Jefferson Airplane - Last Flight: Winterland Arena, 22nd September 1972

Complete final show by legendary acid-rockers

By 1972 Jefferson Airplane had evolved from the psychedelic folkrockers whose classic Surrealistic Pillow had soundtracked 1967’s Summer Of Love. Vocalist/founder Marty Balin was gone, though he rejoins the group for one of the high points here: an extraordinary, rousing encore of Diana/ Volunteers that would have had the hippy audience screaming for the revolution.

Taking Balin’s place as singer for this tour was David Freiberg (ex-Quicksilver Messenger Service), while veteran electric violinist Papa John Creach had joined in 1970 and former Turtle Johnny Barbata provides drums. The four remaining members from their heyday would soon split: lead guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and bassist Jack Casady concentrating on bluesy side project Hot Tuna; frontwoman Grace Slick and Paul Kantner (vocals/guitar) forming Jefferson Starship. Despite this, and Airplane’s disappointing Bark and Long John Silver, they were still formidable live. Kaukonen shines with fiery soloing on Twilight Double Leader and Feel So Good. Grace Slick is in fine form throughout, her powerful voice soaring over the maelstrom of sound as the group stretch out.�While fans of …Pillow will find the heavy blues-rock of Come Back Baby or boogie of Papa John’s Down Home Blues far from essential, the superb, loose version of Somebody To Love will delight them.

Charly | SNAD 555 CD (2-CD)

Reviewed by Jon Harrington
<< Back to Issue 336