Jorma Kaukonen
Jorma Kaukonen never really stopped playing. He may have been most famous for his relentless improvisational explorations in Jefferson Airplane, he may have achieved greater rock stardom with the tough electric boogies of Hot Tuna, he may have been a hippie icon with solo albums such as Quah but even after all that, Kaukonen kept developing his fingerpicking skills.
In 2007, he released Stars In My Crown, his first release in five years, with notable assistance from multi-instrumentalist Barry Mitterhoff. On River Of Time, Mitterhoff is back, but the ante is raised further with the considerable addition of Larry Campbell on mandolin, cittern, guitar, percussion and pedal steel. Various other talents drop in, most notably Levon Helm on drums. (It was recorded at Helm’s studio, making it easy to call him over to sit in.)
Seven of the new songs come from roots styles. Three are country, including material from the Delmore Brothers and Merle Haggard. Four are blues, including the traditional masterpiece “Trouble In Mind” and gospel numbers from the repertoires of Rev. Gary Davis and Mississippi John Hurt.
Kaukonen wrote or co-wrote six songs himself. “Been So Long” is as rich and evocative as any of his Jefferson Airplane compositions, only without the sound effects; “A Walk With Friends”, co-written by Campbell and Mitterhoff, is gently beautiful. In fact, that song title could sum up the sound of the whole record, as musician pals share their conversational ideas on some relaxed, enjoyable material.