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Guitarist Jorma Kaukonen has accomplished a lot over the course of his 68 years on this planet. One of the architects of the "San Francisco sound" of the 1960s, his tenure with Jefferson Airplane helped launch that band to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Hot Tuna, his side band with Airplane bassist Jack Casady, was an important musical influence on the '90s-era "jam band" movement and remains a cult favorite to this day.

It is as a country-blues artist that Kaukonen has truly excelled, however, the talented instrumentalist that once played raucous blues behind singer Janis Joplin during the early-1960s returning to his roots with 2007's acclaimed Stars in My Crown. Two years later, Kaukonen delivers a similar mix of blues, country, roots-rock, and gospel with the excellent River of Time.

Jorma Kaukonen's River of Time

Whether he's singing an original song or covering a gem like the Rev. Gary Davis' "There's A Bright Side Somewhere," Kaukonen's bright acoustic guitar picking and warm vocals breathe life and vitality into the material. On River of Time, Kaukonen performs the timeless and the timely, an invigorating mix of inspired originality and traditional songs.

There's a lot to like on River of Time. Kaukonen's reading of Roy Book Binder's "Another Man Done A Full Go Around," which adds Larry Campbell on guitar to flesh out the arrangement, lends an irreverent atmosphere to the song's Southern-fried vibe.

Mississippi John Hurt's "Preachin' On The Old Camp Ground," with Teresa Williams' gorgeous backing vocals, is a faithful recreation of the song's old-timey, country-gospel roots. With Kaukonen's subtle, filigree fretwork accompanied by shards of banjo and mandolin, the song takes on a positively spiritual air.

Kaukonen's originals are just as smart and heartfelt as his choice of covers. The title track is a relatively upbeat number with reminiscent lyrics, a throwback sound, and the singer's lofty vocals. With a barebones arrangement and scraps of mournful fiddle, the song is a welcome recreation of Delta-styled folk-blues. "Cracks In The Finish" is a menacing swamp-blues slider with a roots-rock undercurrent, not dissimilar to some of Sonny Landreth's best work.

Levon Helm & the Woodstock Sound

River of Time was recorded at the Levon Helm Studio in Woodstock, New York and the rock legend and former member of the Band lends his skills to a couple of songs here. The traditional "Trouble In Mind" benefits from Helms' steady, shuffling drumbeats and Campbell's tasteful Resophonic guitar work.

Helms' presence also adds to Kaukonen's inspired cover of Merle Haggard's "More Than My Old Guitar." Providing a solid rhythmic backdrop, Kaukonen stretches his usual breathless vocals into a twangy drawl. With some nice guitar-strum, William's fine backing vocals, and bits-and-pieces of fiddle and bass, the spry performance would surely be to Merle's liking.

More than merely a showcase for Kaukonen's considerable guitar skills and diversity of technique, River of Time shines because of the side players the artist brings to the table. Producer Larry Campbell, who also produced Helms' 2007 album Dirt Farmer, acquits himself quite well with his contributions of various guitars, fiddle, and mandolin. Multi-instrumentalist Barry Mitterhoff is another fine talent, his mandolin and banjo fleshing out the songs and complimenting Kaukonen's guitar.

The Reverend's Bottom Line

Time has aged Kaukonen's voice into a warm, deep chestnut grain, his vocal approach to the songs ranging from an energetic whisper to a soulful drawl. Accompanied by his impressive guitarwork, which Kaukonen has honed to near perfection over the past five decades, the songs on River of Time are a near-perfect blend of Delta-inspired blues and dustbowl folk that is lively, thoughtful, and laid-back with a carefree energy that makes the album a real pleasure to hear. (Red House Records, released February 10, 2009)