by Brian Weidy
(Photo by Scotty Hall)
Hot Tuna came to the Beacon Theatre last night for the second night in a two-night run. Hot Tuna shows these days are led by founders Jack Casady (Bass) and Jorma Kaukonen (Guitar and Vocals), both originally in Jefferson Airplane, with the rest of the band filled out by Barry Mitterhoff (Mandolin and Tenor Guitar) and Skoota Warner (Drums). While there were a couple moments where just those four members of the band were onstage, the night was also filled with frequent guests.
After a bass solo by Casady opened the show (a dedication to the late blues guitarist Hubert Sumlin), the band ripped through a near hour-and-a-half first set. A high point was the classic “Come Back Baby,” featuring an incredible exchange of phrases between Kaukonen and G.E. Smith, as well as a set-closing high-octane “Hit Single #1” which featured four guitar players on stage.
After a set break, the band came out for a second, two-hour set which featured stellar takes on “Morning Interrupted” off the band’s new album, Steady As She Goes, as well as a fiery take on the traditional, “Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning,” beautifully sung by Theresa Williams.
To close out the night, the band pulled out one of their classics, “Funky #7” which features an infectious bass-and-drum groove and a blistering five guitar attack on top. Steve Kimock took his first extended solo of the evening as he wailed through the groove laid down by the other seven people on stage, with Kaukonen and Casady joining in at the end.
Overall, this three and a quarter hour show felt like one for the ages, holding true to the steady brand of electric blues Hot Tuna is known for.