The "Water Song" was first recorded on Hot Tuna's third release in 1972: Burgers
Hot Tuna, a spin-off of Jefferson Airplane, included the nucleus members Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady ... Papa John Creach on fiddle and Sammy Piazza joined them on the Burgers release; they were on the cutting edge by introducing fiddle in a rock context. Before Burgers, Jorma and Jack had jammed on old ragtime blues tunes for many years ... on the road with the Airplane, in their hotel rooms, and at every opportunity when the full band wasn't around. Their focus on early acoustic blues artists such as Rev. Gary Davis and Mississippi John Hurt offered them a musical window rarely viewed in mainstream rock during the early '70s.
Jorma Kaukonen wrote the bulk of the material on this first Hot Tuna studio album (their two previous albums were recorded live). Two of his originals were instrumental: "Water Song" and "Sunny Day Strut". The "Water Song", performed in open G tuning, is a textural study using forward rolls to get an almost banjoistic effect. This in combination with Casady's melodic bass lines created an effect never before heard in mainstream rock. Almost a driving bluegrass sound with rock overtones. Truly innovative and yet powerfully executed creating a waterfall effect which connotes the title.
Mickey's Take: "I first learned the 'Water Song' a few years after the Burgers release, around 1975 ... while still in high school. Since I was also familiar with banjo rolls, I was better able to nail the forward roll patterns. Additionally, I found myself learning phrases that combined Casady's melodic bass with Jorma's guitar without realizing that this became a different guitar arrangement than Jorma's original but as a standalone effort, sounded closer to the record. I found myself doing the same thing when I learned "Mann's Fate" on the first Hot Tuna live album. I didn't realize the separation of the guitar and bass and how well Jorma and Jack merged their lines; I was playing their counterpoint lines as a standalone guitar piece which at the very least, offered a unique interpretation ... and, really, Jorma and Jack are the originators and it would be impossible to improve on what they've accomplished; hence, interpretation is a unassuming compliment for their sterling acoustical endeavors."
A Letter to Jorma from Danny Cochran January 1 at 12:55pm
"Jorma, Mickey Cochran is my younger brother. I just wanted you to know what a big influence your music has been in our lives. I had the pleasure of seeng you in EL Paso, TX. in the early 70s, Grace Slick was P.G., and she left the stage, and then you Jack, Papa John, did the Hot Tuna stuff, then after the show you guys went to my friend Mario's club it was called the Frijole, where you guys jammed some more. I don't think I've ever seen a band who enjoyed playing music together more than you guys, and believe me I've seen many of the greats. I still listen to all your stuff. Thank you for bringing us so many hours of Hot stuff....HOT TUNA STUFF!!...and your solo stuff. May the God of your choice bless you." Danny Cochran this is what I sent to Jorma he thanked me...
Songs Recorded on "Burgers" Include:
01. True Religion ... Kaukonen 4:43
02. Highway Song ... Kaukonen 3:15
03. 99 Year Blues ... Daniels 3:58
04. Sea Child ... Kaukonen 5:00
05. Keep on Truckin' ... Carleton 3:40
06. Water Song ... Kaukonen 5:16
07. Ode for Billy Dean ... Kaukonen 4:50
08. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here ... Davis 3:26
09. Sunny Day Strut ... Kaukonen 3:15
