Hot Tuna - Historic Hot Tuna (CD)

All Music Guide

Relix's second Hot Tuna release was another archival work, its two sides containing two KSAN-FM radio broadcasts from the spring and summer of 1971; one side was taped at the station, the other chronicles the band's appearance at the closing of the ~Fillmore West. In his liner notes, Jorma Kaukonen acknowledges that the band has encountered criticism for releasing such "so-called antique material," but counters that "If you like it, you like it ... if you don't you don't." Hardcore Tuna fans will be pleased with the existence on record of these performances by a Hot Tuna that featured Kaukonen (acoustic guitar on side one, electric on side two), Jack Casady, Papa John Creach, and Sammy Piazza. Others may find that the rudimentary sound quality and the generally restrained performing level render this inessential.

- William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide