“Rock Me Baby” is a blues outing for the Airplane. Kaukonen is as technically adept as just about any guitarist of the era and here he and Casady combine to give a glimpse of their future as it was a musical direction they would explore as Hot Tuna.
The Fred Neil tune, “The Other Side Of This Life,” was a concert staple for the group and finds Paul Kantner taking the lead. “Plastic Fantastic Lover” is Marty Balin at his vocal best.
The only song that loses my attention is the eleven minute “Bear Melt.” All the group members except Balin take writing credit and the song has an unfinished feel. While it has some positive points, it just goes on a little too long. It was not a great concert finisher.
Overall, Bless Its Pointed Little Head is a powerful document of the Jefferson Airplane in concert. It presents them at the height of their powers and as one of the best live practitioners of late sixties American rock ‘n’ roll.
Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd
I always loved the cover photo with Casady passed out at the table with bottle in hand. Casady's bass runs on "Plastic Fantastic Lover" are also nothing short of amazing.
-Glen
2 - nerf '09
Jack is not "passed out". He is just posing for the camera. Indeed, the table(s) is only partly set to receive the various Haight Ashbury guests, etc..
3 - Glen Boyd
Well he sure looks passed out to me.