The Legendary Typewriter Tape
Omnivore, 2022
8/10
Listen to The Legendary Typewriter Tape
This 1964 rehearsal collaboration finally sees its first official release, as Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna’s Jorma Kaukonen and Janis Joplin are captured on a reel to reel machine while getting ready for a show.
After the brief, very accurately titled “Are We Taping Now?”, “Trouble In Mind” unfolds with Joplin’s inimitable, soulful and soaring pipes alongside Kaukonen’s very agile guitar playing.
Elsewhere, “Kansas City Blues” brings both grit and beauty to the rugged, bluesy climate, while “Hesitation Blues” takes that lead a bit further with shimmering guitar and Joplin’s distinct vocal acrobatics.
Approaching the end, “How ‘Bout This?” is an unstructured talking, strumming, singing mix, and “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy” exits with a rhythmic spirit that’s vocally firm and musically melodic, and illustrates the depth of both Joplin and Kaukonen’s talents.
This project features restoration and mastering from acclaimed, Grammy-winner Michael Graves, and the originals and blues covers document an intimate time between 2 artists at the onset of their global fame and influential careers. The background typewriting sounds by Margareta Kaukonen actually add quite a bit of ambience to the mood, too, essentially giving the project an even more unique appeal.
Travels well with: The Kinks- Muswell Hillbillies/Everybody’s In Show-Biz- Everybody’s A Star; Dave Davies- Decade