Double Dose (live)

by

Hot Tuna

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Two discs-73,40 minutes in length each approximately. The sound is crisp and punchy,even from live tapes from so many years ago. Very occasionally,in very quiet sections of the music (and with headphones),slight tape hiss and feedback from the amps can be heard-but it doesn't intrude on the musical experience. This new (2CD) set contains ALL the original tracks from the original double vinyl release,plus four tracks (approximately 27 minutes) that are a combination of music and (mostly) interviews with the band. The booklet lists song titles,times,and composers,band members (Jorma Kaukonen-guitar & vocals,Bob Steeler-drums,Jack Casady-bass,and Nick Buck-keyboards & back-up vocals on track 12. There are also four b&w photos of the band,plus the original color photos and graphics from the original release.

Finally someone has re-released this set in it's original entirety. If you're a HOT TUNA fan you know that one of the better tracks,"Killing Time In The Crystal City",was left off subsequent CD releases because of space limitations. It's now been restored,along with a bit of intro music ("I Wish You Would"),then a couple of interview segments,and then,for the outro,a piece of "Funky #7" that brings things to a close. The period interview segments are informative and interesting to listen to a couple of times,and helps bring this band (and the JEFFERSON AIRPLANE) into sharper focus,and also brings back memories of those formative days (if you're old enough),when this band was playing great acoustic and electric blues-based music. Interspersed over the interviews are several numbers by the band,which serve as reminders (I was lucky enough to hear the band in both acoustic and electric modes back in their formative days in the bay area) as to just how much great music they generated.

If you've read this far,you're probably a fan of the band,and are familiar with this wonderful set,so there's no reason to go into a track-by-track listing. If you're unfamiliar with the band,and want to hear some electric blues-based music,with some wonderful acoustic guitar playing,along with Kaukonen's slippery-yet-smooth-laid-back vocals,this is one of their better releases,especially for a live recording. In the right frame of mind,this music can quietly do your head in-it's inherent in the subtle yet dense instrumental juggernaut-style of playing of these fine musicians. This is the way this set should have been originally released on CD,and the folks at Wounded Bird Records should be congratulated for finally releasing this cornerstone set of HOT TUNA. It's too bad that,originally on CD,economics got in the way of art. But at least now this set can be enjoyed in it's entirety,the way it was originally intended. It's nice to have it back again.