This 2-DVD package comes straight from the estate of Rolling Stone co-founder Ralph J. Gleason (1917-1975)and features the heart and soul of the San Francisco psychedelic rock scene. The films contain fantastic archival footage of bands such as Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service, and The Grateful Dead. Although much of the footage was aged, each segment was pieced together well and much of the original sound and color were preserved on the original film. This DVD set is definitely a must have for any Jefferson Airplane fan, as much of the first disc "Go Ride The Music" focuses on performances from Jefferson Airplane, with some laid-back Quicksilver Messenger Service thrown in for good measure.
"Go Ride The Music" and "West Pole" were initially aired on television as documentary specials, so each song is interspersed with commentary from host Ralph Gleason, where he interviews young people of the times outside many of the famous San Francisco hot spots for live music.
Both discs originally aired as one-hour television shows and were produced and hosted by Gleason in an effort to show that something was really happening here and most viewers didn’t know exactly what it was. “Go Ride The Music” features Jefferson Airplane performing at an intimate indoor venue and Quicksilver Messenger Service performing live in concert in the open air. There are also cameo appearances from David Crosby and Jerry Garcia. The second disc, “West Pole”, features a diverse range of acts including Grateful Dead, Steve Miller Band and others, including Ace of Cups, the first all-female electric rock band, in various settings, and takes a more analytical look of the music and the times.
Go Ride The Music:
Jefferson Airplane– We Can Be Together
Jefferson Airplane– Volunteers
Jefferson Airplane– Mexico
Jefferson Airplane– Plastic Fantastic Lover
Jefferson Airplane– Somebody To Love
Jefferson Airplane– Emergency
Jefferson Airplane– Wooden Ships
Quicksilver Messenger Service– Warm Red Wine
Quicksilver Messenger Service– Baby Baby
Quicksilver Messenger Service– Subway
Quicksilver Messenger Service– Mona
West Pole:
Ace of Cups– Music
Ace of Cups– Simplicity
Ace of Cups– Gospel Song
The Grateful Dead– New Potato Caboose
Jefferson Airplane– Greasy Heart
Sons Of Champlin*– Freedom
Steve Miller Band– Roll With It
Steve Miller Band– Sittin' In Circles
Quicksilver Messenger Service– Dino's Song
