Recently on the road in celebration of Woodstock’s 40th anniversary,
Jefferson Starship have been playing the songs from their memorable set in 1969
when they were Jefferson Airplane. Confused? Don’t be. Hear it all unfold
on Performing Jefferson Airplane At Woodstock, taken from the
current seven-piece band’s gig at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on June 12,
2009. Jefferson Starship features founding member Paul Kantner, along with David
Freiberg, a founding member of Quicksilver Messenger Service who’s played
with both the Airplane and the Starship, vocalist Cathy Richardson, and a team
of solid musicians behind them, all captured live on this nine-song CD.
Beginning with a solid “3/5 Of A Mile In 10 Seconds,” it’s
evident we’re in for some great rock and roll, mostly due to lead guitarist
Mark “Slick” Aguilar. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said
for some of the rough backing vocals from the guys, especially Kantner who talks
more than sings. “Somebody To Love” sounds OK, as the band lays
down a decent beat and Richardson projects her strong voice (if not the true
depth of Grace Slick).
Kantner and Richardson duet on Fred Neil’s “The Other Side Of This
Life,” which pretty much moves because of Chris Smith’s adept keyboard
playing. I’m not sure “Won’t You Try/Saturday Afternoon”
works all that well — Richardson never really finds her place in the harmonies.
“Eskimo Blue Day” (featured way back in the ‘69 show) comes
across with an odd 60s vibe, though the band loses their way in the tricky middle
section. The pair of Grateful Dead songs — the honky tonkin’ “Deal”
and “I Know You Rider” featuring the Dead’s one-time, ivory-tickler
Tom Constanten — are much easier to swallow. Though these are probably
the roughest recordings of the set, there’s a certain depth and beauty
to these non-Airplane numbers.
The CD ends with a Middle Eastern flavored “White Rabbit,” not
altogether bad, but it’s not easy to wrap your mind around anyone but
Grace Slick behind the microphone. “Volunteers” is the one tune
where Richardson really shines on her own. The band also picks up that jauntiness
they had so many years ago — which goes to show you how a great song can
often rise above sticky situations. Performing Jefferson Airplane At
Woodstock is not so much a historical document of the Airplane/Starship
as it is an example of what Paul Kantner and company are up to now, good or
bad.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
