Surrealistic Pillow - Jefferson Airplane (#471)

In this episode of Backwards Beats, Dan and Carl dive into Surrealistic Pillow (1967) by Jefferson Airplane, ranked #471 on Rolling Stone’s Greatest Albums list. They explore how the album defined the San Francisco sound, the role of Grace Slick in reshaping the band’s identity, and Jerry Garcia’s surprising influence as “musical and spiritual advisor.” The conversation blends deep analysis, fun tangents, and reflections on the counterculture movement that shaped the record.

Key Points

• Surrealistic Pillow marked Jefferson Airplane’s breakthrough and cemented them in the Summer of Love era.
• Grace Slick brought two of the band’s biggest hits, “Somebody to Love” and “White Rabbit”, from her previous group The Great Society.
• Jerry Garcia contributed guitar parts and guidance, inspiring the album’s title.
• The record blends folk, rock, blues, and early psychedelia, showcasing a wide stylistic range.
• Discussion of mono vs stereo cuts reveals different listening experiences, with White Rabbit favored in mono.

Music Referenced

• Jefferson Airplane Takes Off by Jefferson Airplane
• Flight Log by Jefferson Airplane
• Somebody to Love by The Great Society
• White Rabbit by The Great Society
• Magic Bus by The Who
• I Want Candy by The Strangeloves
• The Boys of Summer by Don Henley
• Don't Stop Believin' by Journey
• Never Going Back Again by Fleetwood Mac
• Hearts and Bones by Paul Simon
• Extreme
• They Reminisce Over You by Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth
• The Honeysuckle Breeze by Tom Scott
• Rickie Lee Jones
• Paul Butterfield
• Sara by Stevie Nicks
• Janis Joplin
• Nine Inch Nails
• Trent Reznor
• Jesus and Mary Chain
• Right Here Right Now by Jesus Jones
• Where It's At by Beck
• Moonlight Drive by The Doors
• Riders on the Storm by The Doors
• Watermelon Man by Herbie Hancock
• Law & Order Theme
• Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Join us next week when we cover 400 Degreez by Juvenile.