Search - Hot Tuna :: Live at Sweetwater Two

COOKIN' SOME TUNA

PHILIP S WOLF | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA | 09/29/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There once was this little Club in Mill Valley in Northern California called the Sweetwater and in 1992 Hot Tuna picked this special place to record a bunch of shows for a live CD. Well, folks the first one: "Live at Sweetwater" did well enough to make "Tunaheads" scream loudly for a "Sweetwater Two" and Jorma was listening and gave us this release... Thank You, Jorma.



This is three piece "Acoustic" Tuna with Jorma singing and playing guitars, Jack (Eyebrows) Casady on Bass Guitar and Michael Falzarano on Guitars, mandolin, harmonica and vocals. Pete Sears joins on Piano, Bob Weir brought his guitar along and sings also as does Maria Muldaur.



"Hesitation Blues" is the opener and it's a good one, the groove is relaxed and Jorma is in excellant voice, the sound of these tapes are as good as live recordings get...Fantastic sounding Mix, this one sparkles crystal clear.

Next is "Dime For Beer" an old Jelly Roll Morton blues number with Michael's mandolin playing the piano parts and it fits the acoustic setting well. "Trial By Fire" sounds brand new done this way (way different from Airplane versions). A steller "Death Don't Have No Mercy" was my favorite cut from the original release but on this Expanded Edition there is lot's of competiton with the bonus cuts added in. But "Death" is still great with some fine Piano from Pete Sears, this one is not to be missed.



The bonus cuts added to this CD bring the running time up to 74 minutes and "Too Many Years" was one of the tracks added and it's my favorite here, best version of this one yet.



Happy Traum is the guest on "Ain't Got No Home" and Bob Weir turns up on "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl". A rare "Blue Moon of Kentucky" is included with a Bayou Accordian solo and killer Dorbo, this is a way different sound for the boys. "Chelsea" is good, but I have never heard a bad version of this Airplane classic. Things come to a close with "My AK 47", "Parchman Farm", and Tuna's take on "Folsom Prison Blues".



Any Tuna Fan should own "Sweetwater One" & "Sweetwater Two", Hot Tuna is a part of Bay Rock History and they are just as important as The Dead or The Airplane (even if they never achieved the "cult worship" of those two groups) ROCK ON HOT TUNA !!!"

Sweet Music at Sweetwaters

S. Nathanson | 02/14/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As a long time Hot Tuna fan, any recorded event would be a treasure to me. This collection is a more than pleasant surprise. Great performances and a solid collection of HT repertory from the past make this a treat. The chemistry between Jack and Jorma has never seemed more natural and effortless, and the guest stars (such as Bob Weir)add a substantial contribution as well. I have a special weakness for Jorma's fingerpicking style guitar and in this collection, I believe that Jorma has never sounded better. Treat yourself, and get the two-record set."

Hot Tuna Live at Sweetwater 2

W. Lindblom | Denver | 06/25/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A must have for Tuna enthusiasts. A solid amazing set from the masters, as usual."