Music. Alcohol. Oysters. Books.

The third studio album by Jorma and John follows the same formula as the previous two companion albums in The River Flows series (2020, 2021). Kaukonen plays lead acoustic guitar, while Hurlbut sings and plays second guitar.

The album opens with the long, San Francisco-themed track Angel Island, written by Peter Rowan. It is very good and poetic, although I prefer the original vocals. The album title, by the way, is taken from a line in this song.

The record includes six covers and two originals by John. Both of Hurlbut's tunes are strong. Day in the Country is rollicking, and Lazy Saint is especially catchy. As for the covers, I think not all of them turned out equally well. I really like David Wiffen's Driving Wheel and the good old Pastures of Plenty by Woody Guthrie. The rest seem decent, though they come across as a bit dull. The instrumentation is excellent, but some songs are too long, and John's vocals do not always suit them. The second side is less engaging, although overall the album holds up well.

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings haven't been touring for a while. The last time I saw them live was on March 1, 2018, when they played at the Fillmore in San Francisco. The show at the Ruth Finley Person Theater, which is part of the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa and holding around 1,600 seats, was completely sold out.

The duo opened with Orphan Girl, one of Gillian's tunes from her Revival album, and then invited bassist Paul Kowert (Punch Brothers, Hawktail) on stage. He played on most of the songs they performed. In the first set, I was especially thrilled to get Cumberland Gap — one of the best songs I've ever heard in my life. They also played a few tracks from Gillian and David's excellent new record Woodland, and my favorite among them was the awesome Turf the Gambler. Gillian picked up the banjo for Howdy Howdy, and David brought out the harmonica on Wrecking Ball.

The second set kicked off with some new material and also featured Gillian's old favorites Hard Times and The Way It Goes. Then came a huge surprise: David launched into Dylan's Dear Landlord, singing two verses followed by an instrumental break that seamlessly morphed into the Grateful Dead's Candyman, before circling back to finish with the third verse of that Bob's song from John Wesley Harding album. Wow, that was something special!

For the encore, they delivered Look at Miss Ohio, one of Gillian's biggest hits, and the old gospel tune I'll Fly Away. There was no second encore, but honestly, after such a great Dylan/Dead sandwich, that's easy to forgive. Though I have to say, I did miss Revelator. Still, that was an absolutely stunning concert — one of the best in 2025, even though the year is still young. So many amazing songs, wonderful instrumental sounds, and gorgeous vocal harmonies.

Set 1 (8:13 PM — 9:03 PM): Orphan Girl, Midnight Train, Empty Trainload of Sky, Cumberland Gap, North Country, Howdy Howdy, Turf the Gambler, Wrecking Ball, Ruby, Wayside / Back in Time

Set 2 (9:24 PM — 10:10 PM): Lawman, What We Had, Hard Times, Hashtag, The Way It Will Be, The Way It Goes, Dear Landlord (v1&2) > Candyman > Dear Landlord (v3), Red Clay Halo

Encore (10:11 PM — 10:20 PM): Look at Miss Ohio, I'll Fly Away

P.S. Word came out after the show that there was supposed to be another encore featuring Revelator, but the lighting technician turned on the house lights too early. Uh-oh.

Opening the show was local guitarist Teja Gerken, kicking things off with his charming new composition Aerogramme. Vicki's Red Boots featured some great tapping technique, and the tune 11:11PM delighted with its impressive melody. I really enjoyed John Coltrane's Naima, played on a 12-string guitar, as well as Teja's The Groomsmen, which had a bit of a rock feel. He wrapped up his set with a short version of Turlough O'Carolan's Sí Bheag, Sí Mhór. A great start to the night!

After a short break, David Wilcox took the stage, opening with the pleasant Start With the Ending. I liked the next catchy tune called We Make the Way by Walking. David's extended set showcased many gorgeous songs with witty lyrics, along with intriguing poetry and some spoken word. And his laugh was absolutely infectious! Wilcox's guitar technique is undeniably impressive, though his music often leans too soft and mellow for my taste — I find it more engaging when it carries a bit more edge. Among the more energetic pieces, I especially enjoyed Rusty Old American Dream — such a great tune! I also got quite a kick out of Ladders and Chainsaws, performed a cappella to the tune of My Favorite Things — what a hilarious moment! I'd love to see David perform again, but wouldn't mind having other musicians accompanying him. An evening well spent.

Set list (Teja Gerken, 8:00 PM — 8:30 PM): Aerogramme, Vicki's Red Boots, 11:11PM, Naima, The Groomsmen, Sí Bheag Sí Mhór

Set list (David Wilcox, 8:45 PM — 10:28 PM): Start With the Ending, We Make the Way by Walking, I Wish You Enough, ? ("it's getting pretty close to sunset"), The Beautiful, Rusty Old American Dream, Show the Way, Eye of the Hurricane, The Way I Tell the Story, Roses, Ladders and Chainsaws, Disappearing Man, Worst Enemy, ? ("switch off my distractions"), ? ("I don't know the next right thing"), Perfect Storm, Deeper Still, The View from the Edge, Spectacular Catastrophe
( Few more pix... )

This acoustic music festival took place at the Berkeley Community Theater in Berkeley, CA, on April 25, 1981. Organized as a benefit for the Seva Foundation by Wavy Gravy — who also served as the event's host — it was entirely recorded by Owsley "Bear" Stanley, who would relocate from California to Australia the following year.

The concert opened with a solo performance by Country Joe McDonald. His energetic set featured the brilliant, sci-fi-infused folk song Picks and Lasers, about a guy mining ore on Mars. He also delivered Slide Trombone Blues, showcasing his skills on the trombone, and, of course, the legendary Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-to-Die Rag, complete with a raucous "fuck cheer" aimed at Ronald Reagan — a rousing way to kick off the day.

Next up was folk singer Rosalie Sorrels, accompanied by guitarist Mitch Greenhill. Her performance was engaging, though the cabaret-style vocals may not have been to everyone's taste. Among other songs, she performed You've Got to Go to Sleep Alone by Jimmie Dale Gilmore and I Remember Loving You by Utah Phillips, both of which resonated well.

This concluded the first disc of the three-CD edition. The second disc opens with Kate Wolf, supported by Nina Gerber on guitar and mandolin, and Ford James on bass. Their performance was truly exceptional — great songs, a commanding voice, and masterful instrumental work. Kate delivered a stunning rendition of The Youngbloods' classic Let's Get Together, with Wavy Gravy joining in.

The recording then shifts to a largely forgettable 20-minute percussion set by Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann, followed by the arrival of Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir — essentially a stripped-down Grateful Dead lineup, sans Phil Lesh and Brent Mydland. John Kahn of the Jerry Garcia Band stepped in on upright bass. Their set featured several traditional numbers, a beautifully understated Friend of the Devil, Marty Robbins' El Paso, which shone in the acoustic setting, and a rare rendition of Oh Boy! — a stellar performance overall.

The festival closed with Odetta. Although her set was recorded, negotiations with her estate prevented its inclusion in this release — a real shame, as it was considered one of the standout moments of the event. To ensure she wasn't overlooked, the organizers included a full article in the booklet about the performance.

Overall, it was a good day with a number of memorable acts.

A marathon concert in support of the L.A. Fire Department Foundation brought together fourteen local acts, with all tickets selling out in just one day. In the first half of the event, Sam Chase delivered a commanding performance, while Sean Hayes and John Elliott impressed with their evocative compositions. Megan Slankard stole the spotlight, closing her setlist with a heartfelt rendition of Simon & Garfunkel's America. Danny Click and his band amped up the energy with a dynamic electric performance, while Shana Morrison delivered soulful renditions of her father's Sometimes We Cry, Sonny Boy Williamson II's Help Me, and Fleetwood Mac's Landslide. Tribute band Petty Theft filled their set with nothing but Tom Petty's biggest hits. In an unexpected highlight, Fantastic Negrito was joined on stage by mandolinist Teo Quale of Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band. It was an absolutely spectacular concert, huge thanks to KC Turner for making it happen!

Time: 12:30 PM — 8:20 PM

Setlists:

• The Brothers Comatose Duo: Pie for Breakfast, Runnin' on Back to You, Tops of the Trees (with Erika Tietjen), Strangers (with Erika Tietjen), The IPA Song (with Erika Tietjen)


• Terrier: Sugar Please, Home Again, Stubborn Man Impossible Lady, Going to California


• The Sam Chase: Crack Your Own Whip, The World Ain't Gonna Spin Your Way, I Don't Play Well with Everyone, All You Fascists (with Alex Morrison, Ben Morrison, and Erika Tietjen)


• Greg Loiacono: Close Your Eyes (We'll Be There Soon), Animal Clouds, Arms of the Sleeping Lady, Bus Ride Blues


• Sean Hayes: Bright on Bright, Sealed Wax, Some Day We'll All Be Trees, A Thousand Tiny Pieces


• Megan Slankard: You and Your Bright Ideas, Just Like Me, When I Was a Bird, America


• John Elliott: All My Friends Are in the Valley, When I Make My Home, It Gets Bad but It Gets Better, Eulogy


• Walking Mirrors: The Fire Song, River's Road, Wave of Worry


• Danny Click: If I Was God, Wait My Turn, Fools Parade, Everything's Alright


• Shana Morrison: Landslide, Will the Circle Be Unbroken?, Help Me, Sometimes We Cry


• Laurie Lewis: Blue Grass Style, How Can I Keep From Singing?, Carter's Blues, To Hell With the Land, 25 Chickens


• Poor Man's Whiskey: Broken Radio, Train to California, Sierra Girl, Whiskey Creek


• Matt Jaffe (not on the original list of performers): The Hellhounds of Alcatraz


• Petty Theft: I Won't Back Down, Great Wide Open, Runnin' Down a Dream, Free Fallin', Mary Jane's Last Dance


• Fantastic Negrito: Bullshit Anthem > Night Has Turned to Day > When Everything Went Wrong > Bullshit Anthem, I Hope Somebody's Loving You, An Honest Man, Plastic Hamburgers, In the Pines, Lost in a Crowd

( Few more pix... )

Барабанщик Роберт "Фрогги" Никсон поиграл в составе групп The Holy Modal Rounders, Michael Hurley's Redbirds, Automatic Slim and the Fatboys, а потом переключился на кинорежиссуру. Один из его учеников снимал документальный фильм о ловце моллюсков с Лонг-Айленда, и Хёрли записал к нему саундтрек. Сессия прошла в январе 1984-го года в квартире Фрогги, находящейся на 6-м этаже жилого здания на Бликер-стрит в Нью-Йорке. Оборудование там было неплохое, запись звучит очень хорошо! Она совсем короткая, десяток треков не продолжается суммарно и двадцати минут. Майкл играет соло на акустической гитаре. Из инструментальных виньеток запоминается тема Lake Chaplain, она сразу вызывает в памяти композицию Open Up, из песен выделяются Vinnie, версия которой, оказывается, записывалась аж для пластинки Armchair Boogie (1971), но в неё в итоге не вошла, а также Home on the Water, являющаяся своеобразным переосмыслением известных CC Rider и Catfish Blues. Традиционные вещи Rough and Rocky и Trouble приятны, хотя последняя ощущается совсем оборванной. Симпатичная музыкальная подборка, но уж слишком короткая. Приложение к 12-му выпуску фэнзина Blue Navigator, для комплетистов, разумеется.

Открывает дуэт Кита Грининджера с Ниной Гёрбер, про первого товарища раньше не слышал, а бабка вполне известная, хотя бы по сотрудничеству с Кейт Вулф и Карлой Бонофф. Открывают песней Джесси Винчестера That's What Makes You Strong, классно сочетаются акустическая и электрическая гитары, поёт Кит тоже весьма выразительно. Очень хорош его собственный материал, цепляет сразу! Фолк и кантри с дозой соула, запомнилась исключительно привязчивая тема She Moves Me, весьма впечатлила лирикой и драйвом композиция Breaking Through. Нина поиграла пивной бутылкой, исполнила собственный инструментал Tootsie's Lullaby. Выходила дама по имени Пэм Делгадо постучать по коробке. После перерыва на сцене колоритно выглядящий Вилли с четырёхструнной акустической тенор-гитарой, с ним два электрических гитариста, контрабасист и драммер. Начинают классным номером Dangerous Beautiful с последней пластинки The Great Western Hangover, её в итоге сыграли полностью. Альт-кантри с влиянием Нила Янга, PotR, Тома Петти, отличные песни, здорово! Порадовала бодрая National Treasure, впечатлила густотой Devil's Taxidermy, понравилась хитовая '69 Malibu, да всё вообще было просто прекрасно! На Knights Ferry выходила Нина с Китом, Пэм и Кишей Бэйли, девять человек оказалось на сцене. Очень понравились все участники. Отличный концерт!

Set list (Keith Greeninger & Nina Gerber, 8:01 PM — 8:56 PM): That's What Makes You Strong, Good Day, She Moves Me, Ruby and Rosie, Tootsie's Lullaby (Nina solo), Breaking Through, Human Citizen

Set list (Willy Tea Taylor & the Fellership, 9:26 PM — 10:53 PM): Dangerous Beautiful, Bakersfield, The Cattleman, Champagne on Ice, National Treasure, Fightin' Man, The Tank's Half Full, Devil's Taxidermy, '69 Malibu, My Wildest Crazy Dream, The Nurse, Wild Buckskin, Knights Ferry, Daddy Taught Me How to Dance
( Few more pix... )

Сэм Чейз должен был выступать перед Джо Пагом в прошлом октябре, но некстати заболел. Сейчас здоров, исполняет грустные привязчивые песни, отлично звучащие в акустике! Лирика у него что надо, фолк-панковский вокал тоже. Отменный разогрев! Выходит Джо, начинает классной Speak Plainly, Diana. Его программа похожа на прошлогоднюю, этим вечером достались аж четыре вещи с нового альбома Sketch of a Promised Departure, из них очень порадовали What Is Good Will Never Change с Brother John (Charcoal on Paper). Снова в сете каверы Джона Прайна и Джастина Таунса Эрла, хотя на этот раз прозвучала Paradise, а не Sam Stone. Сыграл оба гимна, очень хорошо. В прошлом году Паг зажёг совсем, после разогрева от Чака Профета, сейчас было спокойнее, хотя в целом получился очень симпатичный концерт!

Time (The Sam Chase): 8:01 PM — 8:38 PM

Set list (The Sam Chase): The Thing About a Memory, Cold Night, Lady Liberty, Crack Your Own Whip, Chasing Windmills, Rock Bottom Has Never Felt So Good

Time (Joe Pug): 9:00 PM — 10:08 PM

Set list (Joe Pug): Speak Plainly Diana, Look Out Desdemona, I Do My Father's Drugs, No Place a Good Man Can Hide, Nation of Heat, How Good You Are, Deep Dark Wells, Hymn #35, What Is Good Will Never Change, Treasury of Prayers, Paradise, Mama's Eyes, The Flood in Color, I Don't Work in a Bank, After Curfew, Brother John (Charcoal on Paper), Hymn #101, Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think)
( Few more pix... )

В пять часов дня начинается VIP-приём, Сара с командой играют мини-сет, состоящий из трёх вещей, которых в основной концертной программе не будет. Достались свежая Don't Break Down on Me, а также две песни с пластинки Undercurrent, Take Me Back и Take Another Turn, отлично! Также дали постер в подарок. В восемь вечера выходит дуэт The Ballroom Thieves, девушка на виолончели и молодой человек на акустической гитаре, оба поют симпатичные песни. Звучат несколько разреженно и камерно, но не без нерва, здорово! Виолончель особенно порадовала, надо слушать их альбомами! Сара с бэндом начинают в девять, заводят классную роковую Jealous Moon с нового альбома Polaroid Lovers. Много в сете красот, вещицу Annabelle Lee Джероз исполняет на банджо, досталась даже композиция Morning с пластинки Blue Heron Suite. Удалась любимая Build Me Up from Bones, практически унесло от темы Runaway Train, сделали кавер Teardrop группы Massive Attack и дилановскую Ring Them Bells. С Polaroid Lovers прозвучало в итоге девять вещей из одиннадцати, а с учётом VIP-сета даже десять, не хватило только Mezcal and Lime. Прекрасный концерт, Сара великолепна!

Time (Sarah Jarosz): 9:01 PM — 10:34 PM

Set list (Sarah Jarosz): Jealous Moon, When the Lights Go Out, The Way It Is Now, Columbus & 89th, Green Lights, Annabelle Lee, Build Me Up from Bones, Good at What I Do, Maggie, Dying Ember, Jacqueline, Morning, 1000 Things, Days Can Turn Around, Take the High Road, Teardrop, Runaway Train, Ring Them Bells (encore)

( Few more pix... )

На разогреве девушка Белла Уайт с подборкой симпатичных фолк-кантри-песен. Весьма понравился её примерно тридцатиминутный сет, надо бы теперь послушать записи, последняя пластинка исполнительницы вышла уже на Раундер Рекордс, а продюсировал её Джонатан Уилсон. Не переводятся фолк-девушки! Крэйги на сцене в сопровождении Нико Дауссиса на гитаре и мандолине, басистки Авивы ле Фей, а также Лори Шукс с ручной перкуссией, она даже банджо использовала исключительно для подстукивания. Впечатлили уже первые три исполненные песни, особенно порадовала тема Broken с пластинки No Rain, No Rose. А вот разговоры на сей раз показались тяжеловесными, некоторые истории у Джона повторяются, с полгода назад уже слышал рассказы про goo balls и ребёнка по имени Арло. Народ смеётся, конечно. Досталась новая композиция Where It's From, очень порадовали старые добрые I Wrote Mr. Tambourine Man с Talkin' Leviticus Blues. Whenever two men lay together, they should be stoned, ну да, смысл за тысячелетия несколько изменился. На бис с Беллой и присоединившейся Ханной Хаас исполнили I Am California, ух! Песенно всё было прекрасно, но вот разговоры всё же несколько утомили.

Time (John Craigie): 8:45 PM — 10:39 PM

Set list (John Craigie): Hustlin', Broken, Helena, Where It's From, Don't Ask, Talkin' Leviticus Blues, Drown Me, Distance, I Wrote Mr. Tambourine Man, Laurie Rolled Me a J, Nomads, Dissect the Bird, I Am California (encore, with Bella White & Hanna Haas)

( Few more pix... )