Jorma Kaukonen is an American blues, folk, and rock guitarist, best known for his work with Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna.
"Barbeque King" is an album that Jorma Kaukonen of Hot Tuna and Jefferson Airplane recorded in 1980 with his then-current band Vital Parts. It was the last album Kaukonen recorded on the RCA label. One year after launching himself as a solo artist with Jorma, Kaukonen returned in a group context, co-billing this record to the rhythm section of drummer John Stench and bassist Denny DeGorio under the name Vital Parts. The result was far more of a pop-rock album than anything Kaukonen had done before, with faster tempos and tighter arrangements. There was even a cover of "Love Is Strange." But no one seems to have told RCA that they had a potentially commercial album on their hands, and when this album failed to sell, Kaukonen and the label parted company. He would not return to the majors until the Jefferson Airplane reunion in 1989. You’d suspect after hearing “Barbeque King” that he holds some terrible secret over the heads of several RCA Records executives and in exchange for his silence, they let him make records like this. With his band Vital Parts hanging in tough behind him, guitar master Kaukonen turns in one of the most distinctive albums of mainstream rock in many moons. The music is bristling with energy, at times so powerful it’s difficult to listen to. And there is no denying the brilliance of the playing of Kaukonen and sidemen bassist Denny DeGorio, and drummer John Stench. But some of the material, and the strong way it is recorded is almost enough to knock the breath out of you. It is provocative and decidedly different rock and roll. Kaukonen sings with a great deal of echo in his vocals, and the drums are heavily emphasized in the recording. As a result, with Kaukonen’s mad genius keeping things boiling, the album at times will dazzle you. It is forceful and demanding, a powerful album unique to Kaukonen. His guitar and vocal talents range from deep, forboding rock to screaming blues, and he’s hot at both extremes. The title song is the album’s most commercial tune, perhaps one to make radio.
01. "Runnin' with the Fast Crowd" (Wilcey, Denny DeGorio) – 2:52
02. "Man for All Seasons" (Jorma Kaukonen, DeGorio) – 3:34
03. "Starting Over Again" (Kaukonen, DeGorio, David Kahne, John Stench) – 3:16
04. "Milkcow Blues Boogie" (Kokomo Arnold
05. "Road and Roads &" (Kaukonen) – 4:23
06. "Love Is Strange" (Ethel Smith, Mickey Baker) – 3:32
07. "To Hate Is to Stay Young" (Kaukonen) – 3:02
08. "Rockabilly Shuffle" (Kaukonen) – 2:42
09. "Snout Psalm" (Kaukonen, DeGorio) – 3:12
10. "Barbeque King" (Kaukonen, John Stench) – 3:57
Released: January 13, 1981
Recorded: at The Automatt, San Francisco
Genre: Folk-Rock, Psychedelic
Length: 33:32
Label: RCA Records
Producer: David Kahne
Credits
Jorma Kaukonen - guitars, vocals
Denny DeGorio - bass
John Stench - drums
Hilary Stench - bass on "Starting Over Again"
Mike Butera - sax on "Love Is Strange"
Larry Whitman, Steve Huff - back-up vocals on "Runnin' with the Fast Crowd" and "Starting Over Again"
Production
David Kahne - producer, engineer
Wayne Lewis, La'ertes Lee Muldrow - second engineers
Recorded at: The Automatt, San Francisco
Mastered by: John Golden at Kendun Recorders
Bill Thompson - manager
Jacky Kaukonen - secretary
Lora Lovrien - publicity
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