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HOT TUNA IN CONCERT:
Blues rockers Hot Tuna may have come into being incidentally, but it's no accident that they continue to sell out tours year after year. Formed as a side project by members of Jefferson Airplane while frontwoman Grace Slick was recovering from throat surgery, the band quickly attained an identity of its own, outlasting its forebear and going on to achieve considerable success. The band has always been a live act first and foremost -- they've released more live albums than studio albums -- and they'll continue to bring down the house on their upcoming tour as they treat fans to classics like "Hesitation Blues" and "Hit Single #1."
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
At the height of Jefferson Airplane's success in the late '60s, the band took a break from touring as lead singer Grace Slick recovered from vocal cord surgery. Eager to continue playing during the hiatus, several of the band's members began performing as Hot Tuna, covering blues classics alongside Jefferson Airplane favorites. Eventually achieving its own identity with original material, Hot Tuna continued to be a powerful live force as the band that spawned it waned. Their self-titled 1970 debut, a live recording of a show played in Berkeley, set the tone for a catalog dominated by live albums. Continuing to perform today with original members Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen, Hot Tuna has fans eagerly awaiting their upcoming tour dates.
FANS WHO BOUGHT TICKETS SAY:
"Hot Tuna rocked the house... It was a non-stop banquet of electric blues and rock played with skill, generosity, and enthusiasm. The crowd was ecstatic, and I think the band was even happier."
"These men haven't lost a step, or a beat. Loved the songs from the album Burgers."
"For a group of older gents, these men really crank! Professional and passionate about their music, they filled the room with great sound and spirit!"
Loved the concert. The Beacon Theather was amazing. Small theathers are the only way to enjoy concerts. I felt like I was on stage with them. Everyone had a blast. Can't wait to see them again. Only one regret they didn't do an anchore. That was a little disappointing But over all I give it an A+ evening
That word says it all. A few others come to mind, too: beautiful, fantastical, other worldly.
Jorma was relentless and G.E. Smith helped kick it up a notch or two!!! Jack was out of control...again!!! Barry pulls it out of the sky and show's them a thing or two!!! The new drummer brings a lot of energy!!! As hot as any of the Palladium shows from the 70's!!!
This was our first visit to the Keswick Theater. The concert itself was awesome. Hot Tuna seems to get better and better. The venue was something else all together. For supposedly such a famous place to see concerts the theater lacks quite a bit, most notably comfortable seats.
jorma and company were great. GE Smith guesting on guitar was a great surprise. They played 2 1/2 hours and I wish they played longer.
My only criticism of this concert would be song selection. I would have liked to hear some of the old Rev. Gary Davis songs, and the hits from their 70's albums. The opening version of I Wish You Would really rocked and set the tone for the evening, At first I thought G.E. Smith was a distraction, but he seem to push Jorma to some higher highs. The best part of the show for me was a long jazzy jam that featured Barry Mitterhoff, I was a little puzzled by the lack of an encore, but it was just about 11, and I guess they did not want to pay overtime,
Unbelievably EXCELLENT!!! The band was tight, all guitar virtuosos in synch. LOVED it!!!
great show - surprised there was no encore! I'd like to see a more acoustic show, maybe just Jack and Jorma doing stuff from the first album - maybe at Jones Beach?
Jorma and GE looked like they were having a blast dueling back and forth trading licks! It was awesome. I saw GE play with them a few years back also at the Beacon. This was really a treat to see!
I expected a good show, but not a great one, and got the later. Hot Tuna was terrific at The Beacon last night. Consumate musicianship, and not just playing. G.E. Smith is a tremondous contributor here, even though I thought when he did his songs, the entire character of the show changed. But his tasteful addition to the Hot Tuna sound otherwise was terrific. Hell, he should have opened with his own set! Although fairly good for this show, when is Cablevision going to reward the legions of people that have a life and can't sit online and do the internet pile-on, or don't have a scalper/broker, and put some energy and resources into fixing the sound in the balcony. It's dramatically different there than in the orchestra. C'mon, a little acoustic engineering, and you can actually make it worth what you're charging for seats up there.
Jack and Yorma in fine shape (is it my imagination but is Jack morphing into muntz on Law & Order SVU?). G Smith adds vitality, competence and flash to the group. Drummer keeps it all moving and the Mandolin man is wonderful. But Jack and Yorma, after 45 years, demonstrate they remain among the best of the best. Very musical show, more shorter tight songs vs. extended jam pieces. Crowd classic old school HT crowd, only disappointment no encore.
Had middle Loge seats. Beautiful restoration... Argueably, the nicest theatre in NYC... Loudon Wainwright III was better than I expected. I prayed that he would not sing 'Dead Skunk'... he didn't... Sound mixing was uneven. Jorma vocals became muddied in the instruments on loud tunes. Volume became painful a few times... I enjoyed the performance, after seeing them 39 years ago in Ft Worth Texas as a part of Jefferson Airplane. Crowd was roudy, vocal, and appreciative. I was surprised there was no encore. The buzz in the crowd leaving the theatre was positive, except for the lack of an encore... Maybe next year...
Well, where do I start ? First of all, I was not sure if the guys were going to have a drummer or not . I was pleased to see that Skoota Warner seems to have passed the audition. I do believe that he will only become more of a staple for Jack and Jorma as time goes on with the Electric Band(good job and good choice). To see G.E. Smith with the troops last night was a wonderful treat ! I never realized how much of a talent he really was until last night, only because I have rarely heard much of him . I know who he is but have not heard his music or talent. What can I say Jorma, Jack and Barry (like always) hit a Grand Slam ! Thank You Guys for a Fantastic night ! Also, I would like to add that for the past five years or so, I have been taking people to see Hot Tuna (who have never seen them or might not have heard of them) . Last night (as always) Hot Tuna has made me look good. My guests all loved you !
I have always enjoyed and respected the music eminating from the Hot Tuna world but always had a soft spot for their less soft stylings. Electric Hot Tuna allowed me to dance and enjoy revisiting the days of old when this was a fresh new sound. Unlike many who venture out to do revival shows that are but a shadow of what was, this sounds as fresh and vital as always. The addition of GE Smith added a new dimention that was welcome. Is there any style of music he can't play? Thanks guys. Doug
the group never sounded better - it was like seeing jorma and jack back in the days of jefferson airplane when they turned a 2 1/2 minute song into a 20 minute jam. they were great - the supporting cast was the best i have seen them with.
Jorma and Jack are pretty stingy about giving fans what they want. Only tossed us a lackadaisical rendition of "Good Shepherd" We didn't get to "Know You Rider" nor did we develop any "Hesitation Blues". Guess they no longer Keep on Truckin' which is too bad because we wanted some candy man. Further, after the set, house lights up. No encore. Bye. It's also too bad they don't combine acoustic and electric in concert amymore. Basically it's just another bunch of old guys jam band. There are better ones out there. These guys were missing opportunities to thrill the audience throughout the set. G.E. Smith on guitar was a bright spot. Sparkling, I thought. With him and Barry, the the band did still rip pretty good. Smith deferred to Jorma an awful lot but then it's Jorma and Jack's band.
Hot Tuna manages to bridge rock / blues / folkish rhythms. Always creative and imaginative.
Hot Tuna was rocking hard and fast at the Beacon for a mostly over 50 crowd.
After years of so-so electric Hot Tuna shows at the Beacon Theater, this one was special. GE Smith, formerly of Moonalice, joined them for the show and provided the extra slide and lead guitar licks that have been missing from this band since the 90s. I hope he joins this band full time. Also spectacular was their new drummer. Jack, Jorma and Barry put on a really great set and I give this show a 4 star rating. But I am not giving it a 5th star because there was NO encore. Ending the show at 11PM was shocking. Tuna on a Saturday night in NYC deserves at least a 10 min encore. Come on Beacon (Cablevision mgmt) Theater, please allow the band to go a few minutes past 11PM. We are all adults here and can stay out late on a Saturday night. With the ticket prices we paid, one short encore was mandatory, IMO.
Jorma, Jack and Barry in top form at a sold-out Birchmere. The band was relaxed and bantering with the crowd, and their performance was inspired; three brilliant musicians, perfectly attuned to one another and the music, weaving lush and beautiful versions of traditional blues, Hot Tuna favorites, and new songs. For a long-time Hot Tuna fan, the number of new additions to their traditional tour repertoire was a great treat.
