Hot Tuna - HOT TUNA***

Hesitation Blues/How Long Blues/Uncle Sam Blues/Don't You Leave Me Here/Death Don't Have No Mercy/Know You Rider/Oh Lord Search My Heart/Winin' Boy Blues/New Song (For The Morning)/Mann's Fate

Debut album from the Jefferson Airplane spin off group Hot Tuna. In contrast to the progressive psychedelia of the parent group this one focuses more on acoustic blues. (US:30)

“Pretty nice acoustic blues material by Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Cassidy and co. from the early 70s. I’m a fan of both Jefferson Airplane and blues music, but I don't consider this album to be a masterpiece. It offers a lot of good moments, but the biggest weakness is that some of the songs sound too much the same.”

“What a beautiful piece of work this is. While Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Cassidy were truly the guts behind the great sound of Jefferson Airplane, this sounds nothing like them. Kaukonen's guitar playing is flawless and absolutely flows like honey. Cassidy on bass is rock solid going with the flow when the melody calls for it, and hitting in hard when need be. The two players have a synchronicity that's rarely if ever seen. The way the two work together as one mind is incredible.”

“Tuna played bluegrass influenced blues with just guitar, bass, and the occasional harmonica on this one. Jorma has always had an incredible talent for playing this kind of music, and Jack backs him up solidly. Easily the best place to start with this group.”

“Guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and bassist Jack Cassidy play excellently, with Jack's bass lines merging as an alternative lead to Kaukonen's guitar. Both of these rock masters were influenced by folk blues in their youth, and this is a return to their roots for them.”

“Hot Tuna were a band that emphasized musicianship and spontaneity in their covers of acoustic roots blues along with a few originals. This was acoustic blues way before it became fashionable, played from the heart with obvious joy.”

“Wanting to do something besides the Jefferson Airplane tour set, Jorma and Jack returned to the blues with their Hot Tuna band and showed what great musicians, interpreters, writers and performers they really were.”

“It's a great interplay of two soloists jamming and then coming together, each song showing they've played together a long time.”