Record Reviews
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  | MARTY BALIN ~ BALIN / LUCKY
BGO 1079 (Barcode: 5017261210791) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1981 - 1982 Released: 2013
This is a reissue of the first two solo albums by American vocalist / guitarist / songwriter Marty BalinFind albums by this artist, primarily known as a founding member and one of lead vocalists of the seminal group Jefferson AirplaneFind albums by this artist and later Jefferson StarshipFind albums by this artist. Following his departure from the latter Balin started a solo career, which continues for many years. He died in 2018 leaving behind a glorious legacy in Rock music.
"BalinFind albums with this title", released originally in 1981, featured a team of highly talented but relatively anonymous musicians and presented nine songs, three of which were written by Jesse BarishFind albums by this artist (two of which charted as singles) and only one song was composed by Balin. In an attempt to disassociate his solo career from the Jefferson image, the material was much more "commercial", but his heartfelt vocals and excellent choice of material as well as the superb musicianship produced a Classic Rock gem.
"LuckyFind albums with this title", released in 1983, followed the same pattern as its predecessor, presenting ten excellent songs (one each by Balin and Barish). The album and the singles did not chart, but the music was every bit as good, only the times were changing.
Overall Balin had one of the most expressive voices of the American Rock and his legacy deserves to be remembered, not only because of nostalgic reasons, but primarily for its quality. They don´t make music like this any more.
| | Updated: 24/09/2020Posted: 24/09/2020 | CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | PAPA JOHN CREACH ~ FILTHY / PLAYING MY FIDDLE FOR YOU
ACADIA 8084 (Barcode: 805772808423) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1972 - 1974 Released: 2005
2nd and 3rd albums by US violinist Papa John CreachFind albums by this artist, who became famous after he joined Jefferson AirplaneFind albums by this artist towards the end of their days, an association that lasted for several years and continued with the establishment of offshoots Jefferson StarshipFind albums by this artist and Hot TunaFind albums by this artist. Although Creach was a generation older than the Airplane rockers and of Afro-American origin, his integration into the extended Airplane family worked like a dream, adding a new and exciting dimension to the group´s sound. Creach turned out to be a very prolific musician / composer and in addition to participating in many of the Airplane family recordings he released several albums under his own name on the Airplane "home" label GruntFind albums on this label Records. He also established his own band, named ZuluFind albums by this artist, which accompanied him on his recordings and included excellent players, such as guitarist Kevin MooreFind albums by this artist, keyboardist John ParkerFind albums by this artist, bassist Sam WilliamsFind albums by this artist and drummer Carl ByrdFind albums by this artist. The music is also quite different from the stuff he played with Airplane and consists of a great mixture of Jazz, Funk, Rhythm And Blues and Blues, focusing on the virtuoso violin performances. Most of the tracks are instrumental, although Creach handles the vocal parts very well. In retrospect these albums still sound fresh and are great fun to listen to, a document of an era when anything was possible and musicians were appreciated for their talent and given ample opportunity to explore it. A must for Jefferson Airplane buffs and violin lovers, smoking stuff!
| | Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | JEFFERSON STARSHIP ~ RED OCTOPUS
RCA 183545 ~ USA ~ Classic Rock
2nd album from 1975 by the Jefferson Airplane offshot / continuation group, which included most of the original JA members. This is considered to be their best effort with some memorable new songs and great playing. With renewed energy and zest they show again that the spirit of great rock is alive and kicking.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | GRACE SLICK ~ MANHOLE
ACADIA 8015 (Barcode: 805772801523) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1973 Released: 2005
1st album by US singer extraordinaire Grace SlickFind albums by this artist, one of America´s greatest female Rock stars of all times, who fronted the legendary Jefferson AirplaneFind albums by this artist and Jefferson StarshipFind albums by this artist bands for decades. She waited with the recording of her debut solo album for the demise of the original Jefferson Airplane and recorded it in the interim period between Airplane and Starship. Of course many of the Airplane members took part in the recording (reading like a who’s who of American Rock), but surprisingly the album is much more adventurous and "progressive" than any of the Airplane recordings. The title track is a 15+ minutes long suite, recorded with a symphony orchestra, which is described as "Theme from the Movie Manhole", but the movie is completely imaginary and never existed in fact. Slick simply realizes here her life-long fascination with cinematography and her wish to create a soundtrack for a movie, even if an imaginary one. She composed all but one of the tracks on the album, with several being co-composed with her Airplane (and life) buddies David FreibergFind albums by this artist and Paul KantnerFind albums by this artist. There is some incredible instrumental work present and of course her singing abilities were never better. Strangely this album remained unreleased on CD for almost three decades, hiding away one of the best moments of the Airplane family ever recorded. This new edition reveals a piece of musical history, which deserves to be appreciated and introduced to new generation of listeners, pointing the way to how music should be treated. This is a must to all Airplane fans and an invitation to those listeners, who never managed to get acquainted with that part of the American music scene.
| | | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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