Song Review(s): Hot Tuna - “Winin’ Boy Blues,” “That’ll Never Happen No More,” “Hesitation Blues” and “How Long Blues” (Live, Dec. 2, 2022)
Hot Tuna have the blues up to here. But the blues don’t have Hot Tuna down.
With Steve Bernstein on hand to add a variety of brass instruments, Tuna’s blues - the “Winin’ Boy,” “Hesitation” and “How Long” variety - seemed to emanate from the Depression. It’s the kind of music that served to fend off depression.
As much a soloist as a colorist, Bernstein locked in with bassist Jack Casady on “That’ll Never Happen No More” and remained in tune with guitarist/singer Jorma Kaukonen throughout the four giveaway numbers from the band’s Dec. 2 pay-per-view livestream from New York.
Kaukonen played acoustic for first two numbers and electric for the latter. But the shift was nominal as the resultant music was a masterclass in jazzy improvisation, fidelity to the rules of blues and musical groupthink that can only come with the decades-long partnership between Casady and Kaukonen.
Grade card: Hot Tuna - “Winin’ Boy Blues,” “That’ll Never Happen No More,” “Hesitation Blues” and “How Long Blues” (Live - 12/2/22) - A+/A/A+/A+