Hot Tuna

1999-11-24 Hot Tuna & Derek Trucks Band

Keswick Theatre

Its been so many years now since Pete Sears and Michael Falzarano were part of Hot Tuna, and I’ve missed them a lot, especially keyboard player extraordinaire, Mr. Sears. Its great to see them on this playbill for the first Thanksgiving show I saw a…

Its been so many years now since Pete Sears and Michael Falzarano were part of Hot Tuna, and I’ve missed them a lot, especially keyboard player extraordinaire, Mr. Sears. Its great to see them on this playbill for the first Thanksgiving show I saw at the Keswick.

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I went to a bunch of great shows at the Keswick Theatre when I lived in the Philadelphia area for two years, starting with this Thanksgiving-time show by Hot Tuna. These holiday shows by Hot Tuna became a tradition down there as well as at the Beacon in NYC. The Keswick is simply a wonderful venue, modern and comfortable inside, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

2009-08-23 Hot Tuna / Little Feat

Capitol One Bank Theater at Westbury

 

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What was long known to me as "Westbury Music Hall" (maybe because its in Westbury, NY) had become the “Capitol One Theatre at Westbury” until North Fork bought Capitol One. Then it became the "North Fork Theatre" (due to sponsorship by North Fork Bank - since Westbury is not on the "North Fork" of Long Island), and had now taken on this new name. Aaaaanyway, here was two of my all-time favorite bands playing on the same bill in an intimate venue. Its really a unique place - every seat in the house is very close to the stage, but the seats in the lower half are incredible because they place you so close, and the rise from stage level is steep so you have this feeling like you are hovering over the band.

2013-06-15 Hot Tuna at Clearwater Festival

Croton Point Park

Pete Seeger performed at the 2013 Clearwater festival for the last time before he passed away.

The festival was founded in the wake of environmental effects on the Hudson River and had its origins in the building of Sloop Clearwater, which Pete Seeger and friends raised donations to build in order to promote awareness of the environmental issues with the river and more generally with the earth. In its various forms the festival has taken place for over 50 years and is a great event. The proceeds go directly to support Clearwater’s environmental research, education, and advocacy to help preserve and protect the river and its tributaries, as well as general Hudson river valley.

The Festival in 2013 focused on commemorating and supporting Pete Seeger’s life and work, including his impact on young musicians who learned to play banjo and guitar through his learn-to-play series. Jorma talked about Pete’s influence during the Hot Tuna set, proclaiming simply that “Pete is the Man!”

Slideshow: Hot Tuna performing acoustic at Clearwater Festival.

Below: Jorma and Jack at the Fur Peace Ranch booth. The food concessions at Clearwater festival included some good barbequed chicken. Although it was Jorma who recorded a solo album (and title track) in 1980 called “Barbeque King”, it was Jack who seemed to want that title.