Classical Composer Reacts to White Rabbit (Jefferson Airplane) | The Daily Doug (Episode 510)

#whiterabbit #jeffersonairplane
In this #throwbackthursday edition of #thedailydoug, I'm going back to late August of 2022, when I recorded this reaction of White Rabbit from Jefferson Airplane. This was originally from our Fan Favorites Episode 7, released exclusively to my Patreon community. I'm pleased to now release it to KZbin. I hope you enjoy!
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[@bobthebear1246]

Grace Slick's voice on her masterpiece - SHE wrote it, words and music - still gives me the chills. This song is 2 weeks older than I am. And...here's the real miracle: Grace Slick is still alive and well at age *83,* y'all!!

[@jwaldhelm]

I saw or read in an interview with Grace that she wrote this song in about 15 minutes.

[@Danny-ks1pb]

@@jwaldhelm wasn't she tripping at the time?

[@KymPridham]

All the preservatives for the acid queen lol

[@kimstrickland65]

This has always reminded me a bit of Ravel's "Bolero", using a repeated Spanish sounding theme, starting quietly and increasing in volume. "White Rabbit" does take much less time getting to its crescendo than "Bolero". I also wish that they had taken longer to develop it, but I suspect they wanted this to be a single, so getting it under 3 minutes was important.

[@micaelmelomachado]

I came here just to write about this resamblance with Ravel's Bolero! I always thought the same!

[@michaeldeierhoi4096]

It is satisfying to see a couple of other people also see the resemblance of White Rabbit to Bolero. Great song!!

[@doctormojo]

And don't forget the bolero section in the middle of Child in Time by Deep Purple.

[@sylvaindupuis5595]

In those years, long songs simply didn't exist or where so rare that nobody think of that when producing a new song. If you wanted your music to be heard, you had to respect the standard radio song length of the time, between 2 and 4 minutes.

[@jpwjr1199]

@@doctormojo There's a bunch of songs that use Bolero as a rhythmic underpinning

[@robsmith1a]

I was fortunate to see Robert Plant sing this in the late eighties in a small university hall, unadvertised gig and just walked into a local record store to see tickets on sale

[@aragnophy]

wow, lucky for you!

[@robsmith1a]

@@aragnophy very lucky and one of those rare experiences I appreciate. He had a very young band at the time. I think Little by Little had just been released

[@JackMcLeodJr]

Grace Slicks voice has always mesmerised me. Listening to the isolated vocal track as I have done over the years is like a cosmic trip

[@Mo_Taser]

Same. In my opinion her greatest performance is on "Love Too Good".

[@gosmo4504]

Gracie could sing the phone book in the late 60s and early 70s and I would have the headphones at 10. She paved the way for so many woman of rock

[@jezm1703]

Absolutely love this. I remember when it was released....mesmerising and so powerful.

[@peacefulpossum2438]

Yes! The isolated vocal is phenomenal.

[@Mo_Taser]

The greatest electric guitarist ever has died, Doug. Would be great to see you do something of his, either solo or a collaboration.

[@TheJonasbz]

Fantastic song, her vibratro is insane, and the lyrics!!! Its perfect

[@guitarchannel5676]

I have heard this song hundreds, maybe a thousand times? Yet, I never get bored with it.

[@minty_Joe]

Every time I hear "White Rabbit", it reminds me of the scene in "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas", where Dr. Gonzo tells Raoul Duke to drop the tape recorder into the bathtub when the song peaks. 🤣🤣

[@jasonmeadors3524]

Keep in mind that there was a formula at the time. Verse, chorus, verse, chorus, instrumental, followed by verse/chorus. The Airplane didn't follow that in here. One thematic push, start to finish, always elevating, with only one repetitive but pointed line, "Go ask Alice," to Gracie's amazing vocal crescendo at the end. This song is so unique in musicality and lyrics, and so brilliantly off-center. That's why it holds.

[@coolmark4851]

It has the form of a Bolero I presume

[@chrisgadsby5700]

Have you heard Starless by King Crimson? 12 minutes in 3 unequal phases, a song bit, then an evolving instrumental bit building tension, until the musical explosion (climax) at the end!

[@jasonmeadors3524]

I listened to a lot of King Crimson in my college days (starting '73) but don't remember hardly any of it. Although I could pick out "In the Court of the Crimson King," I bet. Thanks for the recommendation! I'll check it out.

[@jasonmeadors3524]

Gracie has mentioned that it was patterned after Ravel's Bolero, thereby giving the song some pop notoriety before the movie "10" ever came out.

[@LSqrd1960]

Can you do something of Jeff Beck, to commemorate his passing (Jan 10/2023). One of the really influential guitar players of the rock era. Maybe “Cause we’ve ended up as lovers”, and something from his Yardbird days (Heart full of soul)?

[@parkourbigbird2378]

“Becks Bolero” is a great track based on a classic tune by Ravel

[@gosmo4504]

My earliest memories of my dads record collection on a Saturday afternoon was this great song, amongst CSN, Abbey Road and Simon and Garfunkel. Truly shapes a 4 year olds musical journey.

[@rotten87]

This song for me is pure magic. Like if someone would ever ask me 'Do you believe in magic?'. - this is what I'd play for them. I will play this song for my nephew one day. And later, when he's older and asks me 'why do you think this is magic, uncle?' I will sit with him, play this video first and explain the true meaning of the song with some pills that will make us larger, or small and we will experience it once again for the masterpiece it is. And we will still wish it'd be longer every time it plays. Anyway, thank you for this video Doug.

[@mangstadt1]

I've lived in Spain since I was nine and I had never thought aboutr Spanish marches when listening to this song. Tomorrow I'll revisit Sketches of Spain by Miles Davis, which Gtrace Slick recognises as the inspiration behind this song. I've watched many processions during Easter Week in Spain. There's a lot of brass, also woodwinds, and of course percussion. It really gets to me if they play the Spanish national anthem in a religious procession. Some folks just don't get the meaning of separation between Church and State.

[@Liz.Green789]

Such good stuff. Grace's vocals are simply perfect here.

[@robhooper4929]

I arrived back in the US in '67 when it was all over the radio, and saw Grace sing this at Monterey Pop. Bent my head all out of shape and it's still bent.

[@gothicpsychic]

Grace's voice is absolutely phenomenal. I've always loved this song especially the way it builds in intensity from mellow at the start to manic at the crescendo

[@ludacrisbutler]

her voice is so good

[@txmetalhead82xk]

It is so powerful.

[@stephenfisch615]

It is interesting to hear you say that you wish it were a longer song. I have heard local jam bands cover it. What they would do at the end is a jam version of the song which the singer would rejoin at the end for the “dormouse” verse. That absolutely does make the song better.

[@mauricesilva6177]

Great song,a timeless classic 😁👍

[@johnvender]

Surrealistic Pillow is an amazing album. Other than White Rabbit Somebody To Love, Today and quite a few others are great songs on that album. Also some great harmony work with Grace, Marty Balin and Paul Kantner in some of the songs.

[@asbjrnmaus7666]

Today is a great song, there is a live version here on KZbin i really like as well.

[@johnvender]

@@asbjrnmaus7666 I will check it out

[@StanEngland]

Love 'Today'

[@gregg6992]

Doug my man! How about a review of Jeff Beck as a tribute to him on his passing?

[@PointyTailofSatan]

What I notice is the almost total use of plain voice, with very little vibrato. Very Baroque. It takes incredible skill to sing like that and not drift off key. Slick was awesome.

[@cynthiacoleman4577]

I ALWAYS heard the Spanish March, when the song first came out, but then, as a young child I'd dance to all types of classical music and opera. Dance away in our little-used living room, in my "costumes." My parents belonged both to a classical and opera club, so we'd receive an album of each in the mail every month. I was the only one to listen to them, on my little portable mono phonograph. I still have ALL those albums. Love this song. In my top five favs. And, yes! The words are incredible and poetic. Have you heard George Benson's version? I saw him in the mid 70s and it was the best ever concert. Check out his version. It's longer.

[@kenl2091]

This is an excellent song with astounding vocals and though it reeks of 1967 (like patchouli oil, Sgt Pepper and Afghan coats) it still holds up today as a great piece of music.

[@MrCherryJuice]

For anyone who has missed it thus far, here is Grace's isolated vocal - it is brilliant. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZnae42DZbhgntE Not only is 'White Rabbit' a unique song, Grace had a unique voice and singing style; she had great pitch and a very strident approach. Great on her own, she and Marty Balin also provided the Airplane with a tremendous tag team approach where Grace's singing would soar free form above whatever else was happening, like some trumpet player like Miles simply using the music as a trampoline upon which to bounce. She really was brilliant.

[@jeanninedoyle9523]

One pill makes you larger….

[@billmiller4972]

A blue pill ....

[@Eleventhearlofmars]

@@billmiller4972 can’t get it up?! 😂

[@cuales1955]

Hermoso tema y hermosísima voz la de Grace !! Gracias Doug !!!!!!!!!!!

[@LyonThroy-RSA]

Influenced by Miles Davis Sketches of Spain and later George Benson brought it full circle with a fantastic cover.

[@carln6ckv8]

I was a teen ager living in the San Francisco Bay Area when this came out - It was the first album I bought (long since worn out). Saw them live multiple of times, along with lost of other great bands of that era. I sure miss it

[@matiasacevedob]

thanks for helping feed our heads

[@billwilson2025]

Thank you Doug! You knocked that one out of the park.

[@btpuppy2]

Listen to the a capella version of White Rabbit - same recording with nothing but her track. It will give you chills! Her vibrato!

[@Peter-oh3hc]

I saw part of an interview years ago where she said she couldn't sing. She said she had a powerful voice and could knock the camera off the stand, but felt she couldn't sing. Wish I couldn't sing that well

[@beverlybennett963]

I still get chills listening to Grace!!

[@caroleann_2142]

Grace Slick cant be touched, Magnificent voice & recording...❤🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@johnlowe5861]

Actually Bones this is a perfect time to suggest you should go see the Dead and Co. on their final tour this year. Last chance to get a taste of what those amazing days were like. The Airplane, Dead, Quicksilver, and Big Brother did more than just fed our heads. Owsley pumped us full of crazy and they lit the fuse.

[@drrobram]

This song has been associated to the book "Go, ask Alice". A must read in my time in High school.

[@Peter-oh3hc]

Yup. It was absolutely a must read

[@aquatarkus2022]

And a movie.

[@Peter-oh3hc]

@@aquatarkus2022 forgot that

[@jeffheck5559]

Such a powerful song and her voice is magic.

[@pauldover1403]

You don't wish it was longer, I've heard the long, Great Society version and it was a mess. When Grace took the song with her she tightened it up and turned it into a masterpiece. There's not a wasted second in it now, right from the intro it builds up to an incredible climax. I first heard this in the early Seventies. It was one of those rare songs when I went out straightway to the record shop and bought it.

[@RolandTumble23]

Personally, I love the Great Society version. Most of it is Darby's guitar solo, with some... unusual scale choices. I think Doug would appreciate hearing it, if he hasn't.

[@carlos_herrera]

Jerry Garcia re-arranged Somebody to Love, (part of why he was credited as 'musical and spiritual advisor' on the album,) I wonder if he helped with White Rabbit too.

[@adrianking475]

The Grateful dead at the time had a sons “ Alice D Millionaire” - San Francisco metaphors methinks

[@Sheamarie]

One of my favorites. Thank you.

[@johnlowe5861]

Like the good Dr. put it, "When the going gets weird; the Weird turn pro".

[@Redfour5]

Many say they wish it were longer. Maybe she understood the old saying, "leave em wanting more..."

[@chrisbauder3327]

When I was in Sixth grade in 1970/71 we used to have a music appreciation hour once a week and it was run by a new, fresh from college teacher who introduced us to this song along with others of the period. She also provided us with mimeographed lyric sheets which I took home. Can't believe that my parents didn't raise a fuss. Good times!

[@brucemargolin3986]

For me Surrealistic Pillow was the greatest of the early psychedelic albums -- better than the first grateful dead, better than Big Brother and the Holding Company, Country Joe and the Fish and Quicksilver (though I have a soft spot for Quicksilver). It captured a unique sound and the word are as "weird" as the music.

[@carlos_herrera]

Jerry Garcia is all over that album, white rabbit may be the only full band track he doesn't play on.

[@HarkenRoad]

There's a band you may not be familiar with, but worthy of visiting, Moby Grape. Jefferson Airplane's first manager (and a bullet thankfully dodged by them) went on to manage the Grape, and did a spectacularly horrendous job of it. Airplane's first drummer, Skip Spence, became one of their songwriter/guitarists, and his career arc eerily matches that of Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd. Great musicians though, and a sound that would later be recognized as presaging country rock.

[@stoppropaganda2573]

The original Great Society version had a 4 minute intro which was dropped to keep the song by Jefferson Airplane more radio friendly for the time period ... AM radio. 3 min format.. The final version although lyrically inspired by Miles Davis was taken further than the Great Society version and was more influenced by Maurice Ravel's Boléro ... these folks were not just spaced out kids, they were well educated with musical influences.

[@MrMjp58]

So atmospheric in tone and texture.

[@spiritedreviewexc]

ik im a bit late, but you dont do anything (recently) that i am into, but I love this! The singer was lovely, and I was introduced to this song by my rock and roll history class (i cant remember much about learning about the song) But i remember watching the video and man that was trippy as get out.

[@johnniekight1879]

Songs were short during the hay-day of top 40 AM radio because local stations were in competition to play more music per hour so long songs weren't gonna be played as often unless you were the Beatles or the Stones or a huge hit.

[@drzarkov39]

When I first heard this in '67, I realized it was a bolero.

[@michaelavarice]

This always reminds me of the bathtub scene in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas😂🖤🔻❤️

[@timothye.gillane3511]

You might find "Rejoyce" and "Spare Chaynge " on their next album ("After Bathing at Baxters") interesting.

[@gregtitus2467]

What a classic!

[@Alfa75V6]

love you Doug , you are not getting on my nerves , just relaxed doing what you do

[@nemovidet2111]

Yes, a proper analysis all the way through. When everything was speeding by as fast as a running rabbit, maybe you "saw" some white rabbit. The code got deciphered and the song was banned from the radio. FYI --- Professor Charles Dodgson (out in the English countryside in1865) was known to go out chasing rabbits. The theory was that by getting outside the norms of the human mind you can understand it better, and he (though he is more famous for his literary works like "Alice") wrote a book called "Symbolic Logic."

[@jackneefus]

Jack Casady said in an interview that he wrote the opening after listening to Ravel's "Bolero." Apparently they would begin this song in concerts with the stage completely dark, and then a single spotlight would illuminate Jack Casady with his back turned to the audience, his legs spread, and his blond hair going down to his waist, while he played that opening bass line.

[@vickieeh1]

This song always makes me think of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

[@guitarhans]

I bought Surrealistic Pillow in 1967, I still have it.

[@253spkelly253]

“Feed your head y’all” 😂

[@pambennett3390]

Good memories, man. Glad I lived whenI lived.

[@freddylubin]

Feeding my head since 1967.

[@willinnewhaven3285]

I listened to it right after listening to all of "Sketches of Spain" it fit

[@pinanti]

One of the best songs of the 60's.

[@shemanic1]

"Feed your Head" became quite a thing to quote in the late 60's sorted out those "in the know" in the drug/music culture of the time.

[@briangriffin5524]

There is a lot of live Airplane to explore. They played Woodstock. Their entire performance was filmed and recorded there. Available on Experience Woodstock.

[@briangriffin5524]

FYI. The New York Times today published a full page obituary for Jeff Beck. Buy it at the news stand if you live in the northeast or read it online. It's very rare for anyone to receive a full page, that's usually reserved for presidents or other world famous figures.🎸🎸

[@nilkilnilkil]

Throw the radio in the bathtub when white rabbit peaks ...

[@billmiller4972]

Like your Headbanging (did the same automatically)! I love the Woodstock performance of Grace slick though.

[@briansolo]

Sometimes, this song makes me cry.

[@dmCurator]

Excellent articulation of the message. It's one of the reasons that I'm still in love with Grace Slick.

[@soberhippie]

At the end of the video there, I was worried that you were steering towards the video being sponsored by skillshare. One of my all time favourite songs, and it's amazing how these 2 minutes of music still remain in our pop culture and surface here and there every now and again.

[@MissingMars]

thank you Doug -u get it!

[@davidcohen821]

Another classic Grace Slick song which continues in this vein is Rejoyce, from After Bathing at Baxter's, their next album after Surrealistic Pillow. It is a moody song featuring piano and recorder, with lyrics about the novel Ulysses by James Jocye.

[@davidreece1642]

A wonderful track.

[@KB.968]

So glad this one made its way in the channel. It is just a fantastic piece. I so agree on the time, this one really should be longer. Speaking of length, if you are into versions of the song, there is a cover of White Rabbit done by Emiliana Torrini for a movie. It is some ~5 minutes long. Perhaps worth a check? It's an interesting cover.

[@KayButtonJay]

Some of the best vocals of that era

[@paulehney4581]

Yep, you get it. There is a line in a Yes tune that says "Rock is the medium of our generation" and that was indeed true.

[@rk41gator]

"Patron Saint Alice" Dang, Doug; that was good.

[@jackboren431]

In listening to JA, especially the early stuff, it's worth remembering that one of their co-founders, and dominant song writers, was Marty Balin, who at heart was a folk musician, but one that recognized music was moving from acoustical to electric. Also, I've always felt that the song lyrics, especially "feed your head" encapsulated the counter-culture movement which focused on re-thinking all the stuff society had taught you growing up. At least, that was certainly what I was doing during this time period.

[@BeatniksVids]

Sanctuary did an excellent cover of this.

[@Eastcoastpreacher]

Oh yes! 👍🏻🤩

[@SnowEfaust]

Thanks!

[@Doug.Helvering]

Thank you so much, truly appreciate your support!

[@barrywerdell2614]

I once wrote a very short story where Alice went to the Republican Tea Party with some very broad humor. Example "We're going to make the American people stand on their own two feet again !" "How will you do that?" asks Alice. "By pulling the chair out from under them."

[@kamilfingr371]

This song always reminds me movie Fear and loathing in Las Vegas by Terry Gilliam.

[@clydevickers2684]

Now we need Terrapin Station.

[@daicullinane7746]

I'm sure Doug has done that Dead song.

[@PK--ITA]

I love this song. I like also the cover of this song by heavy metal band, Samctuary thx Doug

[@robertaroncagli4451]

The soundtrack of the legendary Summer of Love.

[@robhooper4929]

Patti Smith, who acknowledges she was much influenced by Grace Slick, sings a longer version.

[@vernhoke7730]

I heard this on the radio back in the late sixties or thereabouts and remember buying the "Woodstock" album to listen to the live version of this not much difference.

[@jeanninedoyle9523]

Soundtrack of my life

[@wolfgangsimons9183]

More Airplane, PLEASE !

[@davidhines4880]

What you said about being longer. At the time this was produced songs for radio were limited to 2 minutes and change. Advertising was revenue, and less time for music, meant more time for ads. I can cite countless examples, going from the Rolling Stones up through Metallica.

[@waelr9751]

Sanctuary covered this song made it a metal version so good

[@aWOKEn1445]

Yeah, why isn't this song longer!!?!

[@nickfanzo]

Emperor - into the infinity of thoughts

[@Molybed1]

It reminds me of Ravel's Bolero, except White Rabbit builds up more quickly.

[@kw8890]

This was studied in my university music appr class

[@kkirw01]

Grace Potter & The Nocturnals did an incredible cover of this… worth a listen

[@jazzpunk]

Today, stuck in traffic, I revisited George Benson's cover of "White Rabbit". He totally got the Spanish vibe. Check out his intro...his cover is long, too. :-0

[@rachellewalters8111]

Grace Slick's vocals are INTENSE! The vibrato in her voice makes me believe she's had vocal training?