In 1985, Relix Records released the LP
Historic Hot Tuna, which consisted of a side's worth of tracks recorded at KSAN-FM on April 30, 1971, with the band in an "acoustic" format (i.e., with
Jorma Kaukonen on acoustic guitar), and a side's worth of tracks recorded at the closing of the Fillmore West on July 3, 1971, with the band in an "electric" format. Eleven years later, the label released more complete versions of the two performances on separate CDs. This one presents a 53-minute version of the April 1971 radio show. The material is drawn from the band's first two albums, Hot Tuna and
First Pull Up, Then Pull Down, the differences being that the former was recorded without drummer
Sammy Piazza and violinist
Papa John Creach and that the latter was recorded electric. For fans of the first
Hot Tuna album, this will be an enjoyable, if inessential part two. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide