Once upon a time back in he late 60’s and early 70’s there was a band called It’s a Beautiful Day, another one hit wonder band. The hit was called White Bird. It’s really a shame since they were a really good band. I have their first album and there are a lot of other good songs on it: Hot Summer Day, Bombay Calling, Girl With No Eyes, and Bulgaria. The band featured David LaFlamme on electric violin and vocals. In 1971 they changed guitarists and rocked up some more. They recorded a live album at Carnegie Hall and some of their songs really rocked out. Their performance of White Bird on this album featured a long solo by the new guitarist culminating with him and LaFlamme in a duet. That’s what I’m posting here. Enjoy!
White Bird and Nantucket Sleigh Ride are two of the most beautiful RnR songs. Never saw Mountain but I did see IaBD at Fort Collins College in Durango, Co. 1972.
Sorry, I like the studio version better. Tighter vocals and the violin was/is the lead!
Have you heard the two versions of Good Lovin”? The Carnegie Hall version is better because of being more upbeat and the guitar work.
I remember this band Denny, they were pretty good.
Saw them at Fillmore West. And you’re right. Their first album was great!
I saw them at the local community college in the early 70s. Their sound in live performance was incredible for those days. Pattie Santos had an intoxicating stage presence in a white satin dress and her voice was amazing.
IBD was the opening act for a group that I think was called Elephant’s Memory. Their claim to fame was having something to do with John Lennon. They didn’t have a chance after IBD’s performance and a large percentage of the audience walked.
I have a clean, half speed mastered copy of their first album and still listen to it from time to time.
Thanks for posting.
IIRC, in getting Bill Graham’s support for Woodstock, Alex Cooley agreed he’d allow one of Graham’s bands to play. They flipped a coin and Santana won over It’s A Beautiful Day. I understand LaFlamme still performs. Patti Santos died long ago.
True story!
I believe that Jefferson Airplane used to perform this song.
Nope. The song they performed was White Rabbit.
But if you combine “White Rabbit” with the Paul Winter Consort’s “Icarus” you kinda get “White Bird.”
I’m not confusing this with White Rabbit. I immediately recognized this song from having seen a video somewhere of JA performing it. I had never heard of the band It’s A Beautiful Day. Trust me.
Okay, don’t trust me. The song I was thinking of is High Flying Bird.
That’s okay, RR, if it was the Airplane, somebody was “high” fer sure, dude.
That was a real treat. Thanks.
Amazed I am not the only one that is aware of Its a Beautiful Day. Many rock fans my age have never heard of the band. I first heard of them in 73 while stationed in Thailand. I was in a record store off base in Udorn and found the album. The cover art reminded me of a photo of my Mother that my Dad took in the late 40s. I had the album transfered to 8-track tape and took it back to the barracks. My two room mates and I became instant fans. When I returned to the States in 74, could not find the album. In the late 80s I found it on CD at a used CD store. Paid premium price, $25, but well worth the expense so I can have it jamming while heading down the highway. I just had it out a couple weeks ago and the wife commented how long it had been since she last heard Its A Beautiful Day. I have shared several songs from YouTube on my Facebook page and many millennials I know have come to appreciate a true Rock classic.
Full concert, 7/7/70, Tanglewood (official) –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOn8vl0XBVQ