 99 Year Blues. I particularly like Jorma's vocals on this track. He's always strong but this track is right on. Mittenhoff is back on the F style and rips a few solos. Casady gets a chance to step up for some melodic bass lines which is always a pleasure. The band takes it to the funk a little and Burbridge and Casady trade lead lines. The show is concluded with Jimmy Reed's Baby What You Want Me To Do. The entire force is onstage for a giant jam. This is a great conclusion for a great bunch of musicians. The attendee's certainly got their money's worth over this two night concert.





Again Hot Tuna is on the road. Check the concert schedule below to see if they are coming to your town:

06/21/12	State Theatre Ithaca, NY	Electric Hot Tuna	also Steve Kimock
	06/22/12	Count Basie Theatre Red Bank, NJ	Electric Hot Tuna	also Steve Kimock
	06/23/12	The Wellmont Theatre Montclair, NJ	Electric Hot Tuna	With a brief appearance by Bob Steeler. Also Steve Kimock Tickets
	06/25/12	The National Richmond, VA	Electric Hot Tuna	also Steve Kimock
	06/26/12	Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE	Electric Hot Tuna	With Bob Steeler on drums. Also Steve Kimock
	06/28/12	Sherman Theater Stroudsburg, PA	Electric Hot Tuna	also Steve Kimock Tickets
	06/29/12	Theatre at Westbury Westbury, NY	Electric Hot Tuna	also Steve Kimock
	06/30/12	Venetian Theater, Caramoor Festival Katonah, NY	Acoustic Hot Tuna	also David Bromberg
	07/01/12	The Bull Run Concert Series Shirley, MA	Acoustic Hot Tuna	two shows: 3pm & 7pm
	07/05/12	Westbrook Performing Arts Center Westbrook, ME	Acoustic Hot Tuna	also Darol Anger Tickets
	07/06/12	The Flying Monkey Plymouth, NH	Acoustic Hot Tuna
	07/07/12	The Theater at Newburyport High School Newburyport, MA	Acoustic Hot Tuna	Tickets
	07/09/12	The Arts Center Carrboro, NC	Acoustic Hot Tuna	Tickets
	07/10/12	Bijou Theatre Knoxville, TN	Acoustic Hot Tuna
	07/11/12	Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place Asheville, NC	Acoustic Hot Tuna
	07/13/12	Variety Playhouse Atlanta, GA	Acoustic Hot Tuna	Tickets
	07/14/12	Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center Tampa, FL	Acoustic Hot Tuna
	07/17/12	One World Theatre Austin, TX	Acoustic Hot Tuna
	07/18/12	Kessler Theater Dallas, TX	Acoustic Hot Tuna	Tickets
	07/20/12	Oriental Theatre Denver, CO	Acoustic Hot Tuna	Tickets
	07/21/12	Third Street Performing Arts Center Carbondale, CO	Acoustic Hot Tuna	Tickets
	07/22/12	Sheridan Opera House Telluride, CO	Acoustic Hot Tuna
	07/25/12	Mesa Arts Center Mesa, AZ	Acoustic Hot Tuna
	07/26/12	Orpheum Theatre Flagstaff, AZ	Acoustic Hot Tuna	Tickets
	07/27/12	Anthology San Diego, CA	Acoustic Hot Tuna	Tickets
	07/28/12	Rio Theatre Santa Cruz, CA	Acoustic Hot Tuna	Tickets
	07/30/12	Sweetwater Music Hall Mill Valley, CA	Acoustic Hot Tuna	SOLD OUT
	07/31/12	Sweetwater Music Hall Mill Valley, CA	Acoustic Hot Tuna	SOLD OUT
	08/02/12	Tower Theatre Bend, OR	Acoustic Hot Tuna
	08/03/12	Aladdin Theater Portland, OR	Acoustic Hot Tuna
	08/04/12	Mount Baker Rhythm & Blues Festival Deming Log Show Fairgrounds, Bellingham, WA	Electric Hot Tuna
	08/11/12	Fur Peace Station Pomeroy, OH	Acoustic Hot Tuna	SOLD OUT. Jack & Jorma. Also The Persuasions.
	09/01/12	Dark Star Jubilee Legend Valley, Thornville, OH	Jorma Kaukonen	3pm
	09/13/12	Stage One Fairfield, CT	Jorma Kaukonen
	09/14/12	The Colonial Theatre Phoenixville, PA	Jorma Kaukonen	also Loudon Wainwright III
	09/15/12	The Stephen Talkhouse Amagansett, NY	Jorma Kaukonen
	10/04/12	The Birchmere Alexandria, VA	Jorma Kaukonen
	10/05/12	Rams Head On Stage Annapolis, MD	Jorma Kaukonen	also Peter Mulvey
	10/06/12	Kirk Avenue Music Hall Roanoke, VA	Jorma Kaukonen
	10/07/12	Natasha's Bistro & Bar Lexington, KY	Jorma Kaukonen	CORRECT DATE
	10/11/12	Infinity Hall Norfolk, CT	Jorma Kaukonen	CORRECT DATE
	10/12/12	Earlville Opera House Earlville, NY	Jorma Kaukonen
	10/13/12	Narrows Center for the Arts Fall River, MA	Jorma Kaukonen
	10/14/12	YMCA Boulton Center for the Performing Arts Bay Shore, NY	Jorma Kaukonen
	10/18/12	Brewery Arts Center Carson City, NV	Jorma Kaukonen
	10/19/12	Napa Valley Opera House Napa, CA	Jorma Kaukonen
	10/20/12	Swedish American Hall at Cafe Du Nord San Francisco, CA	Jorma Kaukonen	Two shows: 7pm & 10pm
	10/21/12	The Big Room at The Sierra Nevada Chico, CA	Jorma Kaukonen
	11/01/12*	Dakota Jazz Club Restaurant Minneapolis, MN	Jorma Kaukonen
	11/02/12*	The Redstone Room Davenport, IA	Jorma Kaukonen
	11/03/12	Stoughton Opera House Stoughton, WI	Jorma Kaukonen
	11/10/12	Fur Peace Station Pomeroy, OH	Electric Hot Tuna	with Bill Kirchen. SOLD OUT!
	11/15/12*	Bell's Eccentric Cafe Back Room Kalamazoo, MI	Jorma Kaukonen	also Steve Kimock
	11/16/12*	City Winery Chicago, IL	Jorma Kaukonen	also Steve Kimock
	11/17/12*	City Winery Chicago, IL	Jorma Kaukonen	also Steve Kimock
	11/18/12*	20th Century Theatre Cincinnati, OH	Jorma Kaukonen	also Steve Kimock
	12/13/12	Zappa Jerusalem, Israel	Jorma Kaukonen
	12/15/12	Zappa Tel Aviv, Israel	Jorma Kaukonen

The special features on the DVD include a photo gallery, the presentation of a Les Paul shaped birthday cake to Jorma and a brief discussion with Jorma and jack about Tuna's most recent release.

If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”



This appears to be a bootlegged video of the concert...not actual footage from the DVD but of the actual performance:

Please check the link to get a licensed copy of this concert with much better video and audio quality.

Loan Me A Dime - Boz Scaggs

William Royce "Boz" Scaggs (born June 8, 1944) is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. He gained fame in the 1960s as a guitarist and occasional lead singer with the Steve Miller Band and in the 1970s with several solo Top 20 hit singles in the United States, along with the #2 album, Silk Degrees. Scaggs continues to write, record music and tour.
Scaggs was born in Canton, Ohio, the son of a traveling salesman. The family moved to McAlester, Oklahoma, then to Plano, at that time a Texas farm town just north of Dallas. He attended a Dallas private school, St. Mark's, where a schoolmate gave him the nickname "Bosley"; this was later shortened to "Boz".

After learning guitar at the age of 12, he met Steve Miller at St. Mark's. In 1959, he became the vocalist for Miller's band, The Marksmen. The pair later attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison together, playing in blues bands like The Ardells and The Fabulous Knight Trains.

Leaving school, Scaggs briefly joined the burgeoning rhythm and blues scene in London. After singing in bands such as The Wigs and Mother Earth, he traveled to Sweden as a solo performer, and in 1965 recorded his solo debut album, Boz, which was not a commercial success. Scaggs also had a brief stint with the band The Other Side with Mac MacLeod and fellow American Jack Downing.

Returning to the U.S., Scaggs promptly headed for the booming psychedelic music center of San Francisco in 1967. Linking up with Steve Miller again, he appeared on the Steve Miller Band's first two albums, Children of the Future and Sailor. After being spotted by Rolling Stone publisher Jann Wenner, Scaggs secured a solo contract with Atlantic Records in 1968, releasing his second album, "Boz Scaggs" in 1969.
Despite good reviews, his sole Atlantic album, Boz Scaggs, featuring the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and session guitarist Duane Allman, performing Fenton Robinson's "Loan Me A Dime," achieved only moderate sales, as did follow-up albums on Columbia Records.

The Atlantic album (SD-8239) eventually went out of print and in 1977, it was completely remixed and reissued on Atlantic (SD-19166). This remix brought out Duane Allman's guitar in a more up-front way, which changed the original mix, drowning backing voices and keyboards (not to mention a weird volume drop at the final 30 second of "Finding Her"). This remix is the version that's currently available on CD.

In 1976, he linked up with session musicians who would later form Toto and recorded his smash album Silk Degrees. The album reached #2 on the US Billboard 200, and #1 in a number of countries across the world, spawning three hit singles: "Lowdown", "Lido Shuffle", and "What Can I Say", as well as the MOR standard "We're All Alone," later recorded by Rita Coolidge and Frankie Valli. "Lowdown" sold over one million copies in the US. A sellout world tour followed, but his follow-up album, the 1977 Down Two Then Left, did not fare as well commercially as Silk Degrees.
The 1980 album Middle Man spawned two top 20 hits, "Breakdown Dead Ahead" and "Jojo," and Scaggs enjoyed two more hits in 1980-81 ("Look What You've Done to Me" from the Urban Cowboy soundtrack, and "Miss Sun" from a greatest hits set, both US #14 hits). But Scaggs' lengthy hiatus from the music industry (his next LP, Other Roads, would not appear until 1988) slowed down his chart career dramatically. "Heart of Mine" in 1988, from Other Roads, is Scaggs' latest Top 40 hit.

Scaggs continued to record and tour sporadically throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and for a time was semi-retired from the music industry. He opened the San Francisco nightclub, Slim's, in 1988, and remains a co-owner as of 2008.

After Other Roads, Scaggs took another hiatus and then came back with Some Change in 1994. He released Come On Home, an album of blues, and My Time, an anthology in the late 1990s. He garnered good reviews with Dig although the CD, which was released on September 11, 2001, was lost in the post-9/11 melée. In May 2003, Scaggs released But Beautiful, a collection of jazz standards that debuted at #1 on the jazz chart. In 2008 he released "Speak Low" which the artist described in the liner notes as "a sort of progressive, experimental effort ... along the lines of some of the ideas that Gil Evans explored."

He tours each summer, has a loyal cadre of fans, remains popular in Japan, and released a DVD and a live CD in 2004. Other releases followed. In 2008, Scaggs undertook an expanded tour across the US.

In the summer of 2010, Scaggs began a tour with Donald Fagen and Michael McDonald. They are performing together as one band billed as The Dukes of September Rhythm Revue. The show includes classic rock, soul/R&B songs by various artists and personal repertoire songs from all three headliners.
If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

Cleveland Blue

Blues artist from Cleveland, Ohio. No other bio found.
If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

New DVD! Electric Hot Tuna Jorma’s 70th Birthday Celebration

Just Released Electric Hot Tuna Jorma’s 70th Birthday Celebration DVD (Austin, Tex.) Jorma Kaukonen’s 70th Birthday Bash at the Beacon Theater in NYC on December 3 & 4, 2010 was a very special night, if not a historic one. There was electricity in the air and cause for celebration as Hot Tuna and special guests (We are talking about guitarists galore!) tore up the Beacon Theatre. Electric Hot Tuna and Friends lit up both nights with straight on rock and roll. It was a celebration of Jorma’s birthday for sure, and a celebration of a lifetime of friendships and musical camaraderie. From the opening credits featuring the fans filling the theatre to the final encore; it was a night filled with thanks to Jorma, Jack and the Hot Tuna family for setting the soundtrack to our lives. A small crew with hand held cameras captured the night on video. Shot in standard definition, the video was strictly meant for personal archival footage. But the concert was so good and music so great that everyone decided it needed to be released. The project was produced by the Fur Peace Ranch and the Kevin Morgan Studio, directed and edited by Andie Walla, and recorded and mixed by Jason Greenburg. (hottuna.com) The Evening's Entertainers Include: Electric Hot Tuna Jorma Kaukonen Jack Casady Barry Mitterhoff Skoota Warner Special Guests: Bill Kirchen Bob Steeler Bob Weir Byron House John Hammond Larry Campbell Michael Falzarano Oteil Burbridge Pete Sears Steve Earle Warren Haynes Produced by Fur Peace Ranch and Kevin Morgan Studio The DVD is available exclusively through: Fur Peace Company Store 39495 St. Clair Rd. Pomeroy, Ohio 45769 (740) 992-9598 http://furpeaceranch.com/store Come Join The Camaraderie: hottuna.com Hot Tuna - Jorma Kaukonen Fan Club www.jackcasady.com www.jormakaukonen.com Twitter @JormaKaukonen Twitter @HotTunaBand

If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

Crazy Blues - Mamie Smith

Mamie Smith (née Robinson) (May 26, 1883 – September 16, 1946) was an American vaudeville singer, dancer, pianist and actress, who appeared in several films late in her career. As a vaudeville singer she performed a number of styles including jazz and blues. She entered blues history by being the first African American artist to make vocal blues recordings in 1920. Willie "The Lion" Smith (not her husband) explained the background to that recording in his (ghosted) autobiography, Music on My Mind.
Mamie Robinson was born probably in Cincinnati, Ohio, although no records of her birth exist. When she was ten years old, she found work touring with a white act called the Four Dancing Mitchells. As a teenager, she danced in Salem Tutt Whitney's Smart Set. In 1913, she left the Tutt Brothers to sing in clubs in Harlem and married a waiter named William "Smitty" Smith
On August 10, 1920, in New York City, Smith recorded a set of songs all written by the African American songwriter, Perry Bradford, including "Crazy Blues" and "It's Right Here For You (If You Don't Get It, 'Tain't No Fault of Mine)", on Okeh Records. It was the first recording of vocal blues by an African American artist, and the record became a best seller, selling a million copies in less than a year. To the surprise of record companies, large numbers of the record were purchased by African Americans, and there was a sharp increase in the popularity of race records. Because of the historical significance of "Crazy Blues", it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1994, and, in 2005, was selected for permanent preservation in the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress.

Although other African Americans had been recorded earlier, such as George W. Johnson in the 1890s, they were African American artists performing music which had a substantial following with European-American audiences. The success of Smith's record prompted record companies to seek to record other female blues singers and started the era of what is now known as classic female blues. It also opened up the music industry to recordings by, and for, African Americans in other genres.

Smith continued to make a series of popular recordings for Okeh throughout the 1920s. She also made some records for Victor. She toured the United States and Europe with her band "Mamie Smith & Her Jazz Hounds" as part of "Mamie Smith's Struttin' Along Review". She was billed as "The Queen of the Blues". This billing of Mamie Smith was soon one-upped by Bessie Smith, who called herself "The Empress of the Blues."
Mamie Smith appeared in an early sound film, Jailhouse Blues, in 1929. She retired from recording and performing in 1931. She returned to performing in 1939 to appear in the motion picture Paradise in Harlem produced by her husband Jack Goldberg. She appeared in further films, including Mystery in Swing, Sunday Sinners (1940), Stolen Paradise (1941), Murder on Lenox Avenue (1941), and Because I Love You (1943). She died in 1946, in New York.
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Blind Racoon/Earwig Music artist: Tommy McCoy - Late In The Lonely Night - New Release Review

I just got a copy of the new Tommy McCoy release, Late In The Lonely Night. McCoy has worked in the past with such names as Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Commander Cody, Lucky Peterson and the Double Trouble rhythm section but here McCoy teams up with his own band, Big Al Razz on bass and Pug Baker on drums. McCoy plays a contemporary style of rock blues pushed by a strong base and stinging guitar riffs. he wrote 9 of the 11 tracks on this release. Late In The Lonely Night is the release opener with soul style blues in the vein of Robert Cray. Karyn Denham contributes vocal lead to Never Shoulda Listened and Liz Pennick does some really nice piano work as well. Language Of Love is a cool funky blues and possibly the best track on the cd. It features some nice backing female vocals as well as some smart guitar riffs by Mc Coy. Dance Your Pants Off is a straightforward blues rocker that has strong commercial airplay opportunities. McCoy demonstrates his guitar acuity and the song moves along really well with great sax honkin' by Bob Saccente in the mix. The release is wrapped up by My Guitar Won't Play Nothing But The Blues, a clever slow loper which gives McCoy another chance to demonstrate his flare on guitar.
If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

Big Song Music Artist: Lisa Biales - Just Like Honey - New Release Review

I have been listening to the new recording, Just Like Honey, by Lisa Biales which will be released by Big Song Music on June 5, 2012. Biales has a great voice for the style of music she sings. She was made for this music. This 14 track release covers such artists as Memphis Minnie, Candye Kane, Ma Rainey and Bonnie Raitt as well as a number of original tracks. Here music is strongly pop oriented with an overlay of blues and instrumentally tight featuring such musical greats as Tommy Talton, Bill Stewart, Marshall Coats,Dave Blackmon, EG Knight and Bruce Hornsby. The recording is very relaxing and is certain to do well across several genres of music listeners. I think that Biales own Gypsy Woman Blues is the stand out blues influenced track with some cool slide work from Talton.
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FPR News April/May 2012

In This Issue New 2012 Workshop GE Smith joins BDW Kickstart Oteil Meet Me in the Kitchen Help Ruth Grace Get Her Ride FRESH CATCH! In May Jorma plays the Nelsonville Music Festival a short piece from home. He then heads off to Italy for some festival dates, some of which include David Bromberg. 05/19 Jorma Kaukonen Nelsonville Music Festival 4 PM Nelsonville, OH 05/23 Jorma Kaukonen Loggiato Inferiore Della Basilica Palladiana Vicenza, Italy Also David Bromberg 05/24 Jorma Kaukonen Folk Club Torino, Italy 05/25 Jorma Kaukonen Acoustic Guitar Festival Fortezza Firmafede Sarzana, Italy Also David Bromberg 05/27 Jorma Kaukonen Auditorium Modernissimo Nembro, Italy In the later half of June, Electric Hot Tuna embarks on a tour along the Mid-Atlantic along Steve Kimock. 06/21 Electric Hot Tuna State Theatre Ithaca, NY * Also Steve Kimock 06/22 Electric Hot Tuna Count Basie Theatre Red Bank, NJ * Also Steve Kimock 06/23 Electric Hot Tuna The Wellmont Theatre Montclair, NJ * Also Steve Kimock 06/25 Electric Hot Tuna The National Richmond, VA * Also Steve Kimock 06/26 Electric Hot Tuna Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE * Also Steve Kimock 06/28 Electric Hot Tuna Sherman Theater Stroudsburg, PA * Also Steve Kimock 06/29 Electric Hot Tuna Theatre at Westbury Westbury, NY * Also Steve Kimock Fur Peace Station Upcoming Performances May 12, 2012 The California Guitar Trio Buy Tickets June 2 & 3, 2012 Tommy Emmanuel Both Shows Sold Out! FPR Workshops May 11, 2012 Jorma Kaukonen with Marjorie Thompson and David Wolff The Entrance Ramp Level 1/2 This workshop will provide a solid introduction to fingerpicking guitar, including development of that reliable thumb so essential to mastering this style. This pianistic style of playing often characterizes the music of Master Instructor Jorma Kaukonen, and is typical also of the great country blues artists such as Rev. Gary Davis, Blind Blake, Mississippi John Hurt and other seminal musicians that have deeply influenced 20th century guitar styles. This special workshop will have a triple threat of instructors, so that participants will receive individually tailored attention. Along with the Captain, singer/songwriter/guitarist Marjorie Thompson will provide expert instruction focused on fretboard navigation and songcrafting, and BreakDownWay maven David Wolff will guide students in the careful rendering of some country blues favorites exemplary of this genre. SOLD OUT! June 1-4, 2012 Tommy Emmanuel Master Guitar Level 4 SOLD OUT! Live From Fur Peace Ranch Broadcast Dates and Performers: Check http://woub.org/listen/furpeaceranch for upcoming performers and broadcast dates. ATHENS, OH 91.3 FM WOUB-FM Friday nights at 7:00 PM Sunday 12:00 AM Monday 1:00 AM CINCINNATI, OH 89.7 FM WNKU-FM Sundays 09:00 PM ITHACA, NY 90.1 FM WITH-FM Saturdays at 10:00 AM You may also listen to WOUB-FM's live stream. Or visit WOUB's Archives. Audio files are updated weekly (excluding repeats). Due to right's restrictions, most programs are only available online for four weeks. WOUB welcomes your feedback! Drop them a line: radio@woub.org. Contact Your Local NPR station and let them know that Live From The Fur Peace Ranch! is available to them for free through Airplay Direct. ITunes New Releases New to iTunes this month: iTuna: 2012-02-25 Lewis A. Sawyer Theatre at The Egg, Albany, NY Fresh Tuna from the recent Winter 2012 Tour. An acoustic trio show. A two set show filled with classic Tuna: Sea Child, Been So Long, Babe, I Want You To Know and new Tuna: Children of Zion, Goodbye to the Blues, Vicksburg Stomp iJorma 2000-02-17 The Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA This is the second show of 2000 and a SOLO Jorma show as well. A killer setlist featuring songs: Ice Age, Vampire Women, Police Dog Blues, Follow the Drinking Gourd, and Water Song Jorma's iTunes directory Hot Tuna's iTunes directory April/May Birthdays Jack Casady Rev. Gary Davis Herb Pedersen Warren Haynes Larry Coryell Stefan Grossman Pete Sears Happy Truam Michael Falzarano Tommy Emmanuel Guy Davis Happy Birthday Everyone! FPR News April/May 2012 On the Passing of an Old Friend Jorma, Justin Guip, Levon Helm, Jack Casady, Larry Campbell and Barry Mitterhoff It's been a week or two now so I am sure you are all aware of the passing of our dear friend Levon Helm. The news that he was gravely ill came from Larry Campbell who was about to make his drive west to the Fur Peace Ranch to teach. The fact that Larry still came while the family watched and waited by Levon's side says so much about Larry. Larry said, Levon would want him to come and he felt it in his heart that he would get back to Woodstock before the inevitable occurred. He did indeed make it back in time. I will say that his workshops and his show with Teresa were the best I had ever seen. I believe in my own heart that he taught and performed for his brother Levon....... The passing of friends is never easy. It is the one thing in this life that we know will come to pass and there is never an easier, softer way to feel the loss. My own experience with Levon was nothing short of divine. I have always known Levon to be touched by great, unforeseen forces...blessed. When he spoke to me, he always reached out and grabbed my hands and his touch was something out of this earthly plain. I will hold each and every time he held my hands in his as something celestial. I know Levon had many struggles and I know he wore them like a crown like Elton John so poetically sang in his song "Levon." I knew a gentle man who spoke soft and sweetly about life and music. My favorite Sunday morning show...CBS Sunday Morning... paid such a great tribute to him. Jorma and I sat there and watched the program as we wept for our own loss felt . Jorma recalled one of the last times he saw him....his last words to Levon, at his studio during a rehearsal before the Beacon shows were, "It was good to see you brother." Indeed...it was good to know you........ Vanessa If it doesn't come from your heart -- music just doesn't work - Levon Helm Music is the language of heaven - Levon Helm New Electric Guitar Workshop Added to 2012 Bob Margolin: Raw Blues: Chicago Style! August 24-27, 2012 Level 2/3 Our 2012 Electric Guitar workshops filled-up quickly this year, and we had a instructor vacancy in August so we decided to add another electric guitar workshop with Bob Margolin. Bob will be teaching Raw Blues: Chicago Style! The guitar sound and style of Muddy Waters and Chicago Blues players like Elmore James, Jimmy Rogers, Robert Lockwood Jr., Eddie Taylor, and Hubert Sumlin were a radical electric evolution of Mississippi Delta Blues in the early 1950s. Some folks credit this music as the foundation of Rock'n'Roll, but Bob believes it stands proudly on its own. For today's guitar players, knowing the language and "tone" of "delay time" and "Old School" (Muddy's terms) Chicago Blues is both educational and empowering for your playing. Bob played guitar in Muddy's band from 1973-'80. Bob will take what he learned directly from Muddy and pass this raw electric Blues on to you. Bob will use live and recorded playing in this workshop, demonstrate the guitar parts of Chicago Blues masters, and be inspired by your questions and individual agenda. You'll learn how to play classic Chicago Blues electric slide guitar parts in standard tuning, Open-G, and Open-E. You'll work on getting a singing yet percussive tone out of your guitar and amp, that you can use to express your Blues with or without effects pedals. Enroll Today! GE Smith Joins Breakdown Way BreakDownWay.com has done it again with three new amazing lessons from our brand new instructor, G.E. Smith (Hall & Oates, SNL, Bob Dylan, Live Aid, Roger Waters "The Wall" Tour.) http://breakdownway.com/instructor/ge-smith *Techniques: 52 minutes of sheer wisdom from a master electric guitarist. * Mercy Mercy: Sing AND play with this great lesson that can really help your skills, not too advanced, all levels! *Chicken: Much more advanced, this one will challenge you for weeks. All these new lessons can be purchased individually ($4.99 per month) or will come as part of your standard subscription. Many thanks for your interest in BreakDownWay.com and enjoy! Kickstart Oteil's The Adventures of Green Thumb and Purple Haze (A new comic book series created by Oteil Burbridge and LeVar Carter.) One of our instructors, and good friend, Oteil Burbrige is currently working on a new side project - a serial comic book - of all things. The Adventures of Green Thumb and Purple Haze is a serial comic book chronicling the trials and tribulations of the titular (twin cannabis superheros) characters and their expanding cast of allies and adversaries. The comic explores themes involving the power of nature and spirituality, the role corporations and governments play in stifling scientific and cultural advancements for the purpose of preserving profits and power, and also what it means to be deemed illegal just by one's lot in life (as it pertains to one's biology, nationality, gender, sexuality, and so on). If you are interested in helping Kick-Start Oteil's new project more information can be found by visiting: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/248525168/the-adventures-of-green-thumb-and-purple-haze Meet Me in the Kitchen An Interview with Brenda Bolin of the FPR Kitchen Staff Brenda Bolin has been here at the Fur Peace Ranch now for a little over 10 years. She came to the Ranch to take over the kitchen clean-up duties and to tackle the dishwashing as well. Brenda was cleaning the dishes back before we had an automatic dishwashing machine. She's always been known for her great work and her great work ethic . . the lady is a hard worker!! Well, she wasn't around the kitchen for too long before some of her other talents in the kitchen were recognized. Brenda is also a fine baker and over the years she has become known as the "cookie lady" . . . for she is the one that makes and bakes all those fabulous cookies that the Ranch has become famous for. She does a whole lot more then just making cookies, for she is also talented with making and baking other fine deserts and she also pitches in and helps cook and prepare the fine food that comes out of the Beatrice Love Kitchen . . . that's what we call our dining hall and it is named affectionately in honor of Jorma's mother Beatrice Love . . . We had a chance to sit down with Ms. Brenda and talk to her about her role in the Fur Peace Kitchen . . . and here's what she had to say: Why do like working at the Fur Peace Ranch? I like working at the Ranch because it has a friendly atmosphere and everyone I work with in the kitchen works as a team. That in itself is why I love my job. How did you become interested in baking as a job? I've always liked to bake! But during my dish washing days, Vanessa had asked me to bake cookies for an upcoming camp weekend. I baked chocolate chip cookies and Jorma made the comment that those were the best chocolate chip cookies made out there yet. Since then I've been the cookie baker for every camp. Where and from whom did you learn to cook? I learned to cook and bake from my mother and my grandmother. Who was your biggest influence? My grandmother. She would let me bake cookies and experiment with baking skills. What did you learn from your Mom or Grandmother that you use regularly in the kitchen? My grandma taught me how to knead dough by hand. Later, I bought a mixer which came with a tool that mixes the dough. Needless to say, I don't make bread the old-fashioned way, any more. What do you enjoy most about baking and what is your favorite item to bake? I enjoy the students' reactions and compliments to the different deserts and cookies being made for them. I don't really have a favorite item that I like to bake. Have you ever had a baking disaster? What happened? Yes (to me it is!) . . . when my cookies turn out too flat. What's your favorite comfort meal? A pork roast with scallop potatoes, green beans, home-made applesauce and rolls. What are some of you top baking tips? Knowing when to take the cookies out of the oven. Different brands and types of flour vary the texture of baked goods. What is the hardest thing about being a baker? What is the best thing about being a baker? Since I love to bake, I don't consider anything too hard to do. The best is the finished results and the happy faces! On Fur Peace concert nights you sometimes stay around to hear the music . . . What has been some of your favorite shows here at the Ranch? Suzy Boggus Lee Roy Parnell Billy Dean Blue Highway Roy Book Binder Don Edwards And of course . . . Jorma What's your favorite style of music and your all-time favorite musician or group? My favorite style of music is Country. My all-time favorite is listening to Tommy Emmanuel. What ingredients should every home have in the cupboard or refrigerator for baking? Flour, sugar, baking soda and salt for the cupboard. Eggs and butter in the refrigerator. Help Ruth Grace Get Her Ride Many of us do not realize it, but the month of May is National Mobility Awareness Month. The purpose of this declaration is to bring attention to and show the world how people with disabilities can live an active, mobile lifestyle. The goal of National Mobility Awareness Month is to educate the public that: People with disabilities constitute the 2nd largest minority in the United States. Over 18 million people in the U.S. and Canada have mobility issues. 6 million of those are veterans. There are mobility equipment manufacturers, dealers, driver rehabilitation specialists and other professionals in your community dedicated to improving the lives of peo Ruth Grace with Vanessa and Izze Kaukonen ple with disabilities. Automotive mobility solutions are available for people with disabilities enabling them to enjoy active, mobile lifestyles To help promote NMAM the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association is conducting a contest to provide Custom Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles to 8 lucky winners. FYI . . . Robert "Bobalou" Benavides, Ruth's father, is an old friend of Jorma's and Fur Peace. (Bobalou played "Gut Bucket" on Hot Tuna's now infamous Sweetwater recording.) Ruth Grace suffers from a early development disease that restricts her ability to walk as well as her speech and hearing. The Benavides are in the running to win a Custom Wheelchair Accessible Verhicle to help get Ruth to/from school, doctors appointments and play dates. But they need our help! You can help simply by visiting this webpage and voting for Ruth by filling out the required info. Thanks for all your help! 2012 Workshop Incentives! 1st 2012 enrollment - Regular Price 2nd 2012 enrollment - save $75 3rd 2012 enrollment - save $100 4th 2012 enrollment - save $200 Offer Expires: November 09, 2012