Hot Tuna - 25 Years and Runnin'
Live at Sweetwater

Long before MTV unplugged, Jefferson Airplane guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and bassist Jack Casady thought it would be cool to perform a few old blues as a set-breaking contrast to the Airplane's acid-and-revolution epiphanies. This 'novelty act' of the psychedelic circuit evolved into Hot Tuna, and Jesse Block's concert documentary, 25 Years and Runnin', celebrates the simple sustaining powers of blues, bars, and Tuna. Jorma and Jack reflect on their influences and musical partnership since playing in a high school garage band, while their fans explain the Jorma/Jack chemistry that's kept them tuned into Tuna for a quarter century.

The documentary's subtitle, Live at Sweetwater (a Bay Area landmark club), is the crux of this DVD, 'live' performances of ragtime blues standards and Tuna originals that exemplify the free spirit that's kept Hot Tuna runnin' all these years. Jorma and Jack are ably assisted by Tuna mates Michael Falzarano (guitar, vocals, mandolin) and Pete Sears (keyboards, accordion). The Grateful Dead's Bob Weir and Maria Muldaur guest on a romp across Dylan's Maggie's Farm.

Running time 103 minutes