Comment of the Moment: Tribute to Jefferson Airplane's Paul Kantner: 1941 - 2016

Last week, we posted on the somewhat little known fact that The Jefferson Airplane's Paul Kantner co-wrote “Wooden Ships" with David Crosby and Stephen Stills. (See Jefferson Airplane's Paul Kantner: 1941 - 2016 ).

In response, Comment of the Moment on the tribute posting is by Mr Henry:

"For me, it all begins with listening."
--John Luther Adams

Thanks to TW for a very nice tribute to Mr. Kantner. I've been playing a lot of Airplane over the past few days; it's always great music to return to. With the bounties of the internet, there are so many more performances and outtakes, so much previously unheard music to check out.

I recall Neil saying back at the time of Ragged Glory that he's a big fan of the whole "San Francisco Sound" that (for me anyway) is embodied in the twin guitars of Paul and Jorma, the twin vocals of Grace and Marty, and the great rhythm section of Jack and Spencer. And the tour for Ragged Glory was the first time I saw Sonic Youth live--my initial fandom due in large part to how much they reminded me of Jefferson Airplane.

One of my all time favorite films is the Coen Brothers' "A Serious Man". If you haven't seen it yet, I suggest that you do sometime. Music from the Airplane dominates, including "Somebody To Love" which is on the soundtrack immediately after the prequel. Part of the drama involves a confiscated transistor radio, which is returned to Danny Gopnik when he makes a (very stoned) visit to see Marshak, the Zen Rabbi and head of his synagogue, as the finale and capstone of his Bar Mitvah. The scene is priceless (but the Rabbi leaves out Jack and Spencer!):

"These are the members of The Airplane!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoetGnTIjWY

[ED - see embed above]

Another great (and also very stoned) scene includes The Airplane's song "Today" as a crucial element:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlvKrzInK7w

So thanks again to Paul for his great music and vision...Mazel Tov and "Be A Good Boy"!

"Sometimes a note will suggest just a hint of the realms of emotion that opened up to me in that moment, the sense of utter wonder, the shattering revelation."
--Peter Guralnick from "Searching For Robert Johnson"

Thanks, as always, Mr H.!

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