Sunday, January 10, 2016

It's No Secret

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/files/2012/10/jefferson-airplane1.jpg
The Jefferson Airplane was the biggest San Francisco band from 1967 though 1970 (the Grateful Dead became popular later, though never with THC).  The Airplane was one of THC's favorites at the time but he has to admit that much of their music has not aged well.  In 1969-70 he saw them play three times and was surprised at how much heavier (and better) they sounded compared to their recordings.

One of those times was in February 1969 at the Fillmore East in New York City.  The prior November the Airplane had played several shows there which were recorded and released as part of a live album, Bless Its Pointed Little Head (that's bassist Jack Casady on the cover).  This is It's No Secret with lead vocal by Marty Balin (the composer), harmonies from Grace Slick, lead guitar by Jorma Kaukonen, Paul Kantner on rhythm guitar, Spencer Dryden on drums with Casady's bass, which was thundering in concert, driving the whole thing. 

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