If you want to do a bit of time travel and actually see what the “hippie” movement, both musically and socially, was like, this 2 dvd set is a great place to take your trip. Pun intended.
The first film, A Night At The Family Dog, is the film of a concert from February 4, 1970 that had t hree of the biggest names from the Bay Area (as well as a wild dancer in the aisles-just who WAS that chick?). The first incarnations of Jefferson Airplane, Santana and Grateful Dead are all filmed here, with riveting performances by guitarists Carlos Santana, Jorma Kaukonen, Jerry Garcia and Paul Kantner all jamming together at the end. The individual songs, such as “Soul Sacrifice”, “I Know You Rider” and “Eskmo Blue Day” typify the era, with searing solos, a bit of sloppy ensemble work, and lots of blues trying to sound up to date.
Next up is Go Ride The Music, an homage to “acid rock” that include quick appearances by David Crosby and Jerry Garcia and some impressive work by the now-forgotten Quicksilver Messenger Service on “Subway” and “Warm Re Wine”, with Jefferson Airplane with an impressive Grace Slick teaming up on “Mexico” and “Volunteers”. What’s most impressive is that these musicians were looking for a new sound as well as culture, all looking the same while trying to be different.
Last but not lease is an intriguing West Pole with a “hip” avuncular announcer introducing the watching world to Bay Area giants like the soulful Sons of Champlin” (“Freedom”), Steve Miller Band (“Roll With It” , The Airplane, Dead, and Quicksilver as well as the more obscure female led Ace of Cups. While watching these films, today’s generation must be asking themselves “These are my grandparents? I need to get a life!”