Their first album was recorded live at Berkeley in 1969. They continued their work with Jefferson Airplane during this project, and even though Jefferson Airplane dissolved, Hot Tuna has continued to tour to this day. Casady is considered by many to be one of the most advanced and innovative in his style.
Their official website is http://hottuna.com and http://hottunatunes.com has music downloads of some of their recent live dates and a few older dates which really capture the spirit of these two very talented musicians.
Joey Covington, a self-taught drummer since the age of 10, (also know in his childhood as Joey Michno) helped found Blues-rock group Hot Tuna in 1969, alongside Jefferson Airplane members Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen, while the latter band was still in its beginnings.
However, the recordings he did for Tuna were unreleased and eventually rejoined Casady and Kaukonen at the Airplane and featured on three studio albums, the first being Volunteers, as he replaced Spencer Dryden midway through the recording process. He wrote and sang the last hit for Jefferson Airplane 1971's "Pretty As You Feel" featured on the Bark Album.
Covington left Jefferson Airplane in mid-1972 to pursue a solo career, starting with Fat Fandango.[3] He subsequently faded from view, only resurfacing sporadically, like in 1976's Spitfire by Jefferson Starship, where he co-wrote the hit single "With Your Love".
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s he toured with various configurations as The San Francisco Allstars.
Covington was well-known around the Palm Springs area as a talented musician who delighted his audience by playing free gigs whenever possible. His last performance was for a Marilyn Monroe celebration in Palm Springs June 1, 2013. Covington thrilled his audience and signed autographs following the performance.[4]
Covington was killed in an automobile accident in Palm Springs, California on June 4, 2013. Covington slammed into a wall and was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collison. He was 67.[5]
See also: Hot Tuna at Wikipedia
Bar Room Crystal Ball
Hot Tuna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said "Me and my friends are downtown, drinking' wine."
They're trying' to help me but they ain't got time
To see which way I've fallen
Well now this sawdust's feelin' fine
My body sure don't mind
This solitary flyin'
I don't remember when
This mornin' feels as if it's still a part of night
And the dream I had before the last is out of sight
But what I feel between us now gives you the right
To see how far I've fallen
Well this sawdust's feelin' fine
My body sure don't mind
This solitary flyin'
Past summer's stare again
I don't remember when
Well one more line before me gonna see me pass
Into the realm of pure imagination last
Before the unsung shower from a lightening blast
Around the house that's fallen
Well now this sawdust's feelin' fine
My body sure don't mind
This solitary flyin'
Past summer's stare again
I don't remember when
And now I see the phone that's silent on the floor
And nothin's gonna be the way it was before
'Cause still I feel the shadow from the pistol's roar
Above the head that's fallen
Well now this sawdust's feelin' fine
My body sure don't mind
This solitary flyin'
Past summer's stare again
I don't remember when
The opening lines of the song, “Well early this morning, someone's hot on the line, Said, "Me and my friends are downtown drinking wine."”, indicate that the singer is receiving a phone call from someone who is out drinking with their friends. The song goes on to describe the singer's state of mind as he sits in a bar or club surrounded by sawdust on the floor. He seems to be lost in thought and disconnected from reality, reminiscing about past summers and a dream he can no longer remember. He is also aware that he has fallen from a previous state, and he suggests that the person on the other end of the phone has the right to judge him and see how far he has fallen.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become more surreal, as the singer talks about passing into the “realm of pure imagination” and feeling the shadow from a pistol’s roar. These lines suggest that the singer is perhaps in some altered state of consciousness, or experiencing a hallucination or dreamlike state. The reference to a pistol and falling head seems to suggest that he might have been shot, or perhaps has fallen victim to some sort of violence or tragedy.
Overall, “Bar Room Crystal Ball” seems to be a meditation on the fragility of life, and the ways in which we can lose our grip on reality and fall from grace, often through our own actions or choices. The song is a haunting and evocative exploration of the human condition, capturing the raw emotions of loss, regret, and longing that we all experience at some point in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Well early this morning someone hot on the line
Someone called me early in the morning and sounded urgent.
Said 'Me and my friends are downtown, drinkin' wine.'
They told me they were drinking downtown with their friends.
They're trying' to help me but they ain't got time
They want to help me but are too busy.
To see which way I've fallen
They don't know the problems I'm facing.
This sawdust's feelin' fine
The surroundings are comfortable.
My body sure don't mind
I am physically feeling good.
This solitary flyin'
I am lost in my thoughts.
Past summer's stare again
The past is on my mind.
I don't remember when
I cannot pinpoint a specific time frame.
This mornin' feels as if it's still a part of night
It's still dark outside and time feels slow.
And the dream I had before the last is out of sight
I cannot remember my previous dream.
But what I feel between us now gives you the right
But my current emotions allow you to judge me.
To see how far I've fallen
To understand the extent of my problems.
Well one more line before me gonna see me pass
One more problem and I will collapse.
Into the realm of pure imagination last
Making things worse, my thoughts are getting more difficult.
Before the unsung shower from a lightening blast
Before things get worse suddenly.
Around the house that's fallen
In my broken home.
And now I see the phone that's silent on the floor
I notice the phone that was dropped.
And nothin's gonna be the way it was before
Things cannot go back to the way they were.
'Cause still I feel the shadow from the pistol's roar
I remember the sound of a gunshot.
Above the head that's fallen
The gunshot was directed at someone nearby.
I don't remember when
I cannot remember when the incident occurred.
Contributed by Olivia R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@gggorgeous6765
In Jorma's words, this song is about the decline of addiction and alcoholism. Lyrics for Grandpa Conehead:
Early this morning someone hot on the line
Said me and my friends are downtown, drinking wine
They’re trying to help me but they ain’t got time
To see which way I’ve fallen
This sawdust’s feeling fine
And my body sure don’t mind
This solitary flying
At summers stare again
I don’t remember when
This morning feels as if it’s still a part of night
And the dream I had before the last is out of sight
But what I feel between us now gives you the right
To see how far I’ve fallen
-Refrain
One more line before me gonna see me pass
Into the realm of pure imagination last
Before the unsung shower from a lightning blast
Around the house that’s fallen
-Refrain
Now I see the form that’s silent on the floor
And nothing’s gonna be the way it was before
Cause I still feel the shadow from the pistol’s roar
Above the head that’s fallen
-Refrain
@dennisnoel8071
Saw Hot Tuna several times back in late 70s. Lenox, Mass. one of them. Just saw them in NYC recently. They played this song. Electric Hot Tuna-it doesn't get any better.
@swedemcf
A classic, just love this song and Jorma's voice always blows me away!!
@edlawrence5059
It sure beats the hell out Grace's atrocious singing!
@stephendaparma3303
🔥🖕🏻🍣
@pjk
The fingerpicking break that kicks in at 3:22 is gorgeous! Quintessential Jorma... :-)
@edlawrence5059
I'm addicted to it. It's so uplifting!
@gggorgeous6765
For me it's like being in church.
@elephantrange
Next-to-impossible to find for years, after Grunt records folded. Probably the most Dylanesque thing that Hot Tuna did. Love this song!
@73Danger
Tuna helps get me though life.
@boblee3437
How delightful this track is. I'd not heard it before. Lovely.