Search - Hot Tuna :: Live at Sweetwater

Hot Sweet Tuna!

Nicholas J. Guetti | 11/20/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first saw Hot Tuna play the Pine Street Theater in Portland, OR on New Year's Eve '87-'88 and they were my favorite band for the next five years or so. They still are one of my favorites, but back then it was just Jorma Kaukonen (fingerstyle acoustic guitar & vocal) & Jack Cassady (bass) and I will never fully get past that period. "Live at Sweetwater" is a take from Tuna's transitional period between that lineup and the present fully electric one. I saw a show from around this period, and the CD made me look forward to it with high hopes. Unfortunately, the show REALLY ...... Fortunately, it was nothing like the CD. Regardless, I don't like Michael Falzarano (rhythm guitar, vocals, mandolin) as a musician, and maintain that his addition to the band was a very weird decision.Nevertheless, this is my favorite acoustic Tuna release that I've listened to so far. Pete Sears (now also part of the regular lineup) shines like a crystal waterfall on piano, and Jorma & Jack sound better than a sigh blown away by a cool evening summer breeze. Many of the songs are Tuna standards, and I won't bother to review them all individually; suffice it to say that this should be the one you get if you only get one. Some unusual (for Tuna) blues songs include Rev. Gary Davis's "Great Change", my all-time favorite version of "Down and Out", "Trouble in Mind" and a startling Dylan song, "Maggie's Farm" featuring Maria Muldaur (who is sadly patronized in that she only sings backup) and the Grateful Dead's Bob Weir on lead vocal! 'Nuff said. Grab it immediately, Tuna fans and good music enthusiasts alike!"