[.ca] Hot Tuna

Greatest Ever:
Yeah, this album gets some votes for best rock album ever -- and there isn't an electric guitar in sight. Too bad Hot Tuna never really revisited this sound -- everything else sounds "produced" compared to the purity of this live album. Although it is a concert of discrete songs, the album really is a seamless tapestry of melancholy acoustic blues.

Interplay:
The interplay between Jorma and Jack is something every musician who plays with others strives for. Good thing this is not listed as a solo album by either artist because it couldn't be. Jorma and Jack may be telepathic or simply think with one mind. They are so in sync with each other you could picture one musician with four hands. Fortunately, they are two people who bring out the best in each others playing and that is what makes this album so special.

Do NOT Miss This One!:
If you are not familiar with this Hot Tuna Live CD, buy it now! This is guaranteed one of the ten best albums of any kind ever. Not a song on this album that I don't adore: perfect blusey-folksy-acoustic music that is evocative of the early seventies, (Vietnam, protest, and OK, drugs) but is still cutting edge. Songs are beautiful, great lyrics, great melodies, just great!

Classic live (as in raucous) set:
The best rendition of "Hesitation Blues" and "Don't You Leave Me Here" I've heard (setting the standard I think for these memorable tunes), with "Know You Rider" as only the dynamic duo of Kaukonen and Casady can play. The atmosphere is captured beautifully, putting you right at a ringside table. The CD has some nice bonuses to the original vinyl too.

A Chamaeleon Band:
Hot Tuna is really four or five different bands comprised of a variety of personnel over the years including Pete Sears, Harvey Sorgen, Sammy Piazza, Michael Falzarano, Papa John Creach and even Marty Balin for a brief moment. But the core elements behind Hot Tuna are Jorma Kaukonen on guitar and Jack Casady on bass, both members of The Jefferson Airplane. I analogize Hot Tuna with the old story of the blind men describing an elephant. Each has entirely conflicting descriptions depending upon which area of the elephant they examine. Describing Hot Tuna (Jorma, et al) produces the same effect depending on which Hot Tuna you listen to. One person will tell you that Hot Tuna is a traditional, acoustic blues band. Another will describe a highly electrified, acid rock band. Yet another may describe an old timey, coffee house folky/bluegrass band. I would categorize this recording under the bluesy Hot Tuna, although there are folky elements as well. This was the first Tuna album I purchased (back in the vinyl days). I was in the eighth grade when I first heard Tuna on the radio. The song was "Watch the North Wind Rise" which is a rock ballad of sorts and I fell in love. Not knowing the title of the song, let alone album, I began purchasing albums searching for that song. This was my first purchase and to my surprise was not the Hot Tuna I heard on the radio. I think "Burgers" was my next purchase, then "Final Vinyl", then "Hopkorv" where I finally found "North Wind". By this time, however, I've become completely envoloped by acoustic Tuna. This is probably my favorite acoustic live recording. Still young, fresh and clean. The "Sweetwater" series would be next if not equal, which includes appearances by Bobby Weir and Maria Muldaur. If you're not into the acoustic sound and prefer a more high energy electrified taste, don't give up on Tuna yet. Give their electric recordings a test ride. Double Dose and more recently Furthurmore are good live recordings with crazy guitar solos and powerful bass reminiscent of the Airplane days, but a tad heavier. Good studio recordings include Phosforescent Rat, America's Choice, Yellow Fever, and Burgers. It's difficult to recommend an individual recording by Tuna as each is so unique. You really have to get them all and decide for yourself!!! I love them all!!! In any event, Jorma's finger picking style produces the sound of a dozen guitars, while Jack delivers a powerful bass line like a lead guitar. Absolutely my all time favorite band. Jorma's solo album "Quah" is a must have. I would recommend seeing Tuna or Jorma live whenever the opportunity arises...

• Hesitation Blues
• How Long Blues
• Uncle Sam Blues
• Don't You Leave Me Here
• Death Don't Have No Mercy
• Know Your Rider
• Oh Lord, Search My Heart
• Winin' Boy Blues
• New Song (For the Morning)
• Mann's Fate
• Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning \o#\c\o*\c
• Candy Man \o#\c\o*\c
• True Religion \o#\c\o*\c
• Belly Shadow \o#\c\o*\c
• Come Back Baby \o#\c\o*\c