AMG Review of Classic Hot Tuna Electric

William Ruhlmann
All Music Guide

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 56-minute version of the July 1971 concert. The material is drawn from the band's first two albums, Hot Tuna and First Pull Up, Then Pull Down, the latter recorded only three months earlier. For fans of the first First Pull Up, Then Pull Down, this will be an enjoyable, if inessential alternate version.