Customer Reviews

Land of Heroes

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various recordings from the 60's and 70's.

When Jorma released "The Land Of Heroes" (September 1995) the cynics were quick to come up with two reasons not to enjoy the album. The first and predictable was "Where is Jack?" Obviously, a Hot Tuna and or Airplane fan would want Jack's presence on the recording. This particular endeavor was geared toward Jorma playing with another long time friend Michael Falzarano. The second critique called much of the material not up to standards. That was only because so many of the reviewers and causal fans were spoiled with so many releases that Jorma played on throughout his career. A myriad of them would hook you in on the first note. Not every quality record has the ability to gain your trust the first time around.

If you own "The Land Of Heroes" take it out of the CD case and blow off the dust. Give it another chance. Encompass the beauty and feeling of times far older than the date of the release. If this will be your first opportunity to hear the ten tracks let me tell you about several standouts.

"Re-Enlistment Blues" is one of the finest tunes Jorma has recorded post 1977. You are immediately sent back to the 1940's. Delivered with terrific emotion the track is a perfect opener.

"Trial By Fire" is one of the most requested songs Jorma ever penned. It goes back to the Jefferson Airplane days. Here is a newer take on an old classic.

"Don Not Go Gentle" is a tribute to Jorma's dad (He had suffered a stroke). Although an instrumental, you can feel the creation of words in your own heart.

"Follow The Drinking Gourd" is a song Jorma has performed in prior to the Jefferson Airplane days when billed as Jerry Kaukonen. The guitar structure captures our attention from the first note.

"Dark Train" has Jorma and Michael turn it up several notches. The pure energy makes this justified in being the longest track on the disc.

If you have a bit less than forty minutes to invest, it is a guaranteed return many times over.

Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

one word sums up this album: SMOOOOOTH! (even when it rocks). if yer a fan of the sanfran family bands, or just of blues, this album is a must. jorma at his best!!!!

This Jorma disc really has its moments: Drinking Gourd, Trial By Fire, Have a Little More Faith. This is from the 1990s Michael Falzarano era of the Jorma Kaukonen Band and Hot Tuna, and he makes a significant contribution on the songwriting end, but (mercifully) does not take a lead vocal. If Jack Casady had joined in on the bass, this would have been even better, and in fact it would been far superior to the only Hot Tuna studio recording (so far) since the Seventies: Pair a Dice Found. But as a Jorma solo disc, this is a enjoyable enough. It is a warm sounding set of songs, a little on the short side in this c.d. age, but featuring confident, relaxed playing and well-worn, old shoe vocals. I would put this one way up there in the Jorma catalogue, certainly his best Relix release. If you already have Quah, and the first Hot Tuna album, this would be good next purchase.

You know, this is a good album. It's just not a great album. Jorma plays well, though he's done it before. Falzarano assists ably, but doesn't inspire. Some cuts hit (Re-enlistment Blues, Dark Train), some miss (Judge I'm Not Sorry). The bassist spends all of his time attempting to sound like a Jack clone. If you are going to go to that length to sound like Cassady, you might as well play with him. Where Jorma has had some solid moments as a solo artist, he was at his best playing off of his friend Jack. Together they created inspired music. Even as recently as the Sweetater discs ('93) they still had magic. Unfortunately, this album wanted to sound like a Tuna album but forgot half the recipe. Stick with Tuna...Simon

Jorma Kaukonen once again displays his mastery of Blues Guitar, but does nothing to advance Finnish folk music. The title song, "The Land Of Heroes" refers to the Finnish national epic, The Kalevala, but is actually about his immediate ancestry. Still, a very good addition to his oeuvre.
Highly reccomended.