Kaukonen, Jorma - Quah + 4 Bonus (CD)

Original release 1974
Re-issue 2007 U-Turn Records
Digitally remastered + 4 Bonus Tracks

Personnel:
Jorma Kaukonen (vocals, acoustic, electric & 12-string guitar); Tom Hobson (vocals, acoustic guitar); Tom Salisbury (arranger, conductor); Gene Tortora (dobro); Nathan Rubin, Thomas Halpin, Daniel Kobialka, Carl Pederson, Eva Karasik, Anne Kish, Mischa Myers (violin); Nancy Ellis, Miriam Dye, Mary Jo Ahlborn, Thomas Heimberg (viola); Melinda Ross (cello); Arthur Krebiel French horn).
Recorded at Wally Heider Studios, San Francisco, California between 1972 & 1974.

TRACKLIST:
1. Genesis
2. I'll Be All Right
3. Song for the North Star
4. I'll Let You Know Before I Leave
5. Flying Clouds
6. Another Man Done Gone
7. I Am the Light of This World
8. Police Dog Blues
9. Blue Prelude
10. Sweet Hawaiian Sunshine
11. Hamar Promenade
12. Lord Have Mercy (previously unreleased bonus track)
13. No Mail Today (previously unreleased bonus track)
14. Midnight in Milpitas (previously unreleased bonus track)
15. Barrier (previously unreleased bonus track)

Jorma Kaukonen's first solo album remains one of the crowning achievements in his distinguished musical career. First released in 1974, Quah drew on the same folk and blues influences that powered his Hot Tuna project, but did so with a gentler, more delicate touch. Produced by his Hot Tuna partner Jack Casady, the album mostly features just Jorma and his deft fingerpicking, although three songs feature tasteful string-section overdubs. The opening Genesis, a poignant ode to his failing marriage (recorded on Valentine's Day), is perhaps his most touching original composition, while another original, Flying Clouds, is a graceful melody as far from acid rock as one can imagine. There are also two uplifting covers of his biggest influence, Rev. Gary Davis. Originally, Quah was supposed to be a full collaboration with Tom Hobson, whom Jorma describes as a quirky roots performer. Hobson was apparently too quirky for the suits at RCA, since only two of his contributions survived the original cut; though always considered a bit odd by Jorma fans, Hobson's songs have over time acquired a certain charm. The 2003 reissue adds four unreleased bonus cuts: two Hobson vocals, an instrumental duet, and a solo instrumental by Kaukonen. Those who associate Jorma Kaukonen with more jam-oriented projects may be surprised by just how lovely and enchanting Quah is. --Marc Greilsamer

Guitarist, singer, and songwriter Jorma Kaukonen was born and grew up in Washington, D.C., where he first turned to the guitar. He lived in the San Francisco Bay Area in the early '60s, playing backup to singer Janis Joplin in local clubs. In 1965, Kaukonen became a founding member of Jefferson Airplane, which soared to fame in 1967. Though Kaukonen's songs and vocals were not prominently featured in the band, his distinctive guitar-playing was crucial to its sound.

With bassist Jack Casady, Kaukonen formed a spinoff duo from the group in 1970 called Hot Tuna, and this became his primary musical vehicle after Jefferson Airplane split in 1973. Hot Tuna recorded a series of albums on which Kaukonen sang and played guitar through 1978. After that, Kaukonen worked as a soloist and with such groups as Vital Parts (1980), and he recorded occasional albums. Kaukonen reunited with Casady in Hot Tuna during the '80s, and both participated in the 1989 reunion of Jefferson Airplane. A Hot Tuna reunion album appeared the following year. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide