The songs were recorded December 19 and 20, 1972 at the Tyrone Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the majority of the album's content being from the second night.

"Blue Dot" was written three days before the concert.

The album was re-issued on CD in 1994 by BGO and in 1996 by One Way Records.

For AllMusic, Mark Allen wrote: "The prodigious technique, deadpan sense of humor, and infamous singing are all evident less than a minute into the opening tune.

Performing solo and playing more slide guitar than usual, Kottke wows a supportive hometown audience in Minneapolis with some of the finest playing of his career.