Rolling Stone (p.94) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Young charges forward here, playing half of the imminent NEIL YOUNG in pristine, tremulous vocal form and reclaiming six of his Buffalo Springfield songs..."
Spin (p.94) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "His deceptively fragile vocal style and skewed lyrical genius were already evident at age 22 in these 13 acoustic songs recorded over two nights..."
Entertainment Weekly (p.70) - "'The Loner,' the exquisite 'Birds,' and the bittersweet title song provide a live demo tape of his immediate future." -- Grade: B+
Billboard (p.41) - "It's an intimate performance....It's the kind of recording that makes you wish you were there -- but also makes you feel like you are."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.118) - 5 stars out of 5 -- "SUGAR MOUNTAIN is Neil Young, unadorned, from when he was a true receptor, a feeling arranger capturing America's secret heart: 40 years in, it still has the capacity to draw you in and stop time."
Clash (magazine) (p.109) - "The mood is relaxed as Young talks with the crowd between numbers, setting up songs or just sharing anecdotes. A unique window into the past of this legendary musician."
Record Collector (magazine) (pp.104-105) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Young -- gutsy as ever -- steps out with just his acoustic guitar, commanding the audience with a smattering of Springfield placations and a number of early solo cuts."