Ebook Been So Long My Life and Music Jorma Kaukonen Grace Slick 9781250125484 Books
Download As PDF : Been So Long My Life and Music Jorma Kaukonen Grace Slick 9781250125484 Books
"A modern parable." ―from the foreword by Grace Slick
“Jorma Kaukonen is a force in American music, equally adept at fingerpicked acoustic folk and blues as he is at wailing on an electric.†– Acoustic Guitar
“Jorma Kaukonen lit a fuse and transformed his electric guitar into a firework.†– Live For Live Music
Includes a CD of live music as a companion to the book!
From the man who made a name for himself as a founding member and lead guitarist of Jefferson Airplane comes a memoir that offers a rare glimpse into the heart and soul of a musical genius―and a vivid journey through the psychedelic era in America.
“Music is the reward for being alive,†writes Jorma Kaukonen in this candid and emotional account of his life and work. “It stirs memory in a singular way that is unmatched.†In a career that has already spanned a half century―one that has earned him induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, among other honors―Jorma is best known for his legendary bands Jefferson Airplane and the still-touring Hot Tuna. But before he won worldwide recognition he was just a young man with a passion and a dream.
Been So Long is the story of how Jorma found his place in the world of music and beyond. The grandson of Finnish and Russian-Jewish immigrants whose formative years were spent abroad with his American-born diplomat father, Jorma channeled his life experiences―from his coming-of-age in Pakistan and the Philippines to his early gigs with Jack Casady in D.C. to his jam sessions in San Francisco with Jerry Garcia, Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan, and other contemporaries―into his art in unique and revelatory ways. Been So Long charts not only Jorma’s association with the bands that made him famous but goes into never-before-told details about his addiction and recovery, his troubled first marriage and still-thriving second, and more. Interspersed with diary entries, personal correspondence, and song lyrics, this memoir is as unforgettable and inspiring as Jorma’s music itself.
Ebook Been So Long My Life and Music Jorma Kaukonen Grace Slick 9781250125484 Books
"Jorma (Jerry), thank you for sharing. The honesty and courage to face yours fears, to pass along failures and successes, to publicly describe emotions “normal†people would deny is inspiring. Others have written surface stories about the times, the revolution, the people, the events. You have written about the struggle to fit in, to be yourself, to exist in a conflicted world. Thank you for your music. For my selfish reasons, I am glad you were here long enough for me to see you in a solo concert."
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Been So Long My Life and Music Jorma Kaukonen Grace Slick 9781250125484 Books Reviews :
Been So Long My Life and Music Jorma Kaukonen Grace Slick 9781250125484 Books Reviews
- I've always loved Jorma's music and he brings it to life here, with his family's cultural, professional and educational history, Jack Casady and part of the Airplane story coming to life. Actually, it's more about the former and the Tuna work than the 'on the road' details or Airplane track by track, concert by concert stuff - which is fine, since this is a more accurate reflection of his art and experience. The Airplane stuff is almost secondary - fair enough. He also is honest and clear-eyed about his typical rock trials of drugs, alcohol and rehab. It's very detailed and specific, but - and this didn't strike me until I started feeling a bit overwhelmed and disinterested midway through - it's strongly distanced and unemotional about whole tale. Fair enough - but not a great read, even for a musical fan.
- Fans of Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna and the 60s San Francisco scene will be left yearning for more - this memoire doesn't offer up a lot of insider anecdotes or tales of iconic events, just cursory 'I was there' type of reflections - it's really more of one man's sonewhat wistful, melancholic jog down memory lane. Nothing much about Grace Slick or all those iconic characters - it's really Kaukonen's family history, his childhood, and not much about what we fans were hoping for - but it IS his story and he had every right to tell it as he saw fit. I'd be lying if I said I was satisfied with this memoire. I skipped over the pages and pages of car/motorcycle talk - haha.
- Really a far more boring read than the subject matter might indicate. Jorma could have used a solid editor/co writer as the book doesn't flow well, his reflections are repetitive, and there are many missed opportunities to add clarifying information or insights. Would have been nice to have more photos and what about some pics of Margareta's art? And beyond his many statements about his 'best friend Jack' he doesn't at all describe Jack's deep musical contributions. Wow. Really?
He gives much credit to his wife Vanessa, and is clearly at a good place in his life, something he more than deserves as a pivotal figure in American music. And true to his roots, you'll find spends plenty of time playing the songs he loves and teaching others.
The story is his own and here it it. Unlike some tomes from my favorite 60s musicians, I won't be reading this twice. - Jorma (Jerry), thank you for sharing. The honesty and courage to face yours fears, to pass along failures and successes, to publicly describe emotions “normal†people would deny is inspiring. Others have written surface stories about the times, the revolution, the people, the events. You have written about the struggle to fit in, to be yourself, to exist in a conflicted world. Thank you for your music. For my selfish reasons, I am glad you were here long enough for me to see you in a solo concert.
- I found Jorma's work boring. Where are the Airplane stories? How many drunk stories do we have to endure. What about Jack Cassidy? He receives short shrift.
I had high expectations, but I would sell the book for $1.00 if offered.
LL - Jorma Kaukonen is best known for the music he created with the Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna, among others and his collection of solo performances available on CD. This book goes beyond the music which teases always in the background and crosses into real life beginning in the 1950's to present day. Mr. Kaukonen shares his diary entries, his lyrics, poetry, musings on life and even his music with a CD included in the back of the book. It is his life story, the adventures, the challenges, the success and the failures that he does not gleam over but honestly puts out there for all to see. The confessions of St. Augustine or Rousseau pale over some of the life lessons that Kaukonen shares with his readers. There is also the history of the music that starts in his high school years with Jack Cassady to college where he met Janis Joplin, Paul Kantner, David Freiberg and many other people that come and go in his life same as people come and go in all of our lives. He takes us through the years of the Airplane and Hot Tune, from start to finish and all the bands and people in between. He shares with us the words of his Grandfather in a letter he only discovered recently that impacts him greatly. Kaukonen reminisces with his and Cassidy's last dinner with Paul Kantner in San Francisco and how lives long road twists and turns for all of us. Many people will be able to relate to the trials and tribulations Mr Kaukonen has faced as many if not all of those we too have journeyed down. People will be able to relate to this book in their own personal life journey. But it does not end there. His voyage continues with his Fur Peace Ranch in Ohio and his music and touring. People might want to clip the recent newspaper story of his reflections when told Marty Balin had passed as it is a continuation of the Saga depicted by his book. A wonderful read and history of a time that gets short shifted and twisted by many but not by Jorma Kaukonen. Buy this book and listen to the music.
- A thorough & honest memoir from a charming & humble man. As a big fan of both Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna, I pre-ordered this as soon as it was available.
- I always respected Jorma as a musician and after reading his book it only strengthens that respect. I remember hearing “Yellow Fever†by Hot Tuna on the Skidmore College radio station years ago and I RAN out to buy the album. This book started me on a spree of finding CD’s by Jorma & JA that I didn’t already have. Support Jorma by doing the same!
I also loved bonus CD included in the book!
That you Jorma!!!!!!!
