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America's Choice was the fifth album by the American blues rock band Hot Tuna, recorded in 1974 and released the following year. The first of the "Rampage" trilogy albums (the others being Yellow Fever and Hoppkorv) recorded by the now power trio, it marked a major shift in musical direction by the group. With new drummer Bob Steeler, Tuna now performed in a predominantly hard rock style rather than their previous more acoustic flavored manner.
Seven of the eight songs are Kaukonen originals, the cover being Robert Johnson's "Walkin' Blues". The album is characterized by Kaukonen's multi-layered and hard edged guitar solos and Bob Steeler's frantic drumming, which give a somewhat schizoid feel to the entire proceedings. Songs resonate between the somber and the frenetic, which adds to the moody atmospherics, especially on "Serpent of Dreams" and "I Don't Wanna Go". Three of tracks, "Funky #7", "Invitation" and "Walkin' Blues", often evolved into extended jams when performed live at this time. The album rose to #75 on the Billboard charts.
The album was originally released in Quadraphonic.
The album cover art depicts a box of laundry detergent, complete with dripping suds, labeled "America's Choice: Hot Tuna". On one side of the detergent box, a contents label lists the musicians as the "active ingredients", and also says, "Pure, unadulterated sounds with amplified additives and the necessary polytonal ingredients to handle heavy loads." On another side of the box is a "warning" stating, "This album to be played at full volume for maximum effect."
[edit] Track listing
[edit] Side A
- "Sleep Song" (Jorma Kaukonen) — 4:23
- "Funky #7" (Kaukonen, Jack Casady) — 5:47
- "Walkin' Blues" (Robert Johnson) — 5:22
- "Invitation" (Kaukonen) — 6:50
[edit] Side B
- "Hit Single #1" (Kaukonen) — 5:10
- "Serpent of Dreams" (Kaukonen) — 6:52
- "I Don't Wanna Go" (Kaukonen) — 4:56
- "Great Divide: Revisited" (Kaukonen) — 5:16
[edit] Personnel
[edit] Production
- Produced by Hot Tuna and Mallory Earl
- A Fishobaby Production
- Overseer: Bill Thompson
- Engineered by Mallory Earl
- Production Coordinator: Pat Ieraci (Maurice)
- Recordist: Steve Mantoani and Jeffrey Husband
- Equipment: Michael Casady
- Recorded and Mixed at Wally Heider's Studios, San Francisco
- Mastered by Rick Collins, Kendun Recorders, Burbank
- Cover Concept: Frank Mulvey
