14. Hot Tuna: Don't You Leave Me Here
Hot Tuna was a successful spinoff from Jefferson Airplane, launched by bassist Jack Casady and guitarist Jorma Kaukonen. Kaukonen had developed into a fairly consistent songwriter, and had mastered country blues picking, and increasingly wanted an outlet for the country-blues he and childhood friend Casady liked, which had appeared to good effect on Volunteers with the Traditional "Good Shepherd". The duo began by opening for the Airplane at some shows; by 1970 they had enough material for a debut album, Hot Tuna, which charted at a solid #30. Recorded live in a Berkeley coffeehouse (you can hear a bottle fall and smash in the background, and other ambient sounds), the album is an intimate and intricate one, showcasing Kaukonen's excellent acoustic picking, and Casady's rumbling electric bass (plus Will Scarlett on harmonica). Kaukonen's vocals work well too, particularly on the Jelly Roll Morton song "Don't You Leave Me here", which has a lazy, unrepentant, rolling-but-languid, good-time feel to it. "Hesitation Blues" is another classic from the album, comprised of 8 covers and two Kaukonen songs that he defers to the end, but which fit right in. Hot Tuna would add fiddle player Papa John Creach in 1971, in 1972 they spun off from the Airplane completely (Creach played in both groups) and pursued an electric acid-rock boogie sound, epitomized on Hoppkorv, from 1976. The duo split in 1979 but reconvened in the 90's; Casady also spends time in Jefferson Starship.
15. Sly & The Family Stone: I Want To Take You Higher
Sly & The Family Stone were easily one of the top groups in America for a brief time, roughly 1967-1970. Sly Stone (Sylvester Stewart), a native of Texas, came to California with his family in the 50's. He recorded a single at the age of 16, "Long Time Away" which got regional airplay in 1960, and later landed a job as disc-jockey at KSOL, an influential r&b station, and later KDIA. He then landed a job as producer at Autumn records, where he produced the Beau Brummels, The Mojo Men, Great Society, and others. The Family Stone was formed in 1967, evolving from the Stoners, which Sly formed in 1966. A multiracial band playing a uniquely electric and energized psychedelic soul with sunshine sentiments (at first), they first hit with "Dance To The Music" in 1967. Stone's vision became darker and more ominous with each release; Stand!, from 1968 mixed in defiant titles like "Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey" among the more conciliatory "Stand!", There's A Riot Going On is a frightening, almost paranoid album with Sly's funkiest rhythms, and his most blackcentric message; it's also druggy and confused but acute. Fresh, in 1973, seemed a retreat, and Sly faded away, lost in a debilitating drug habit that has precluded his recording since the late 70's. "I Want To Take You Higher", with its voodoo rhythms, gospel chorus, keening guitars and powerful horn section is maybe their greatest track; they did a breathtaking version at Woodstock. Countless funk groups of the 70's owe something to Sly; it's one of rock's crying shames that funk wasn't played by rock stations after Sly was gone. He represents a crucial road seldom traveled in rock.
Article comments
1 - Don
Does anyone know what's going on with Sly? The last I heard is his showing up in costume (bikers helmet) at his sisters concert there in Cali.
2 - uao
No idea; the last two decades are pretty fuzzy. He recorded a flop single in 1987, "Eek-a-Bo-Static", but was jailed for drug possession that year.
He also managed a duet with Martha Davis (of the Motels) "Love & Affection" at about the same time.
He showed up at the Hall of Fame induction in 1993, by all accounts to the surprise of his bandmates.
In 2003, the original Family Stone (without Sly) entered the studio; I don't know if the session amounted to anything.
Freddie Stone is a minister with a website.
Here's the article about Sly showing up at his sister's concert in August 2005, the only news I could find for him for the last decade. He came by 4-wheel Harley wearing a motorcycle helmet, which he kept on all night, and wasn't recognized in the VIP room because most of the VIP's were blind (!)
Al Barger posted this article on Sly's 60th birthday; I was moved by the very personal nature of the comments from fans, friends, and well-wishers that appeared on the thread.
3 - Steve
Visit the John Cipollina website here
4 - uao
That's a beautiful website, Steve. A fine tribute that really gets into all aspects of his career and musicianship. I know you've done him proud.
I'm still preachin' the Quicksilver and San Fran word to the young squirts. Cipollina is a name worthy of remembrance and discovery.
5 - Joanie
Thankfully, we have some great realitvely unknown bands who are carrying on the tradition established during the big Haight era.
6 - Tom Weller
Nice reminiscense on the San Francisco sound. Actually, Country Joe has put out half a dozen albums since 1996. Check out his site (I'm the webmaster).
7 - uao
My apologies for the error, Tom. I've corrected the sentence; I was looking at an outdated discography. Joe deserves his due.
Nice website too!
8 - Dave
FYI, "Loosen Up Naturally" (1968) was the first release from the Sons of Champlin. "The Sons" (1969) is their second release. In addition, they've reformed and have been performing and recording since 1997, with a new release, "Hip L'il Dreams", on August 23rd of this year.
Check out their website at www.sonsofchamplin.com for more info...
9 - uao
Doh!
Sorry Dave. Should have looked for your website first. I can't fix the error here anymore, it has been archived. But I'll fix it on the original blog entry at my blog.
I very much appreciate the webmasters checking in here, though. You've alerted me to the fact you guys are out there, which will help me keep better informed of these musicians (for whom latter-day info is sometimes hard to find or cross-reference for facts). As penance, I think for future playlists of this nature, I'll post links to official websites, when I can find them.
I'm kind of expecting to hear from Joy of Cooking or Dan Hicks next...
It's all meant in loving tribute, though, as well as an introduction for listeners who have never even heard of some of these names.
10 - Hammond Guthrie
Dave - These are excellent album reviews and commentaries. If by chance you also review 60s memoirs please contact me and I would be pleased to send you a copy of my book "AsEverWas" released in 2002 by SAF publishing in London. If you visit their website you can find the pr blip for my book near the bottom of the book index page. In the listing I think you will find books about some of your favored musicians as well - Thanks for taking the time - best of the moment to you and your readers.... Hammond Guthrie
11 - Hammond Guthrie
Sorry for the inadvertant omission - here is the SAF publishing url
http://www.safpublishing.com/
asever - Hammond
12 - uao
I don't review memoirs as a rule, but I do read them on occasion; memoirs of a "Beat Survivor" is germaine as San Fran was beat city before it was psychedelicized. Thanks for the comment Hammond.
13 - Dennis Newhall
The Sons of Champlin's Loosen Up Naturally was their first album. THEN, The Sons (The Sons of Champlin Have Changed Their Name to The Sons)
14 - Temple A. Stark
We can fix the link if you ask uao. Just e-mail the link that gors with this comment.
15 - Temple A. Stark
Late notice but,
This post was chosen by the section editor as a BC pick of the week. Go HERE (link) to find out why.
And thank you
- Temple
16 - Hammond Guthrie
Thanks for your reply - SF takes up a rather small part of the tale - and largely set in Europe late 60s vs. SF. Best to you and your projects.
17 - Blake
great album reviews. I wish i could have lived during the rock/blues and psychedelic era. I agree that blue cheer's lesser known album OutsideInside is better than their debut album, although i love both albums, especially the songs out of focus and babylon.. I also agree with that one guy that the guitarist of quicksilver is amazing and should be remembered next to hendrix, page, clapton... oh man actually there were so many amazing got guitarists that never got the recognition they deserved... like guitarist from tons of garage rock/ garage punk bands.. also from old psychedelic bands.
Mick Abrahms from Bloodwyn Pig and Jethro Tull was great for example.
18 - GoHah
good to hear Dan Hicks, with or without the Hot Licks, still kicking around. I had their LP--might've been called "Stikin' It Rich" or to that effect. All pretty much good-timey music like "The Laughing Song" and I believe "Canned Music was on there too. Then there was the exception--an extended scary number with wigged-out violin titled, appropriately, " I Scare Myself." Truth in advertising, indeed.