Hot Tuna (Live)

By September of 1969, Jefferson Airplane had established itself as one of the premier acid-rock bands around. But, like many of their fellow electrified rockers, guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and bassist Jack Casady still longed for the simplicity and comfort of their beloved acoustic blues and folk days. Just one month after playing Woodstock with the Airplane, the duo settled into the New Orleans House, a Berkeley coffeehouse, and recorded what would turn out to be Hot Tuna's debut release. It certainly was quite a departure from their work with the Airplane: relaxed readings of songs by the likes of Rev. Gary Davis, Leroy Carr, and Jelly Roll Morton. The traditional "Hesitation Blues" starts at a leisurely pace before kicking into an impressive double-time passage. "New Song (for the Morning)," one of two Kaukonen originals, shows his growing facility with writing gentle, introspective folk songs. Kaukonen proves to be an effective blues and folk vocalist, restrained and low-key, yet capable of deep emotion as well.