Customer Reviews

Burgers

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This third album is, in my opinion, where it all comes together for this band, the acoustic and electric playing, great song selections and production (due in part because its the first studio album, the other two being live efforts). It also has more polish (which in this case is a positive, although I love the first two albums as well). If you "were there" in the early '70s, you know all about this album (either from purchasing it or hearing it at innumerable house parties). If you are unaware of this album, then check it out, as it is one of the few instances where you will get a genuine sense of a time when young musicians sincerely attempted to explore the blues. What a revelation this gumbo of finger picking delta blues, "thunderous" bass, four on the floor percussion and ragtime violin is (Papa John Creach is worth the price of admission alone). All provided within a haze of post '60s San Francisco psychedelia. This band, to my mind, was hands and feet over the Airplane, and, in many respects, more earthy than the Dead. All young musicians should listen to these fine players to catch a glimpse of one of the true originating forces behind the modern "jam-roots-rock" movement. Rag-time-deluxe!!

Burgers was not my first Tuna (the original Live at the Berkley Coffee House was). For a long time, BURGERS was only represented by a track on the Jefferson Airplane collection FLIGHT LOG. But once I found a copy of this album, it was an INSTANT favorite of mine. I even own a framed original promo poster of that GREAT front cover photo.

So I started out with the funky "Keep On Truckin" on that Airplane collection. I soon discovered "True Religion" (and the Rev Gary Davis); the greatness of "Highway Song"; the beauty of "Water Song"; more of the funky blues in "Let Us Get Together Right Down Here" and the funkier original "Sunny Day Strut."

This is one of the most CONSISTANT albums, even though Jorma, Jack, John and Sammy mix bits of country, blues, rock and funk into an interesting stew...

'Burgers' was the first Tuna album I bought in 1972. For me it was an earthshaking album, mostly because of the excellent picking of Jorma, the superb bass playing of Jack and the 'violin extraordinaire' of Papa John. And let's not forget the beautiful songs! Songs like 'Sea Child', 'Water Song' and the extraordinary rendition of the song '99 Year Blues', which was composed and recorded by Julius Daniels in 1927!
Thirty years later I still think 'Burgers' is an outstanding album!

Crossing Jordan I need not fear, Halleleui... Since I first heard this album in 1973, it has been a staple in the travel bag. H20 Song is the epitome of guitar/bass melodic interaction. Visit Hot Tunas website, better yet visit Fur Peace Ranch, and Jorma will personally run you through any tune you like.

A 30 YEAR OLD ALBUM THAT NEVER BECOMES DATED.
SOUNDS BETTER WITH EVERY LISTEN!
You even have David Crosby on this album. Papa's electric violin sounds fantastic. This is a great classic for sure. Every song is fantastic. Jorma's guitar sounds great on the "WATER SONG" along with Jack's driving bass guitar work pumping along, what a great band, what a great album.
You will never be sorry with this purchase!!!

BURGERS, the first studio release for this band, followed hard on the heels of the live HOT TUNA (acoustic) and FIRST PULL UP, THEN PULL DOWN (aka HOT TUNA ELECTRIC) and blends the best of both. Hot Tuna, for those of you who don't know, originally began as a splinter group of the phenomenally successful Jefferson Airplane. As the Airplane moved further and further into electric anthem political rock, guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and bassist Jack Casady decided they wanted to explore the blues roots underpinning the Airplane's origins. Hence Hot Tuna.

The blues are well represented on BURGERS, from the Reverend Gary Davis' "True Religion" to "99 Year Blues" and the whoop-and-holler Davis composition "Let Us Get Together Right Down Here." Jorma remains in form on "Highway Song," "Sea Child," and "Ode To Billy Dean," a Hot Tuna live performance staple. "Sunny Day Strut" by Kaukonen is a growly electric-blues piece that showcases Casady's talents. While Kaukonen is definitely an acquired taste as a vocalist, his scuffed voice adds another unique and instantly recognizable dimension to the sound that is Hot Tuna.

Jorma's dynamic finger-picking style and his virtuosity on the acoustic guitar had been well camouflaged since "Embryonic Journey" on the Airplane's SURREALISTIC PILLOW. "Embryonic Journey" is a beautiful 1:30 minute guitar minuet. On BURGERS he gives us "Water Song," a more complex, polyrhythmic variation on a theme that is simply breathtaking.

Much of the fabric of BURGERS is contributed by blues violinist Papa John Creach, drummer Sammy Piazza and Casady as bassist. Hot Tuna comprises a freestanding rhythm section that moves in and out of improvisational jazz with an ease born of true musicianship. While never as successful as the Airplane, with it's more simple, spare, and clear sound, Hot Tuna is obviously a tighter and much more talented band.

By far the most well-known song on the album (and Hot Tun's only charted hit) is "Keep On Truckin'" a rockin' song which is as intimately identified with Hot Tuna as is the 1934 Buick Victoria that graces the cover.

In short, BURGERS has taste.

This is another of those great classic albums of the early 70s that is not represented on today's bland "classic rock" radio stations. A wonderful mixture of down-home blues, neo-psychedelic instrumentals, and great soft-rock songs by Jorma Kaukonen. "Keep On Truckin'" and "Water Song" really stand out. The reviewer who called this album "tired blues" must be some kind of nerd who enjoys panning CDs that he hasn't really listened to. The guitar/bass/drums interaction is some of the best ever recorded. Throw in some cookin' electric fiddle by Papa John Creach and this band attains a musical nirvana unmatched by any of their other albums.( The first album, "Hot Tuna" is also a classic but it's just acoustic guitar and bass.) "Burgers" is great cruisin' music and great tokin' music that sounds as good today as it did when it was released in 1972.

This album is raw & polished at the same time. Jorma's Guitar work is excellent, Papa John Creach is the icing on the cake. This album never gets stale for me. Highlights are "True Religion", "Keep on Truckin'", "99 Year Blues" & "Let Us Get Together". These are the down & dirty tracks that show the roots of Hot Tuna.

This one goes back to 73 for me. One of those records that always found its way to the turntable. I started listening to Hot Tuna on the first album when Jorma first started things off. It all came together when Papa John Creach and Jack Cassady joined in to make things more interesting on this record, their third effort I believe. This music is soft to the ear but packs a sharp edge. Burgers combines elements of rock, folk and jazz into a very wonderful listening experience

WITH THE RELEASE OF BURGERS, THE FOURTH GRUNT LABEL LP, HOT TUNA BECOMES LESS OF A SIDE BAND AND MUCH MORE OF A LONG TERM PROJECT FOR AIRPLANE PALS GUITARIST JORMA KAUKONEN AND BASSIST JACK CASADY. NOT ONLY LONG TIME FRIENDS, BUT AMAZINGLY COMPATIBLE PLAYERS, TUNA GIVES THE GUYS A PLACE TO SHINE IN AN ORGANIZED MUSICAL STRUCTURE THEY BOTH LOVED: THE BLUES. THROUGHOUT THE RECORDING CASADY'S BASS ADDS IMMEASURIBLE DEPTH, PAPA JOHN CREACH'S FILLS ARE TASTY AND JORMA'S ELECTRIC LEAD AND ACOUSTIC PLAYING ARE ACHINGLY BEAUTIFUL AND PSYCH-SWIRLING. ADD SAM PIAZZA ON THE DRUMS AND YOU HAVE COMBO THAT PRODUCES SOME GREAT MUSIC. DAVID CROSBY ADDS NICE HARMONIES TO 'HIGHWAY SONG'.
CAN'T FORGET TO ADD THAT THE SOUND IS ACES AND ADDS TO THE OVERALL ENJOYMENT. THIS CD FEATURES SOME OF HOT TUNA'S BEST KNOWN AND BEST MUSIC LIKE 'WATER SONG' AND 'KEEP ON TRUCKIN'.
ADD IT TO YOUR COLLECTION QUICKLY!