Stars in My Crown (CD - 2007)

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 Vanosdale, Pamela Sixfin, David Angell (violin); James Grosjean, Chris Farrell, Kristin Wilkinson, Monisa Angell (viola); Kirsten Cassel, Kristin Cassel, John Catchings (cello); 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, Ann McCrary, Sally Van Meter, Gale West, 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 minimize