Steady As She Goes

Hot Tuna | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 5, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Red House Records
• ASIN: B004OCCL3E
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,425 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady are the founders and continuing core members of the iconic blues-roots band Hot Tuna. Having played music with each other since they were kids growing up in Washington D.C., no two musicians have more consistently influenced American music and shaped the foundation of rock & roll, roots and blues than these two legends.

In the mid 1960's, Jorma and Jack were two of the original members of The Jefferson Airplane, creating a unique sound that became the soundtrack of the era.

While in The Jefferson Airplane, Jorma and Jack remained loyal to the blues, jazz, bluegrass and folk influences of the small clubs and larger venues they had learned from years before. Tirelessly performing together at clubs in the Bay Area, often after having played a set with the Airplane. Eventually, they landed a record contract and recorded and album before they decided to name their band Hot Tuna. With it, they launched on an odyssey which has continued for more than four decades.

Along the way, they have been joined by a succession of talented musicians, all of whom meld in to Jorma and Jack's place in the musical spectrum as two of America's most important rock musicians. Rolling Stone has named Jorma one of the top guitarists of all time, while Jack is considered one of today's most innovative electric bass players, having played with such legends as Ray Charles, Jimi Hendrix and the Grateful Dead.

Today, as their sound continues to evolve, Jorma and Jack are often joined in their Hot Tuna performances by the mandolin virtuoso Barry Mitterhoff. A veteran of bluegrass, Celtic, folk, and rock-influenced bands including Tony Trischka and Skyline, Barry's influences seamlessly mesh with Hot Tuna as if he's been there from the beginning.

Anchoring the rhythm section along with Jack is the brilliant and exciting young drummer Skoota Warner. Joining the band in 2009, his stunning career already included work with a virtual who's who of rock, funk, blues, and jazz musicians, including Cyndi Lauper, Matisyahu, Mary J. Blige and Santana. Now with Hot Tuna, Jorma says he has "never felt more at home with a drummer than [he does] now with Skoota."

Jorma and Jack certainly could not have imagined, let alone predicted, where playing would take them. Aside from their touring, both are teachers at Jorma's world renowned Fur Peace Ranch Guitar Camp as well as accomplished solo performers. Jack released his first solo CD, Dream Factor, on Eagle Records in 2003. Jorma has released many solo albums over the years, including his legendary album Quah, his Grammy-nominated Blue Country Heart as well as two highly acclaimed releases on Red House Records, Stars in My Crown (2007) and River of Time (2009).

It's been a long and amazing road and after four decades of music, Hot Tuna continues to find new and interesting turns in its path forward, putting their distinct stamp on American music.

Product Description

2011 release from this band featuring former Jefferson Airplane members Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady, their first all-new studio album in 20 years! On Steady As She Goes, Kaukonen and Casady masterfully blend Americana Rock with Blues and acoustic Folk on a record that hits their full spectrum of styles from electric and acoustic Hot Tuna to their days in Jefferson Airplane. Reaching a zenith of their historic career, Steady As She Goes is an absolute masterpiece.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 62 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Historic April 11, 2011

By L. Ortega

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I don't know what record the others are listening to, but this is a historic Hot Tuna record. I'm not sure how anyone can even compare this to previous Tuna records since they are separated by 20 years. You realize this is the first studio Tuna in 20 years, right?

It rocks. I listened to the Robbie Robertson record (4 stars) and this one back to back and the RR record could be classified as superior easy listening and doesn't rock nearly as much as Steady. And for the guy who can't hear Jack in the mix...all I can say is get a better stereo.

Produced and exquisitely enhanced by uber-musician Larry Campbell at Levon Helm's studio at his ranch. Wow, to be a fly on that wall!

There are covers of the Rev. Gary Davis and originals by Jorma, Jack and Larry. I'm tremendously impressed by this record. Great stories and great tunes done by some of the best musicians on the planet. It's the best new record I've heard since Farm and I listen a lot.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth waiting for! April 15, 2011

By William A. Welch

Format:MP3 Music

I didn't order this CD from Amazon. I bought it at Jorma's Fur Peace Ranch last Saturday where we watched Jorma, Jack & Barry perform many of the songs off this album. I thought the songs performed live were pretty good, but this studio produced album is really impressive. I've listened to it several times now and I like it better each time.

I'm amazed at how great Jorma's voice is at 70! Jack still plays a great bass and Barry Mitterhoff is simply amazing. I don't see why it needs to be comapared with an album 40 years ago (I also bought that album 40 years ago and every other one since). It's just great to have a new Hot Tuna album to listen to. I highly recommend this new album.

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the 20yr wait April 14, 2011

By J. Goldrich

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

If it were a painting, it would hang in the Louvre. A masterpiece still ringing in my ears.

I purchase the CD as MP3's do not do justice to anything worth keeping. I purposely avoided listening to the quick sample MP3 tracks available on amazon as I wanted no prejudgment. I actually dusted off my ADS 910's and Macintosh equipment to evaluate what a studio album from HOT TUNA would sound like after 20 years of live and DAT shows. OH MY! I closed my eyes and when the CD ended I found myself back where I started... But I had been a wonderful trip for about an hour.
If this don't make you move, your already dead.

(In memory of RDragon)