Album: Are You Experienced?
Singles: Boris the Spider and Hanky Panky
Having a Flashback Friday - Airplane Induced
I was 15 when the Jefferson Airplane released the Crown of Creation at the pinnacle of the psychedelic rock era, and it became a go to album of mine throughout high school and college. We will not go further into the particulars of the situations regarding the playing of this album during that time. On this cold and wet Friday I am sitting in my home listening and enjoying un-induced flashbacks of that era but also reveling in the composition, musicality, musicianship and expression of the dark emotions of this statement of society at that time. While I do not consider it well engineered from an audiophile perspective, it has a wonderful warmth, good clarity despite the warmth, good dynamics, and above average staging/imaging for rock albums of that era. Slick and Balin’s voices are mesmerizing. Kaukonen’s finger picking stylings are soaring and heady. My favorite bassist, Cassidy’s runs maintaining rhythm while often carrying melody, so intricate, warm, and woolly. The messages are dark (There will be no survivors my friend') but I find it transfixing.
For those of the psychedelic rock era, or those who appreciate the music, what are your flashback favs.
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- 14 posts total
Thanks for sharing your moment, I understand and appreciate your share. Your description makes me wonder if you play an instrument. Yesterday I walked into Ace Hardware and “ Somebody to Love “ was playing on the store system. I just stopped in the isle and enjoyed the moment. Doing the math I’m about 3 years your junior and grew up 2 hours south of SF. My family vacationed in Santa Cruz. The psychedelic SF music is amongst my favorite followed by the British Rock like Deep Purple and Zeppelin. But the psychedelic sound took me to places drugs couldn’t, and I did my share in the 70’s. While most of the music was crude I just loved Quicksilver and Big Brother. I have original handbills framed and hanging over my stereo showing CCR and Jethro Tull at the Fillmore, CSYN with Cold Blood at the Winterland, Quicksilver and Mott the Hoople at Fillmore West. Hendrix at the Santa Clara fairgrounds and Janis Joplin at the Rainbow Ballroom in Fresno. Today I spin vinyl with a tube system and play it loud enough to irritate my wife. It was fun in the 70’s seeing Zepplin on acid, but life is considerably better for me with 3 decades clean and sober. I miss my long hair, my muscles and my Harley’s, but when I hear that music I can’t help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude for all the good times I had. Thanks for sharing your moment with a stranger in California. Blessings , Mike B. |
Circa early 70s, Golden Earring in a small club located in a castle along the shores of lake geneva, Switzerland. I'll spare you the psychedelics used that night, but I remember making an eye to eye connection with their lead guitarist for most of the concert. As if he was taking me on his trip. Unforgetable to this day. |
@buellrider97 My musical experience was limited to playing classical bass in the middle and high school orchestra, no private lessons, and not pursued after graduation. I am blessed with near “perfect pitch”. Near meaning that if a crystal glass rings, I cannot tell what note it is but I can go to a piano keyboard and pick the note out within a half tone. I can hear a song and play the melody, then build the cords, with horrible technique since I never had lessons. A goal in retirement is to take lessons. I often go to live classical performances at the Koch Theater and Cargnie Hall. |
- 14 posts total