Embryonic Journey
Jefferson Airplane, 1967, from Surrealistic Pillow. Solo by Jorma Kaukonen.
Kaukonen's short solo acoustic piece shows the fingerpicking behind the Airplane's electric sound.
Embryonic Journey is a short solo acoustic piece by Jorma Kaukonen, and it shows the fingerpicking behind Jefferson Airplane's electric sound. His playing is intricate and melodic, with a steady bass pattern supporting delicate treble lines. The piece is calm and reflective, a striking contrast to the band's louder material. It has become a favourite for fingerstyle guitarists to learn, and it proves that Kaukonen's roots lay as much in American country blues picking as in San Francisco psychedelia. Listen for how the melody and bass line move independently yet fit together seamlessly, giving the piece a flowing, unhurried quality.
Embryonic Journey by Jefferson Airplane is featured in our Folk Rock (#17) list. The solo is played by Jorma Kaukonen and the song was released in 1967.
In our lists
Sources
Who played the guitar solo on Embryonic Journey?
Jorma Kaukonen played the solo on Jefferson Airplane's Embryonic Journey (1967).