Kaukonen has a long and distinguished history in the music through his Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna membership. Blue Country Heart returns him to some of his earliest inspirations when he was learning guitar back in the 1960s. Kaukonen was inspired to play by the blues he heard coming from Chicago and from the Delta, and learned guitar from a Reverend Gary Davis fan. This album marries bluegrass, country and blues in a way that makes sense to anyone aware of country's deep roots in blues territory.

To help him in his musical marriage, Kaukonen has employed mandolin/fiddle player Sam Bush, dobro player Jerry Douglas, bassist/vocalist Byron House and, on two cuts, eclectic extraordinaire Béla Fleck. With such expert musicians covering a repertoire that stretches as far back as the singing brakeman himself, this is a pretty safe bet in terms of esprit de corps and excellence of execution. The fellows also manage an atmosphere that is authentic while being modern. In this respect, it is Kaukonen's laid-back vocals that marry country and acoustic blues traditions together, managing a feelingful but laid-back delivery suitable for all musical occasions. --Keith Shadwick