Jorma Kaukonen [ tickets ] could have gone in countless musical directions when he took the stage on Saturday night (2/23) at McCabe's Guitar Shop in Santa Monica, CA.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, beloved for his work with both early Jefferson Airplane and his ongoing efforts with bassist Jack Casady in Hot Tuna, could have started out with a bit of San Francisco Sound classic rock--perhaps treat the fans to his signature Airplane instrumental, "Embryonic Journey"--or he could have opened the Tuna can and played a favorite like "Keep On Truckin'."

Yet, Kaukonen and his current musical collaborator, amazing multi-instrumentalist Barry Mitterhoff, had a plan for the set list.

"Shall we start with what we discussed?" the vocalist-guitarist queried of his partner.

"Whatever song you start with," Mitterhoff answered, "I'll start with too."

That was the kind of easy-going, just-picking-and-grinning vibe that pulsed through the entire 100-minute set. It was two true masters of acoustic music, playing the songs they felt like performing. The result thrilled the 150 fans assembled at Gerald L. McCabe's shrine to stringed instruments during the 10 p.m. show. (Kaukonen and Mitterhoff also performed at 8 p.m. Saturday, and then returned for two more shows on Sunday.)

Touring in support of last year's fine outing, "Stars in My Crown," which also featured Mitterhoff, Kaukonen has returned once again to his pre-Airplane roots and is playing old-timey country, folk and acoustic blues. It's what he does best, as fans of 2002's Grammy-nominated "Blue Country Heart" can attest.

The set began with a tip of the hat to one of Kaukonen's biggest influences, Rev. Gary Davis, as the duo--with Kaukonen on guitar and vocals and Mitterhoff on mandolin--picked out a fine version of the acoustic blues classic "Canddyman."

Kaukonen sounded strong at the microphone and his fingerpicking, as always, was a marvel to behold as he rolled out such country-blues standards as "Parchman Farm" and "Tom Cat Blues." The Washington, DC, native turned 67 in December, but he seems much younger. Kaukonen obviously still feels pretty young--a point underscored when he mentioned to the crowd that he now has a 20-month-old child.

Mitterhoff was at least as impressive as Kaukonen--probably more so. The acoustic champ was so dazzling on his collection of instruments--mandolin, ukulele and four-string guitar--that even Kaukonen was blown away.

"I'll have some of what he's having,'' Kaukonen commented after one of Mitterhoff's tasty runs.

Kaukonen did a nice job highlighting the new album, especially during a touching version of the gospel-tinged title track "Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown?" Yet, fans never got the sense that he was consciously trying to promote the disc or put the "hard sell" on.

It just felt like two old friends getting together to play music--and if some copies of the new album were sold in the process, then so be it. That doesn't happen often in the music business, unfortunately, which is yet another reason why Jorma Kaukonen remains such a treasure.