Released on 18/04/11.
Hot Tuna (a spin-off Jefferson Airplane band) are one of the most celebrated and respected of all American bands. One with a history that stretches back more than 40 years. Playing a mix of originals and covers, they’ve given blues rock a real overhaul, with a style that while owing so much to the traditions of blue- grass and blues, is also predicated on the mastery of guitarist Jorma Kaukonen, who cofounded the band with bassist Jack Casady. In 1969, Jefferson Airplane were forced to take a break when Grace Slick underwent throat surgery, Kaukonen, Kantner, Casady and drummer Joey Covington played shows in the SF area, under the name of Hot Tuna. In 1970, the band released their self-titled, debut album. It was a live recording, made at the New OrleansHouse in Berkeley, California. It’s also known as The Breaking Glass Album, because you can hear beer glasses breaking during the song Uncle Sam Blues. Hot Tuna went to Jamaica later in 70, expecting to record their first studio album, but it was never finished. However, with fiddle player Papa John Creach joining later the same year (he also became a member of the Airplane at the same time), Hot Tuna were now becoming established as a band in their own right. The line-up was streamlined down to Kaukonen, Casady, Creach and drummer Sammy Piazza in time for a second live album, First Pull Up, Then Pull Down. There’s a magic and intensity about the performances which portrayed the fact that Hot Tuna were a confident collaboration.
First Pull Up Then Pull Down- John’s Other / Candy Man / Been So Long / Want You To Know / Keep Your Lamps Trimmed And Burning / Never Happen No More / Come Back Baby / Burgers - True Religion / Highway Song / 99 Year Blues / Sea Child / Keep On Truckin / Water Song / Ode For Billy Dean / Let’s Get Together Right Down Here / Sunny Day Strut