Depending on where you’re living, the leaves are turning, falling or fallen; it’s getting dark early and Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and that means it’s time for another Acoustic Mix. This is Volume V of a series that represents the very best of what I do here at Stormy Mondays, and like all the others that preceded it, it’s a warm, wooden scorcher of a good time.
[Photo by John Rocklin]
First up is David Crosby toying around with a short sound sketch of Wooden Ships, singing the melody for the chorus and accompanying himself–a brilliant little piece of music history that’s followed by WSP with killer, multi-track recording of The Band’s Ophelia. Next is the Grateful Dead with a super rare and totally snaky acoustic version of New Speedway Boogie, and then to balance out the earlier cover, The Band itself with an alternate take of Daniel and the Sacred Harp.
Steve Kimock and his old pal Billy Goodman give a sweet reading of Good Shepherd (Rev. Gary Davis by way of Jorma Kaukonen) from two summer’s ago when they opened a handful of dates for Little Feat. Then it’s DSO, so much in the news today, with Standing on the Moon–their acoustic sets often branched out to cover material the GD never even attempted in a similar format.
And finally, since this mix is all about covers and sources, my favorite version of Hot Tuna, the early to mid ’90s version with Harvey Sorgen, Mike Falzarano and Pete Sears joining Jorma and Jack, just crush Parchment Farm. If you don’t know Jorma, you don’t know Jack. This is as good as music gets, so settle in, pop a cork or cap, turn it up, and as always, enjoy!