JORMA...JORMA...Wow, saw Hot Tuna last night. He Jack Casady and the band played 1/12 hrs of acoustic and then 1 hr of electric. The guitar work was other world good...his voice was as smooth as ever...he's been sober for over 15ys and it's a revelation how good these guys are when they are free of beer, booze and assorted hallucinogens.

"keep on truckin' mama...truck my blues away..."

Posted by: The Iceman | Nov 26, 2005 1:48:17 PM

Iceman - I am so jealous - I love Hot Tuna!!

Where were they playing?

Contemplating going to see Aztec Two Step tonight at the Sanctuary Concert Series - check them out, they have good music - they just moved from Berkeley Heights to 2 locations, 1 in Summit or Chatham (I get them confused) and 1 in Morristown.

Posted by: Anne Prince | Nov 26, 2005 3:02:23 PM

I saw them at the Tabernacle in Denville, NJ...I have seen Aztec countless times but not in the last 15 yrs...they completely left my consciousness. I will check them out again. But one of my resolutions in 2006 is to see a band where them members are under 50!

Posted by: The Iceman | Nov 26, 2005 3:19:15 PM

Never heard of the Tabernacle - do they have a web page or are they connected to any concert series?

I don't know.....it might be next to impossible to see any group under 50 these days! At least it seems that way for all of the musicians that I enjoy!

Posted by: Anne Prince | Nov 26, 2005 3:27:41 PM

Dude! I'm going to see Tuna tonite at the Beacon. It's a rare year when I don't see them at least once, dating back to 1970.

That Tabernacle show always sells out before I know about it. I finally put self on their email list - too late for this year, as usual.

http://www.atthetabernacle.com/

But the Beacon show always rocks.

Posted by: crank | Nov 26, 2005 3:46:35 PM

It's Your Nickel...

Boy -- I hardly recall those days when an 'enclosed' telephone booth with those accordion doors took but a nickel for a local call.

And there was a 'live' operator to assist you!

Posted by: Franklin | Nov 26, 2005 4:29:21 PM

Crank,
Jack can still 'crank' out the bass lines...serious...and is there a better acoustic player than the man?

Posted by: The Iceman | Nov 26, 2005 4:29:28 PM

Saw Arlo Guthrie last night at the PAC. All I can say is WOW! What a great concert.

His daughter Sarah Lee Guthrie and her husband John opened, followed by The Mammals (lead singer and guitarist is Tao Rodriguez-Seeger, Pete Seeger's son or grandson...not sure)...they are a great folk-blues-rock band...almost better than Arlo.

And as for Arlo, still the great storyteller, and I'm convinced 'Alice's Restaurant' never grows old at Thnaksgiving.

Posted by: Ms Sumida | Nov 26, 2005 4:54:55 PM

Ms Sumida - it was an awesome concert wasn't it?

Did you not love the "Bush" song that the Mammals did?

I was commenting to my husband and friends that it was nice to see some "younger" folks be so involved.

Posted by: Anne Prince | Nov 26, 2005 4:57:54 PM

Iceman,

Jack & Jorma changed my view of electric instruments back in 1966 with the Airplane. Pioneers, & still the best.

Posted by: crank | Nov 26, 2005 5:41:25 PM

SO wanted to see Arlo! Have loved him since the 60's. Saw him once decades ago. Couldn't help myself on Thursday - I hummed or sang what I could remember of Alice's Restaurant all day. Does any one recall the song about the motor'sickle'? "I don't want a nickel...just want to ride my MOTORsickel..."

Have a nephew into trains and two years ago found a book based on "City of New Orleans". Little guy couldn't get enough of the book or the song - even with me singing it.

God love Arlo Guthrie. Wish I could have been there!

Posted by: Karen | Nov 26, 2005 10:18:27 PM

"And I don't wanna die
I just wanna ride on my motorcy. . . cle."

Posted by: l | Nov 26, 2005 10:36:59 PM

Big News at the edge of Baristaville - the Gulf Station on Valley Rd. in Clifton (across from Alexis Steakhouse - just past Montclair State U) has regular unleaded for.....$1.99 This is a BIG deal

Posted by: BigDog | Nov 26, 2005 11:47:37 PM

wow - $1.99? what a find.

i think we found our least fave restaurant in montclair. [email protected] UGH! Four of us went and our meals were atrociously bad!

Posted by: Butch | Nov 27, 2005 12:53:59 AM

Difference between Tuna at the Beacon vs. the Tabernacle is that in NYC you get an hour's acoustic set & 90 minutes of electric.

Can't Get Satisfied, Come Back Baby, Bowlegged Woman.... They brought the funk tonight. God bless 'em.

Posted by: crank | Nov 27, 2005 1:30:31 AM

I'm fairly certain that I will catch heat for this one, but is there ANY place in the greater Montclair area where someone can get a good breakfast without having to listen to screeching children?

When I was little, my parents acquainted me with the vestibules of most dining establishments in Northern NJ when I acted up. It wasn't long until I realized that it's much more fun to be inside and therefore should refrain from sounds akin to dog whistles and/or sonic booms.

Please don't make me have to attempt fruit-filled anything on my own. I'm bound to blow something up and would much rather have my money go toward a local establishment than to a burn unit.

Posted by: Enjoy the Silence | Nov 27, 2005 9:52:11 AM

My favorite Hot Tuna song was "Hit Single #1" because of the opening guitar chords.

Saw Jorma as a solo act in the early-to-mid 80's. Didn't know they still toured!

Funny to wake up and read about Hot Tuna this a.m. because I stayed up late last night watching "The Grateful Dead Movie" on PBS, of all places. Yes, the Grateful Dead generation is now old enough to be targeted for PBS fund raising.

My favorite part of the movie last night was the "Space" jam. I never enjoyed that part live, but now with the passage of time, I am able to appreciate what they were doing there -- the improvisation and the masterful, almost imperceptible way they segued out of that and into "Playing in the Band".

Posted by: skippy | Nov 27, 2005 10:00:42 AM

Enjoy the silence-
Thank you for taking the bullet- it's not only at breakfast mind you, but lunch and dinner too!
I admire your bravery for treading on the nerves of the indulgent parental class who find exhibiting common courtesy to fellow diners akin to well... nuclear warfare. And now that you started it, don't you just love the SUV driving moms and dads with "kids on board" stickers talking on the cell phones while driving/racing through red lights and making right on red turns where there are no turns permitted? How's that for Sunday morning fodder? By the way, no suggestions.. except go really early to the diner.

Posted by: Maureen- a Bloomfield resident | Nov 27, 2005 10:09:34 AM

I agree. Child-free breakfast places are tough to find, esp. in this famblee-oriented part of NJ. You can try to scope out places first. A dead giveaway is a place that offers booster seats or crayons--steer clear!

Sometimes trying a place that's a little more upscale is good, although not a given. Also, when I was a kid it was unheard of to bring kids into establishments that serve liquor. Today, it's all too commonplace. I've even seen kids eating AT the bar! But when I saw little ones at the Meadowlands Racetrack--at midnight, no,less--I knew that we had crossed the line about what's acceptable and what's not.

Posted by: Miss Martta | Nov 27, 2005 11:06:55 AM

Crank and Skippy,
Rhino records has just released a new Doors live album recorded live in 1970 at Philly. There are supposed to be powerful versions of 'when the music's over' and 'roadhouse blues'.

'wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world...'

Posted by: The Iceman | Nov 27, 2005 11:07:35 AM

I've got to say, the Arlo Guthrie audience was one of the strangest I've ever seen...not just the age range, from teens to those in thier 70's and 80's, but all types as well. From aging hippies to boomers to 40 somethings to teens, and all dressed every which way-jeans, sweats, jackets and ties, dresses...you name the style it was there.

The Mammals were so good, I just bought thier CD at Borders. When they played the song 'Bush Boys' a few people walked out that were sitting in front of us...too bad, as they seem to have lost thier sense of humor.

The only complaint I had...I was sitting a a row of morbidly obese people and squished like a sardine...

Posted by: MsSumida | Nov 27, 2005 11:35:33 AM

Thank you, Maureen and Miss Martta.

If I learn of any such places, I'll let you know. Until then, I will try to factor earplugs into my dining ensembles.

Posted by: Enjoy the Silence | Nov 27, 2005 11:44:21 AM

And Maureen, I would get started with the SUV rant, but you pretty much summed it all up.

An uncle of mine once said that he wanted to get a sticker on his car that read, "No Baby on Board, So Take Your Best Shot."

Posted by: Enjoy the Silence | Nov 27, 2005 11:47:26 AM

From "Kids Gone Wild" (a.k.a. "Parents Gone Wild") in today's NY Times:

"Parenting today is also largely about training children to compete - in school and on the soccer field - and the kinds of attributes they need to be competitive are precisely those that help break down society's civility.

"Parents who want their children to succeed more than anything ... teach them to value and prioritize achievement above all else - including other people."

Posted by: Chris | Nov 27, 2005 12:12:19 PM

"No Baby on Board, So Take Your Best Shot."

Priceless!

Posted by: Miss Martta | Nov 27, 2005 12:14:53 PM