What producer Voyle Gilmore heard when he first saw the Kingston Trio at The Purple Onion in 1958 persuaded him to sign the group to Capitol Records. ...from the "Hungry i" was released in order to expose the record buying public to what live audiences experienced at a Trio performance. This appeal was successfully conveyed with this live album, indicated by its number 2 chart position and receiving a gold album award. The Trio was a carefully rehearsed act, the jokes and introductions to songs planned, delivered and also graded by their manager Frank Werber. Gilmore recorded two nights of the group's twenty-seven-day engagement at the club. In 1964, the hungry i would also be the location for the recording of the final album for Capitol by the John Stewart Trio.
Reception
The album was awarded an RIAA gold album on October 24, 1960. In his Allmusic review, critic Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr. notes the intensity of the trio's performances and the audience reactions. Lankford writes their first live album "captures the band live, singing vibrant versions of "Tic, Tic" and "They Call the Wind Maria." Because of the acoustic arrangements and professionalism of the band, this live performance easily matches the quality of the group's studio work."
Reissues
...from the "Hungry i" was released on CD by Capitol Records in 1992 paired with The Kingston Trio. It has since been withdrawn by Capitol.
In 1997, all of the tracks of ...from the "Hungry i" were included in 10-CD box set issued by Bear Family Records.
Some tracks from ...from the "Hungry i" were reissued in 1961 by Capitol on Encores, a duophonic reissue of cuts from the first two albums.
The original LP was reissued as a "Capitol Monophonic Re-issue" ca. 1980 with Capitol Records catalog number M-11968. The back of the record jacket had a UPC symbol in the upper right with the code 0 7777-11968-1. The label on the record was black lettering on dark blue with a large classic Capitol logo at the top.
Track listing
The original LP release had eleven songs.
Personnel
Dave Guard – vocals, banjo, guitar
Bob Shane – vocals, guitar
Nick Reynolds – vocals, tenor guitar, bongos, conga