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 co-founded the band with bassist Jack Casady. In 1969, Jefferson Airplane were forced to take a break when Grace Slick underwent throat surgery, band members Kaukonen, Kantner, Casady and drummer Joey Covington played shows in the SF area, under the name of Hot Tuna. Double Dose was the eighth album and their third live album recorded with Grunt Records.
The album was recorded live, making it their third live album in less than eight years, at a small San Francisco venue called Theatre 1839. Production was by Felix Papparladi, famous for his work with the original power trio, Cream and as the bassist for garage band The Vagrants with Leslie West. His fame grew in the late sixties when he and West formed the band Mountain.
“Double Dose” is as good a ‘Best Of”, albeit live, as you could hope to find of a truly great American rock band.
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