Customer Reviews

Stars in My Crown

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The title of my review is from Jorma's liner notes to "Stars In My Crown." He talks about "living a simple life with my music" and as a fan of the man and his music for the last 40 years, I've got to say I've never heard him more relaxed and natural. Remember the albums he did for Relix Records like "Too Hot To Handle?" Jorma was still dancing with a few of his demons then, and it showed (as did the fact that Relix was the ultimate low-rent, low budget label). Fans of acoustic Hot Tuna will enjoy Lightning Hopkins' "Come Back Baby," and the opener "Heart Temporary," a Jorma original, perfectly captures the "bittersweet and beautiful but never sugary" tone of his best work. "Late Breaking News" is more "Burgers"-era Jorma, while The Rev. Gary Davis' "There's A Table Sitting In Heaven" will take you back in spirit to Jorma's earlier Rev. G.D. tune "I Am The Light Of This World." Think of "Stars In My Crown" as a postcard from an old and treasured friend. The fact that Jorma's happy and still making heartfelt, vital music at age 66 is reason to celebrate.

Jorma has cultivated a time honored set of personal spiritual tunes that are uniquely reflective and reverent. His guitar mastery fosters renewed interpretation of old time blues classics as well as leads us to new revelations. I loved how Jorma crafted the tribute to American country blues heritage on his previous recording, Blue Country Heart. The tradition is furthered happily with Stars in My Crown. We are gifted to Jorma's keen jeweler's eye as each track becomes a fine cut diamond. Jorma carves out for the listener an instinctual sound that enlists our trust by building a mutual affinity.

Jorma's maturity as an artist combines intuitive depth with focused simplicity. There are several enchanting new songs to engage you such as Late Breaking News and Heart Temporary. I have yearned to hear Jorma Kaukonen to record more Rev. Gary Davis songs. He appeases that need by including two of his songs on the CD, There's a Table Sitting in Heaven and Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown. Another new song, Living In The Moment places us on the Fur Peace Ranch back porch rocking alongside Jorma in our easy chair.

Jorma, thank you for an insightful series of spiritual tunes that deepens our awareness and embellishes the music of our heart and souls!

Jorma-you've done it again! although many bands rest on thier laurels and cash in on playing ONLY thier most well known stuff (e.g. rolling stones,et.,al.), you play from where your heart is at the moment and that is as honest as it gets. this cd is beautiful, inspirational, and timeless, just as your earliest releases! The only thing left to hope for is a new Tuna album. i ask only because you've spoiled us for 40 years so why not 40 more!!
People-buy this cd and catch this man live.he's a true national treasure!

I know that I'm going to get a few (maybe quite a few) "no" votes on this review. It's become obvious that most people rate reviews more on whether or not they agree with the opinions expressed than on whether or not the review was actually helpful in any way. But that's ok, I'll take my lumps-- it won't change my opinion. And I'm going to say some things that I really wish other reviewers had said.

I wish I could give this album two separate ratings-- one for the music and another for the lyrical content. Musically, it's superb. Some of the finest music Jorma has ever recorded. The musicianship is outstanding, just as I had expected. And the recording quality is amazing-- the close-miked intimacy of the recording makes you almost believe that the musicians are sitting around your living room. From a sonic and musical standpoint this disc is flawless. Beautiful. I just can't fault it on any level. However...

Jorma is obviously a deeply religious man, and I respect that fact. He's always included a few spirituals on his albums, and I've never had an issue with it. But on this release, the religious factor is cranked up to 10. It's almost relentless. I'm not an atheist, and I respect anyone's personal religious beliefs. But as a confirmed agnostic, a little bit goes a long way with me. There is little on the outside package to indicate the overtly Christian theme of this album; you only get a true feel for that when you get to the inside liner notes. While musically I truly enjoyed this disc, the religiosity of the music was so intense that I actually began to feel uncomfortable with it by the second half.

I bought this new release because I deeply respect Jorma as an artist and musician, and I will continue to buy his music. But I bought this disc in a retail store, not on Amazon, and I hadn't heard any music samples. If I had, I might have actually passed on this one. That's really too bad, but it's a fact. A little spiritualism is fine, but as a rule I don't buy nor listen to Christian music. And in all honest sincerity, if I wanted to be preached to, I'd go to church. Please, Jorma, I do respect your feelings and beliefs (and I fully appreciate the spiritual roots of much of your music), and I'm sure that the music on this album is deeply personal and meaningful to you. But I don't necessarily share in those feelings-- I just love good music. Next time, could you please tone it down just a couple of notches?

I have read all of the reviews and so agree with many of you about it being on of the finest musicianship compellations Jorma has put together. Not to mention some of the finest picking that he has done. This is an all-star line up and the production is amazing. Great work by the man Byron House. For those of you who were and are turned off by the song choices and it being to religious, I have to say that I respect your comments but feel you are way off about what Jorma is trying to get across with this album. Yes Jorma is very spiritual, but please listen to this album again and if you truly listen and know Jorma the way you are saying that you do you will see and learn just how clear it is that this is basically his life story or biography if you will...Not a way to push religion down your neck.

Jorma clearly put his heart, mind and soul in to this. When I listen to this CD, I think of the many years that I have followed Jorma from his Airplane days all the way up to now and it is all right there in the lyrics that he is singing.

Great work by a great man who beat the odds of his era and is still here to tell his story!

As always, Jorma pulls out some great guitar work for his fans, and this one is no exception. I'm a fan, and a friend, and I'll probably be a bit biased, but I also feel free to tell it like it is. My favorite is Blue Country Heart and Land of Heroes, and now I have a third favorite "recent" Jorma solo album with Stars in My Crown. For anyone who thinks this is a religious conversion release, they just don't understand what they are talking about. Jorma has always played "gospel" songs in his releases because of his undying devotion to the music of the Rev Gary Davis. Its part of his roots as a musician. His religious epiphany of late was in his Jewish roots, not Christianity, lest anyone think this is Jorma's version of Bob Dylan's Saved album. Great job Jorma, and I hope you record more for us to listen to and aspire to play on our own guitars, even if we try it with flat picks. This is a must-have for any serious Jorma fan and student of fingerstyle guitar, country blues and American roots music.

Blue Country Heart marked a departure for Jorma. He began to embrace a more ecclectic approach to his blues oriented roots music. Covering classics by Big Bill Broonzy, Leadbelly, Jimmie Rogers, Sleepy John Estes, Lightin' Hopkins and Robert Johnson, Jorma began to find his true voice. That trend continues here in the very fine Stars In My Crown. Standouts include Fur Piece Rag, Come Back Baby and the title cut Stars In My Crown. While I'm sure Jorma will continue his long standing relationship with staleworth bass player Jack Cassidy, his partner-in-crime bandmate of Hot Tuna, I certainly hope he will explore further sojourns into American roots music. Like Ry Cooder, David Bromberg, Taj Mahal and Keb Mo, Jorma does justice to the great heritage of many great and often forgotten American songwriters. Stars In My Crown represents all things Hot Tuna and Jorma Kaukonen entusiasts have come to expect....Great pickin', simple understated and heartfelt vocals and a diverse selection of traditional American songwriting.

Jorma Kaukonen has come full circle on Stars in My Crown. At a young age he drew deep from the well that Rev. Gary Davis provided, a man known for his elaborate fingerstyle fretwork. Kaukonen adopted and mastered this style.

Along the way, there was more that he would take to heart. "I was fond of gospel and spirituals," Kaukonen writes in the liner notes of this CD. "My mom had turned me onto Mahalia Jackson when I was a kid in D.C., and gospel music always seemed to be a comfortable place to go."

As a founder of Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna, his music took him down different roads, "but spirituals always seem to help light the way," he recalls. This explains Jefferson Airplane's recording of the obscure spiritual "Good Shepherd," when they were at the pinnacle of their career. It was one of their best songs. Kaukonen's connection with gospel and roots music has always been an influence, but its out in the open on this CD.

"Overture: Heart Temporary," written by Kaukonen, starts it off with a stunningly beautiful combination of music and spiritual reflection. The chorus reminds us of our need for grace: "When the best you have to offer falls short of the mark, self-inflicted holes are piercing deep within your heart." As he reflects on the best moments in life, he sings, "At such a time you think you'd find, a way to show your heart. And though you're reaching for her hand, still you walk apart." This is one of a number of songs reflecting simple but profound insights on life.

The music is acoustic, sparse and in a mellower vein, reflecting a man at peace with his maker, himself and the world around him. His sixty-six years have brought him to the place where he finds joy in expressing himself in earthy songs that have a subtle but spiritual influence.

I can't help smiling thinking about the Lightning Hopkins' blues classic, "Come Back, Baby." There's something about great picking that elevates my mood, and the song contains one-line spiritual references that come out of nowhere. Kaukonen's voice is strong, and the blues licks are amazing. He is in the groove, but this is just a sample of the finger picking that you find throughout this recording.

Hot Tuna collaborator, Barry Mitterhoff, plays on almost every song. Sorry, if you are a Jack Casady (Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna) fan, he's nowhere to be found, but Kaukonen has assembled a group of musicians that would make Ricky Skaggs proud. This is right up there with the best playing found on gospel and spiritual songs. Along with those styles you get a variety of folk, bluegrass, country, blues, and even reggae.

Kaukonen pays tribute to his mentor the Rev. Gary Davis by including one of his songs, "There's a Table Sitting in Heaven." He has also does a dramatic version of "The Man Comes Around," by Johnny Cash. The man in black would no doubt approve of this combination of spine-tingling music and spoken word.

The title song is southern gospel at its best. The CD also includes several beautiful instrumentals written by Kaukonen.

I wonder if many people of faith will hear this recording. My guess is that not many will, which is a shame, because this is a real find. It combines top-notch artistry with gentle wisdom that is quietly compelling.

Those of us who have followed Kaukonen since the beginning (Jefferson Airplane) through Starship through Hot Tuna know that his work stays fresh over time. So it's always a treat to get a new message from Ohio, and this is no exception. His guitar dexterity is unmatched, as is his taste; if you enjoy his voice, too, you'll love this record.

i followed hot tuna from the commack arena in the mid 70's to the present.his style of finger picking still is very impressive and evolving constantly. i have 31 cd's of hot tuna & jorma's solo work. stars in my crown is the only one i am now listening to, it never grows old.