Stars in My Crown

Rating

Album: Stars in My Crown
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Heart Temporary	More Info...	0:05
2)	Fur Peace Rag	More Info...	0:03
3)	By the Rivers of Babylon	More Info...	0:05
4)	Living in the Moment	More Info...	0:04
5)	Late Breaking News	More Info...	0:03
6)	Come Back Baby	More Info...	0:05
7)	Mighty Hard Pleasure	More Info...	0:03
8)	No Demon	More Info...	0:03
9)	There's A Table Sitting In Heaven	More Info...	0:04
10)	When The Man Comes Around	More Info...	0:04
11)	A Life Well Lived	More Info...	0:04
12)	Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown?	More Info...	0:04
13)	Preacher Picked The Guitar	More Info...	0:03
14)	Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown? (Instrumental)	More Info...	0:01

Album: Stars in My Crown
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Heart Temporary	More Info...	0:05
2)	Fur Peace Rag	More Info...	0:03
3)	By the Rivers of Babylon	More Info...	0:05
4)	Living in the Moment	More Info...	0:04
5)	Late Breaking News	More Info...	0:03
6)	Come Back Baby	More Info...	0:05
7)	Mighty Hard Pleasure	More Info...	0:03
8)	No Demon	More Info...	0:03
9)	There's A Table Sitting In Heaven	More Info...	0:04
10)	When The Man Comes Around	More Info...	0:04
11)	A Life Well Lived	More Info...	0:04
12)	Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown?	More Info...	0:04
13)	Preacher Picked The Guitar	More Info...	0:03
14)	Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown? (Instrumental)	More Info...	0:01

Performer Notes

Personnel: Jorma Kaukonen (acoustic guitar); Todd Suttles, Byron House (bass voice); Ed Gerhard, Tim Stafford (acoustic guitar); Greg Leisz (electric guitar); Fats Kaplin (pedal steel guitar); Rob Ickes (resonator guitar); Barry Mitterhoff, Jason Burleson (banjo); Shawn Lane (mandolin); Connie Ellisor, Andrea Zonn, Mary Kathryn Van Osdale, Pamela Sixfin, David Angell (violin); James Grosjean, Christopher Farrell , Kristin Wilkinson, Monisa Angell (viola); Kirsten Cassel, Kristin Cassel, John Catchings (cello); Kirk "Jelly Roll" Johnson (harmonica); Jim Hoke (soprano saxophone); Reese Wynans (piano); Phil Madeira (Hammond b-3 organ); Chris Brown (drums); Fred Eltringham (cowbells); Henry House, Lily Mitterhoff, Maya Mitterhoff, Tessa Mitterhoff, Truman House, Shirley Settles, Gale West, Ann McCrary, Sally Van Meter, Calvin Settles, Odessa Settles (background vocals).
It's interesting the way things go in circles. In the early '60s, Jorma Kaukonen (or Jerry, as he was then) played blues guitar in the coffeehouses of the South Bay Area, sometimes with Janis Joplin. Now, after stints with Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna, he's back to his first love, mixing blues, gospel, and country, backed by some excellent musicians. It's a blissful self-indulgence, laid-back but still quite heartfelt, although it has to be said that not all his material meets the standards ("Heart Temporary" is a decent opener, but not in the same class as "No Demon" or Johnny Cash's "The Man Comes Around"), although "A Life Well Lived" is a lovely piece of work. There are some excellent covers, a couple from the Rev. Gary Davis, and a delicious version of "By the Rivers of Babylon." As you'd expect, after four and a half decades, Kaukonen can pick a mean guitar, but he's content to let others take the lead role, especially Barry Mitterhoff's mandolin work. All in all, it makes for a great package, one to be savored over and over for its gentle, soulful heart. ~ Chris Nickson

Professional Reviews

Down Beat (p.73) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "The Hot Tuna mainstay sings charmingly, [and] plays acoustic guitars larded with hushed conviction...."

Dirty Linen (p.49) - "[T]he contentment that Kaukonen has found in his life shines through STARS IN MY CROWN, which is one of the high points of the guitarist's long and accomplished career."

Living Blues (p.89) - "Kaukonen can still turn a Lightnin' Hopkins or Rev. Gary Davis cover with great feeling, and he delivers a couple of lightly swinging originals with charm and flair."

Living Blues (p.47) - "Throughout this relaxed and honest set Kaukonen gives his band members plenty of room in which to express their own individual personalities."