Jefferson Airplane's 3rd album, 2nd with Grace Slick, is a psychedelic masterpiece. After Bathing At Baxter's opens with some melodic feedback that segues into Pooneil, one of my favorite songs, and we are flying from there on. The live version of Pooneil included in the bonus tracks was originally meant to open the album up but it was declared to long for a single so the shortened it. Thankfully we have the live version because it is one of the best versions of the song there is. Martha is a nice ballady song written about the 14 year old daughter of the mayor of Sausolito, CA who would run away and go to visit the band. The Last Wall of the Castle is a bluesy pyschedelic song by their lead guitarist Jorma Kaukonen. Rejoyce is Grace Slick writing about James Joyce's "Ulysses." Spare Chanyge is a long, psychedelic instrumental that spotlights bassist Jack Cassady and Jorma. The album ends with the beautiful anthem Won't You Try/Saturday Afternoon. The bonus tracks include like I said a superb live version of Pooneil, Martha (MONO), an alternate version of Two Heads, and Things Are Better in the East. Things Are Better... is a beautiful and poetic ballad written by Marty Balin during the time of their next album. Tagged on the end of Things Are Better... is a version of Young Girl Sunday Blues with the vocals removed.This is a must have album for any Airplane or psychedelic music fan.
Band Lineup:
Marty Balin - Vocals (and guitar?)
Grace Slick - Vocals, keyboards
Paul Kantner - Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
Jorma Kaukonen - Lead Guitar, Vocals on The Last Wall of the Castle
Jack Cassady - Bass
Spencer Dryden - Drums
My favorite tracks: The Ballad of You & Me & Pooneil (esp. the live version), Watch Her Ride, Spare Chaynge, and Wont You Try/Saturday Afternoon.
Track List
1. The Ballad Of You & Me & Pooneil
2. A Small Package Of Value Will Come To You, Shortly
3. Young Girl Sunday Blues
4. Martha
5. Wild Tyme (H)
6. The Last Wall Of The Castle
7. Rejoyce
8. Watch Her Ride
9. Spare Chaynge
10. Two Heads
11. Won't You Try/Saturday Afternoon
Bonus Tracks
12. The Ballad Of You & Me & Pooneil (Live - Long Version)
13. Martha (Mono Single Version)
14. Two Heads (Alternate Version)
15. Things Are Better In The East
DL
JOn
2 comments:
thanks kindly; also for letting us know in advance there's an added track (instro version of Young Girl Sunday Blues) after Thinks From The East!
btw, there's an instro version of Blues From An Airplane added onto Jefferson Airplane Takes Off in a similar manner, not to be missed either.
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beat-pop
Thank you for bringing back the '60's in all it's glory.....and this album and the Jeff so represent that!
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