(Sorry for the text format, it will be upgraded eventually -- JL)
By Willie Knapp
SPRINGFIELD, OREGON - Despite having to play all their old songs,
the Jefferson Starship still looked like they were having fun when
they played the Springfield Filbert Festival here Friday night,
Aug. 28, under the stars along the Williamette River.
And despite their age, they played with energy throughout the two
hour performance. Leader Paul Kantner has stated that the Jefferson
Starship is constantly evolving; always changing its focus and shape.
The band's repertoire has evolved not only encompassing songs from
Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship years, but also from the KBC
Band days and Marty Balin's solo years.
The latest evolution of the Jefferson Starship finds a new keyboard
player (Dennis Smith for T. Lavitz) (not necessarily a permanent change,
T was playing in NYC [J Levin's comment]), but the rest of the crew remains
the same. Guitarist Slick Aguilar has trimmed his lion-like mane,
while Paul is letting his hair grow. It also appears that singer Diana
Mangano has been given a bigger feature role based on the Jefferson
Starship concert I saw a year ago at the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz, CA.
Along with singing "White Rabbit" and "Somebody to Love," and playing
a prominent role in the new song "The Light," Diana sang "Blessings"
and "Borderlands," two new songs from the "Windows of Heaven" CD.
They started out the concert with "Crown of Creation."
"I hope you are having a good time," Paul Kantner said before the start
of the second song. "We are here to make sure that happens."
Marty Balin then lead the group into "3/5's of a Mile in Ten Seconds,"
followed by "Somebody to Love." Marty was then given center stage. He
sang "Miracles," "Count on Me" and "Hearts," a song that he had a hit
with while performing as a solo act in the 1980s. They followed Marty's
set with four songs off their yet to be released in America CD "Windows
of Heaven." First was "Let Me Fly," followed by "The Light." Diana then
sang "Blessings," followed by "Borderlands."
Although they were there to hear the oldies, the crowd did respond
favorable to "Let Me Fly" and "The Light." Not only was that set important
for the band to play because it's the new songs that they really enjoy
playing the most, and it also gives Paul a chance to comment on society.
The Jefferson Starship brought the concert to a rousing closing, playing
back to back "Plastic Fantastic Lover," "White Rabbit," "America" (KBC
Band), and finally a rocking rendition of "Volunteers" to end the concert.
The crowd, a mixture of aging hippies like myself and many in their 20s
and 30s, went wild, demanding an encore.
When they returned, Marty sang solo "Coming Back to You" from
"Surrealistic Pillow," a song he said he hasn't performed in public in
many years. That was followed by a rollicking version of "It's No Secret"
from "Jefferson Airplane Takes Off." They ended the concert with an
elongated version of "The Other Side of This Life." Bass player Jack
Casady, drummer Prairie Prince and keyboard player Dennis Smith, each
played about a three to four minute solo before the band finished the
song.
I went away from the concert satisfied and my batteries recharged to
face life again. I hope they never give up. Maybe someday Paul will
talk Grace and Jorma back into the fold. I know I am dreaming, but
it's better than nightmares.
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