Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady initially took flight in Jefferson Airplane, building the foundation for what became known as psychedelic rock, while serving as a primary voice for the entire Woodstock generation.

As some members boarded a Starship, the pair of visionaries fully invested in Hot Tuna, who ever since starting as a side project in the late 1960s, regularly revived the blues within an Americana framework.

Even at 82-years-old in the case of guitarist/vocalist Kaukonen and 79 for bassist Casady, the core duo is as active as ever on the road, stopping by the swanky North Shore Center For Performing Arts in Skokie as part of the latest “Acoustic” Tour, which has frequently alternated with electric outings.
 
The two-act evening may have only featured two musicians, but was nonetheless rich with sound and history, not only highlighting over a half-century of Hot Tuna and Kaukonen’s solo career, but touching on what came before, both in the Airplane and otherwise.

In front of a full house, Jorma and Jack pulled up chairs and started with the former’s ever so appropriate “Been So Long,” moving their way towards Leroy Carr’s “How Long Blues” and Hot Tuna’s “Letter To The North Star.”

The first half also revisited the band’s breakthrough album, “Burgers,” come “Sea Child” and took a “Trial By Fire” in the unplugged spirit of everyone’s Jefferson origins, ultimately wrapping with Richard M. Jones’ “Trouble In Mind.”

The traditional “Hesitation Blues” welcomed fans back after an intermission, finding Hot Tuna diving further into the genre for Reverend Gary Davis’ “Death Don’t Have No Mercy,” The Delmore Brothers’ “Blue Railroad Train” and Walter Davis’ “Come Back Baby,” amongst many more.

A back to back placement of Hot Tuna’s “Sleep Song” and Jefferson Airplane’s “Good Shepherd” scored a sizeable reaction from the North Shore Center, who hung on every word and note the pals performed throughout well over two hours, enhanced by the improvisational expertise that can only come from a life lived on stage and no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

For additional information on Hot Tuna, visit HotTuna.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the North Shore Center For The Performing Arts include “The Lightning Thief” (Apr. 21-22); Betty Haag Academy: “Magical Strings Of Youth” (Apr. 23); Protopsalti & Mpasis: “Best Of Greece” (Apr. 30); Slava Komissarenko (May 4); Micky Dolenz (May 5); Music Of The Baroque: “Circle Of Friends” (May 7); Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus: “On The Big Screen” (May 13); Kaleidoscope Dance: “Here We Go” (May 21); Modi (Jun. 15); Anatoly Beliy: “I Am Here” (Jun. 23); Hermanos De Leche (Jun. 29); Belinda Carlisle (Jul. 9); Mark Tremonti: “Sings Frank Sinatra” (Jul. 14); Big Stage Ballroom (Jul. 15); Benise: “Fiesta!” (Jul. 22); Nino Katamadze & Insight (Oct. 1) and Semyon Slepakov (Oct. 20). For additional details, visit NorthShoreCenter.org.

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