Stars in My Crown

by Jorma Kaukonen

Overview

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

Product Details

Release Date:	03/13/2007
Label:	Red House Records
UPC:	0033651020226
Rank:	60262

Tracks

1. Overture: Heart Temporary
2. Fur Peace Rag
3. By the Rivers of Babylon
4. Living in the Moment
5. Late Breaking News
6. Come Back, Baby
7. Mighty Hard Pleasure
8. No Demon
9. There's a Table Sitting in Heaven
10. When the Man Comes Around
11. A Life Well Lived
12. Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown?
13. Preachers Picked the Guitar
14. Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown?

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Jorma Kaukonen   Primary Artist,Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic)
Fred Eltringham   Guiro,Shaker,Cowbell,Tambourine
Jason Burleson   5-string Banjo
Kirk "Jelly Roll" Johnson   Harmonica
Todd Suttles   Bass (Vocal)
Christopher Farrell   Viola
Chris Brown   Drums
Andrea Zonn   Violin
Kristin Wilkinson   Viola
Connie Ellisor   Violin
Pamela Sixfin   Violin
Barry Mitterhoff   Bouzouki,Mandolin,Tenor Banjo
Greg Leisz   Pedal Steel,Guitar (Electric)
Jim Grosjean   Viola
Mary Kathryn Van Osdale   Violin
John Catchings   Cello
Tim Stafford   Baritone (Vocal),Guitar (Acoustic)
Monisa Angell   Viola
Byron House   Bass (Vocal),Bass (Upright)
Fats Kaplin   Pedal Steel
Ed Gerhard   Weissenborn,Guitar (Acoustic)
Odessa Settles   Alto (Vocals)
Rob Ickes   Guitar (Resonator)
Sally Van Meter   Tenor (Vocal),Guitar (Resonator)
Calvin Settles   Tenor (Vocal)
Jim Hoke   Clarinet,Sax (Soprano)
Reese Wynans   Piano
Shirley Settles   Soprano (Vocal)
David Angell   Violin
Ann McCrary   Vocals (Background)
Phil Madeira   Organ

Technical Credits

Chris Kehoe   Photography
Trevor McNaughton   Composer
Eliza E. Hewitt   Composer
Ernie Hawkins   Composer
Brenton Dowe   Composer
Kristin Wilkinson   Contractor,String Arrangements
Barry Mitterhoff   Photography
Ed Cash   Engineer
Jorma Kaukonen   Composer,Liner Notes
Roy Book Binder   Composer
Byron House   Composer,Engineer,Producer
Gary Paczosa   Mixing,Engineer
Lightnin' Hopkins   Composer
Joe Croker   Composer
Jim DeMain   Mastering
Kyle Ford   Assistant Engineer
Phil Madeira   Engineer