Jefferson Airplane

Band members               Related acts

- Signe Anderson (aka Signe Toly) -- vocals (1965-66)

- Marty Balin -- vocals (1965-71, 89)

- John Barbata -- drums, percussion (replaced 

  Joey Covington) (1972-73)

- Jack Casady -- bass (replaced Bob Harvey) (1965-73) 89

- Joey Covington -- vocals, drums, percussion 

  (replaced Spencer Dryden) (1970-72)

- Papa John Creach -- violin (1972-73)

- Spencer Dryden -- drums, percussion (replaced 

  Skip Spence) (1966-70)

- David Freiberg -- vocals, bass (replaced Jack Casady)

  (1972-73)

- Bob Harvey -- bass (1965)

- Paul Kantner -- vocals, guitar (1965-73 89)

- Jorma Kaukonen -- lead guitar (1965-73 89)

- Jerry Peloquin -- drums, percussion (1965)

- Grace Slick -- vocals (replaced Signe Anderson) 

  (1966-73 89)

- Skip Spence (RIP 1998) -- drums, percussion (replaced

  Jerry Peloquin) (1965-66)


 

- Marty Balin (solo efforts)

- Bodacious D.F (Marty Balin)

- Joey Covington (solo efforts)

0 The Great Society (Grace Slick)

- Papa John Creach (solo efforts)

- Hot Tuna (Jack Cassady and Jorma Kaukonen)

- Jefferson Starship

- Paul Kantner (solo efforts)

- Moby Grape (Skip Spence)

- Grace Slick (solo efforts)

- Skip Spence (solo efforts)

- The Turtles (Joey Barbata)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  The Worst of Jefferson Airplane

Company: RCA Victor

Catalog: LSP-4459

Year: 1970

Country/State: San Francisco, California

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: original gatefold sleeve

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4706

Price: $8.00

Cost: $66.00

 

Their first compilation release, 1970's "The Worst of Jefferson Airplane" pulled together 15 tracks from their first six album ("Takes Off" through "Volunteers").  While it wasn't the perfect retrospective, the album served as a nice introduction to Airplane line-ups 1 and 2.  You also got a decent feel for the musical interests of each of the major players (Balin, Kantner and Slick).  While getting people to agree on the perfect  track selection would be impossible (no 'Wooden Ships'), there were no major surprises here and on the whole it made for a nice way to get an occasional Airplane fix while allowing you to avoid the filler and throwaway crap that cluttered much of the original records.  It certainly sold well, hitting # 12 on the charts.


"The Worst of The Jefferson Airplane" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) It's No Secret  (Marty Balin) - 2:37

2.) Blues from an Airplane  (Marty Balin - Skip Spence) - 2:10

3.) Somebody To Love   (Grace Slick - Darby Slick) - 2:54

4.) Today   (Marty Balin - Paul Kantner) - 2:57

5.) White Rabbit   (Grace Slick) - 2:27

6.) Embryonic Journey (instrumental)   (Jorma Kaukonan - 1:51

7.) Martha  (Paul Kantner) - 3:21

8.) The Ballad of You & Me & Pooneil  (Paul Kantner) - 4:30

 

(side 2)
1.) Crown of Creation  (Paul Kantner) - 2:53

2.) Chushingura   (Spencer Dryden) - 1:17

3.) Lather   (Grace Slick) - 2:55

4.) Plastic Fantastic Lover   (Marty Balin) - 3:39

5.) Good Shepherd (traditional - arranged by Jorma Kaukonan - 4:22

6.) We Can Be Together  (Paul Kantner) - 5:50

7.) Volunteers   (Marty Balin - Paul Kantner) - 2:03

 

 

 

 

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Bark

Company: Grunt

Catalog: FTR-1001

Year: 1971

Country/State: San Francisco, California

Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+

Comments: includes original outer paper bag and lyric insert

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 5504

Price: $25.00

 

1971 found the Jefferson Airplane at the end of their long term contract with RCA Victor.  The band started looking for a new deal, but ultimately ended up renewing with RCA with the understanding that they'd be allowed to start their own custom label - Grunt.  Recorded between Balin's decision to quit (he subsequently reappeared as lead vocalist for Bodacious D.F), drummer  Spencer Dryden's resignation (Joey Covington being brought in as a replacement), Slick becoming a mom (and then suffered a near fatal accident in her Mercedes), and growing alcohol and drug issues in the band, the first release for Grunt was 1971's "Bark".

 

Given the personal an personnel upheaval surrounding the album, the results were surprisingly impressive.  Long two of the band's creative mainstays Kanter and Slick both turned in some of their best efforts.  Kantner's activist 'When the Earth Moves Again' was better than anything on his solo albums.  Slick shined on 'Crazy Miranda'.  That said, the biggest surprise came in the form of longstanding guitarist Jorma Kaukonen's contributions.  Possibly inspired by the recent outside successes he and Jack Cassady had enjoyed with Hot Tuna, Kaukonen stepped into the limelight with four contributions including the killer rocker 'Feel So Good' which would have made a dandy single and the acoustic ballad 'Third Week In the Chelsea' which was apparently a lament reflecting his growing disenchantment with the band and the rock and roll lifestyle.  Not only did Kaukonen showcase his writing skills, but he also stepped into the vocal spotlight sharing leads with Slick on the song.  As for the highlights, the bluesy 'Pretty As You Feel' featured Carlos Santana on lead guitar and drummer Covington sharing lead vocals with Slick.  Nice comment on plastic surgery and other efforts at enhancing youth.  The LP wasn't perfect.  The decision to recruit violinist Papa John Creach into the band wasn't necessarily a bad idea, but showcasing him on the instrumental 'Wild Turkey' wasn't a smart idea. Kantner's 'War Movie' indicated the combination of his penchant for sci-fi and illicit drugs had gone seriously astray. Slick's 'Never Argue with a German If You're Tired or European Song' was in the running for worst Airplane song of all time.  Covington's 'Thunk' was just bad.  Finally be forewarned the LP has a strange, tinny echoic sound.  Hard to accurately describe it, but it gives parts of the LP an irritating almost metallic edge.  Blame the band since they produced the album.  Elsewhere the album was tapped for a single in the form of::

 

 

- 1971's 'Pretty As You Feel' b/w 'Wild Turkey' (Grunt catalog number 65-0500) # 60 pop

 

As mentioned, the album's not particularly rare or expensive (it hit # 11 and sold gold), but finding a copy with the original outer sleeve/bag (particularly in good condition) and the lyric / 'suggestion' insert is a tougher proposition.  

 

 

"Bark" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) When the Earth Moves Again   (Paul Kantner) - 3:51

2.) Feel So Good   (Jorma Kaukonen) - 4:35

3.) Crazy Miranda   (Grace Slick) - 3:21

4.) Pretty As You Feel    (Joey Covington - Jack Cassady - Jorma Kaukonen) - 4:25

5.) Wild Turkey (instrumental)   (Jorma Kaukonen) - 4:43

 

(side 2)
1.) Law Man   (Grace Slick) - 2:40

2.) Rock and Roll Island   (Paul Kanter) - 3:40

3.) Third Week In the Chelsea   (Jorma Kaukonen) - 4:30

4.) Never Argue with a German If You're Tired or European Song   (Grace Slick( - 4:31

5.) Thunk    (Joey Covington) - 2:57

6.) War Movie    (Paul Kantner) - 4:41

 

 

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Long John Silver

Company: Grunt

Catalog: FTR-1007

Year: 1972

Country/State: San Francisco, California

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: original gimmick sleeve

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4707

Price: $12.00

 

 

 Given how mediocre the previous set  had been, anything including 1972's "Long John Silver" was bound to be an improvement.  The set was recorded in the midst of  yet another series of personnel changes; bassist Casady replaced by former Quick Silver Messenger Service David Freiberg and drummer Joey Covington replaced by former Turtles drummer John Barbata.  With Kantner sounding pretty much out of the proceedings, the collection shifted the spotlight to Slick's increasingly frayed voice and haphazard compositional skills.  Hardly the highlight of their catalog, but not a complete washout, several efforts including the title track, 'Milk Train' and Kantner's rocking 'Twilight Double Leader' (sounding like a precursor to the forthcoming Jefferson Starship era), at least bore recognizable melodies. Backed by an American tour which saw Slick maced, Kantner hurt and Casady busted on drug charges), the collection proved another strong seller, reaching # 20. The album also served as the Airplane's final studio release; future efforts credited to The Jefferson Starship.  Originally released with an elaborate gatefold sleeve which could be folded to served as a stash box - seriously, the instructions were printed on the inner sleeve !!!, the packaging was actually more creative than the music.  Following the set's release guitarist Jorma Kakounen decided to quit joining Casady in their outside project Hot Tuna.   Grunt also tapped the album for a pair of singles:

- 1972's 'Long John Silver' b/w  Milk Train' (Grunt catalog number 65-0506)
- 1972's 'Twilight Double Leader' b/w 'Trial By Fire' (Grunt catalog number 65-0511)

"Long John Silver" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Long John Silver   (Grace Slick - Jack Casady) - 4:22 
2.) Aerie (Gang of Eagles)   (Grace Slick) - 4:46
3.) Twilight Double Leader   (Paul Kantner) - 4:46
4.) Milk Train   (Grace Slick - Papa John Creach - Roger Spotts) - 3:22

(side 2)
1.) The Son of Jesus   (Paul Kantner) - 5:30
2.) Easter?   (Grace Slick) - 4:05
3.) Trial By Fire   (Jorma Kaukonen) - 4:38
4.) Alexander the Medium   (Paul Kantner) - 6:50

BACK TO BADCAT FRONT PAGE

BACK TO BADCAT CATALOG PAGE

BACK TO BADCAT PAYMENT INFORMATION