These discs, produced in and directed by Jesse Block back in the early 90's, were some of Hot Tuna's last performances and luckily were caught on video tape for us now to enjoy. The atmosphere of these concerts is small and its as if the Tuna are playing down the street at the local bar. The audience is very respectful of the musicians and there no whoops or hollers during the musical numbers, which in some concerts mar a performance. The audience and ourselves are taken on an incredible musical odyssey with the Tuna, whose 25 years together certainly shows in these performances.

Electric-Billed as the last electric Hot Tuna concert back in 1994 at the Fillmore, the performers, Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Cassidy (both from the original Jefferson Airplane), Pete Sears, and Michael Falzarano are showing their age ( as we all are from that era),but their music is still just as clear and clean as ever. Hot Tuna is a mixture of rock, folk, blues, and improvisational music which defies a category. The electric disc, while a bit louder, has a distinct sound but still captures that bluesy, rock influence with numbers like Candy Man, Ice Age, Good Shepard(an Airplane tune), and 99 Year Blues. The small stage area provides for a comfortable viewing area and the camera work zooms in on the musicians work throughout the numbers. The video is sharp and in focus and the soft lighting enhances without distraction. The disc's sound, which is Dolby 2.0 is still in very good shape, and is cranked up for full enjoyment, even without full surround sound. No one should be disappointed with the music mix of this disc. Separation is clear and clean through the two channels and fidelity is full . Ambient mike sounds, feedback, coughs, etc. are totally absent from the music as we seem to sit in with the musicians during the concert. The audience is seldom seen except between numbers. Included with the disc are six additional audio only tracks recorded during the concert, bonus video tracks of Jorma and Jack swapping stories about backstage at the Fillmore and the Airplane, which is great to hear. The disc also includes some interactive web links as well to top off the incredible amount of information on this disc. Acoustic-This disc has the same format as the electric version-A video program with additional audio tracks-on this disc-nine extra tracks are included. The concert set is a sit down session, with Cassidy playing electric but toned down bass, and Jorma on acoustic guitar. This session was recorded at the Sweetwater in 1992, a San Francisco club and has the same comfy atmosphere as the other disc. Same great camera work, where we see the finger works of the musicians as they play such tunes as San Francisco Bay Blues, Hesitation Blues, Embryonic Journey(another Airplane tune), I know You Rider and a great upbeat version of Dylan's Maggie's Farm, with guests Bob Weir and Maria Muldahr. In all, eighteen video tracks are offered, 7 more than were on the original video tape. This disc's picture is not quite as sharp as the electric disc, but still has good color balance. A fuzzy in places does not distract from the concert and the picture is sharp when it really needs to be, when focused on the musicians work. The music is once again is outstanding in its mix, although it too is only Dolby 2 channel. Pump up the volume a little on this and it sounds great. This disc also includes some additional websites for interactivity. Both discs contain some additional information about the sessions and the band in the form a a four page booklet enclosed with the disc. The artwork on the disc is a reflection of the sixties times, both unique, psychedelic, and wonderful.

The discs are released as part of "The American Artist Series" from Whirlwind and are limited editions (whatever that means). If you are into Hot Tuna, these are essential to your collection and show the artists at their best; playing the songs they've loved for twenty-five years. So sit down, take a load off, listen and watch as these true professionals entertain you on these loaded discs.