Quah [Original recording remastered]

Amazon.com
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

Quah,Jorma Kaukonen,RCA,Folk-Rock,Pop,Rock,Rock & Roll,Rock/Pop

Quah [Original recording remastered]

Average customer rating:

Where's the Jacket?
AND BREATHING FELT LIKE SOMETHING NEW
A record you should own
not just an acid rocker
Acoustic Masterpiece!

Quah
Jorma Kaukonen
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

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Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Blue Country Heart
Hot Tuna
Stars in My Crown
Burgers
America's Choice

ASIN: B00007L4P2
Release Date: 2003-01-07

Tracks:

Genesis
I'll Be All Right
Song for the North Star
I'll Let You Know Before I Leave
Flying Clouds
Another Man Done Gone
I Am the Light of This World
Police Dog Blues
Blue Prelude
Sweet Hawaiian Sunshine
Hamar Promenade
Lord Have Mercy (previously unreleased bonus track)
No Mail Today (previously unreleased bonus track)
Midnight in Milpitas (previously unreleased bonus track)
Barrier (previously unreleased bonus track)

Amazon.com

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

Customer Reviews:

Where's the Jacket?.......2007-06-09

One of my first girlfriends embroidered her jacket with the cover art from this classic. I met her in a van going to the old Palladium in NYC to see Hot Tuna - she was dating my bud Charlie at the time. This music is timeless and beautiful. If any one who was in that van reads this you can find me on the web - drop a line.

AND BREATHING FELT LIKE SOMETHING NEW.......2006-02-12

A kindred spirit sent me the Quah cassette a few years ago. I recall playing it for the first time alone in my car, and feeling swept away in what I can only describe as a hynotic swirl of transcendence.
A mystical, gentle, sensual, erotic and loving piece of musical brilliance.

A record you should own.......2005-11-11

Because you certainly will find some good moments, a lot I want to think, to listen to it. Alone or together with your best friend, or girlfriend. Music helps us to give colour to particular days and then those experiences use to remain in our minds linked with the music we actually listened in the period. I have to say that I know, I can assure you that you will want to link some moments, some experiences of your life to the music contained in Quah. This album is special it has a melodic quality that is very tender, very warm, very human. Is is so warm to listen to Jorma and his guitar, playing their hearts out in this record from the seventies. This music is great. It is so american in a sense. I really love it and Jorma play great arrangements on the acoustic guitar. It is one of the acoustic guitar albums I love the most, together with music by Michael Hedges, Leo Kottke, James Taylor, Jim Croce, Ralph Towner, Pat Metheny few more. I perfectly know how different could sound James Taylor and Michael Hedges,Jim Crose and Ralph Towner but the acoustic guitar put them in close relation to me and I enjoy them all. I did buy this album in the eighties when I was a growing musician, a young guitarist hungry for flashy things and so at that time it didn't impressed me that much. I listen to it just once then I forgot about the thing. Now I have bought the remastered cd edition and I find a marvellous album because now that I passed some bad things, I know the beauty of tenderness. Maturity is a nice thing sometimes. Best to you all. Buy this record.

not just an acid rocker.......2005-08-23

Jorma in this setting is an eye opening look into what a great gutiar player he really is. He's a finger picking mad-man, and his vocal style is the perfect match for his playing. I had this recording long ago and lost it to time, but when I replaced it, it was as fresh as ever. A timeless recording that filled a gap in my collection.

Acoustic Masterpiece!.......2004-11-30

I'll never forget the fall of 1976. I was working the graveyard shift at a grocery store and my coworkers and I would hook up the radio to the intercom system so music (although acoustically awful) helped us through the night. The disc jockey who also worked all night would tend to play real mellow stuff from 1:00AM to 6:00 AM. I always thought he had great taste, but my co-workers preferred Ted Nugent and that kind of stuff. Every morning, just before his shift ended, he would play this soft gentle song that spoke softly of lost love and a feeling of sadness. It was very gentle, very beautiful and I looked forward to it every morning. I always meant to call him to find out what the song was, and of course I kept putting it off, telling myself I would call him the next day. Well, one night he wasn't on anymore! He left the station. I called and asked every jock on that station if they could tell me what that song was. Of course, none of them knew it. I loved that song and it remained a mystery to me for nine years. In 1985 a buddy of mine that I would trade albums with brought me over a few records and one of them was "Quah" by Jorma. He told me it was a great album with a great song, "Genesis" on it. I told him I would give it a try when I had a chance. About three weeks later, I put the album on one day and when it started , I turned and stared at the stereo! This was the mystery song I had been seeking for the past nine years! I taped the LP and wore that tape out, then got the CD when that was released. It was so great to hear it without the cracks and pops that were on my friend's LP.

Quah is a magical album. I still play it quite often when I need that mellow feeling. And "Genesis" remains one of the most magical pieces of music ever written. It haunts me to this day.

Average customer rating:

Acoustic Perfection
man of mystery
An album that's never outadated
Fine acoustic music
Compelling songs and fine guitar work.

Quah
Jorma Kaukonen
Manufacturer: Relix
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Rock Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Jambands | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000000ST4
Release Date: 1998-02-10

Tracks:

Genesis
I'll Be All Right
Song For The North Star
I'll Let You Know Before I Leave
Flying Clouds
Another Man Done Gone
I Am The Light Of The World
Police Dog Blues
Blue Prelude
Sweet Hawaiian Sunshine
Hamar Promenade

Customer Reviews:

Acoustic Perfection.......2006-02-20

Kaukonen and Hobson have perfected the acoustic sound, along with Kaukonen's superb songwriting you have perfect musical fusion with this duo. By far the best cd in my collection, my personal favorite out of all of my cd's. If you like music then you'll like this guaranteed, unbelievable, definitely one of the best if not the best album ever recorded in my opnion.

man of mystery.......2005-01-12

check out tomhobson.com for more about tom, about whom too little is known. He was many things but NOT, to my knowledge, a bassist, as described above.

An album that's never outadated.......2002-05-08

This is an album that I had on vinyl many years ago. I thought of it one day after seeing a Hot Tuna CD in a local record store, so decided to pull it out of the archives to see how it sounded after all these years. Aside from the snap, crackle, pop of old vinyl and a worn stylus, I found I loved the album as much as I ever did, if not more. The hunt began. I found it at a small, obscure shop, in the town I live in. I listen to it several times a week. Now I'm hungry for more. There'll never be another Quah, but Jorma's fine acoustic blues picking and warm, earthy voice shine through in all of his work. I am looking foreaward to the release of his new CD, and am glad to know that he's still around, sharing his talent with all of us.

Fine acoustic music.......1999-06-16

This is one of those albums which stay with you over the years. I've been listening to this work now for some 24 years and it's still as fresh, new, and satisfying as the day when it was first released. It features some of Jorma Kaukonen's finest, most thoughtful and exquisitely executed guitar work, poetic lyrics and memorable, haunting melodies melded together in a number of fine original songs, and a number of covers that are just as good as they can get. Also added are the vocal talents of bassist Tom Hobson on two of the songs on the B-side. Devotees of wooden music, San Fransisco music, all music, will find this album a delight.

Compelling songs and fine guitar work........1999-05-13

The whole collection is great, but the first song, "Genesis", is outstanding. I can listen to it over and over.