Jefferson Airplane - Crown of Creation

Originally released in 1968, this RCA/BMG Heritage remastered reissue adds 4 bonus tracks 'Ribump Ba Bap Dum Dum', 'Would You like A Snack', 'Share A Little Joke' (single version-mono) & 'The Saga Of Sydney Spacepig' (previously unreleased). Includes 12-page booklet with extensive liner notes, detailed track listing & rare photos. 2003. Album Description

Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab release

I can easily agree with all the praise for this album; it's been my faovrite JA album since hearing it in 1970. Just thought I would mention this one thing: If you ever get the chance to buy the MFSL issue of this CD, BUY IT INSTANTLY!!!! I found this one at a record shop about 5 years ago and almost had to change my underwear when I saw it. And it was better than I had imagined. This is one CD I'm going to take to my grave. January 15, 2008

Another turning point

Another of the albums that became a turning point in my life. The other reviews state everything about the album I could say. Let me just second the reviewer Pearl Drummer and say that Jack Casady is absolutely the BEST BASSIST ever, before or since (and completely underrated). His playing on the title track is so dense and complex that I never tire of hearing it. I wish I knew enough about engineering to separate it out so I could listen to it alone.
May 28, 2007

My favourite Airplane album

After the more experimental and overtly psychedelic After Bathing at Baxter's Crown of Creation marks a return to the shorter songs and more "commercial" (remember, everything is relative) sound of Surrealistic Pillow. It is my favourite Airplane record.

This LP is a perfect mix of eccentric slower-paced songs (Lather, Triad), plaintive Marty Balin (In Time, Shared a Little Joke), inspired Kaukonen (Star Track) and classic Airplane (Crown of Creation, Pooneil Corners). The only throwaway is the irritating Chushingura. And it is only1:16 in length. The remixed sound is a revelation. The newfound clarity and crispness really does enable us to fully appreciate the individual musical talents of the band. The bonus tracks on this re-release are eminently forgettable. No, they are more than that - they are positively annoying! However, on the basis of the songs from the original LP this is a five star effort.
April 18, 2007

I Don't Really See-Why Can't We Go On As Free?

Yes. I saw the review that Guido wrote and, needless to say, I was metamortified! Let me say people, it is very difficult having a guide that is a party animal. When we did talk, he admitted that he was very drunk at the time and that since my reviews had achieved a certain fame, he felt very left out. He apologized (which was feigned), promised never to do it again (an excuse designed to make me leave), and offered vast amounts of help in the future (never once moving from his comfortable barstool). I suggested counseling for him. He was not happy with that. But since I could do no more, I just let things be. Eventually I learned from my other guides that he blames me totally for ALL of his problems! We are talking about a serious case of denial here people! However, I have decided to let his review stand and be a testimony to my good heart and fair-minded forgiveness. The faithful will certainly appreciate and be awed by my irreverent behavior and follow all my reviews forthwith. Yes. And I have learned to lock my laptop when I'm away!
But, let's get to this fine psychedelic classic that beloved Airplane offered many Seer moons ago.
Well- it certainly seems like the Airplane wanted to make a huge IMPACT on us with this album. Why else put them in the atom bomb? (By and by-one of Metamorpho's favorite covers of all time!). But it seems that-with "Crown of Creation" they reeled in more control after the uncontrollable "Baxters". However, they moved the creativity forward and, in this, achieved a great mix of songs. And what is so moving in that is the fact that each composition is a totally unique entity. Never one sounding the same as another-they achieved artistic integrity. And that is due to the immense talent of all the individuals.
We begin with "Lather"- Grace Slick's ode to getting older. Not a rocker-it moves on insistently with a lullaby. How appropriate! But what totally makes this song are the "extras". The little effects they throw in to make the song so rich. The typewriter in the background; the cannon shot from a tank; the seagulls circling on a beach, the sound of Lather's hand; Jorma's "child crying", and Hari Kari as a game to play. This song is so classic and satisfying that they needn't have done more. But they did.
"In Time" is a psychedelic sexual fantasy. And Kantner does a good job on this. But here, and elsewhere, begins Grace's extended background vocal "glue" that binds the whole thing together. She is most noted for the Marty and Grace yin and yang, push and pull, of vocals. And, herein, lies alot of the reason that their sound was most alluring.
Ah. Then they do David Crosby's amazing "Triad". Grace's "come to me" vocals are exactly right for the message. Crosby, more or less, got kicked out of The Byrds for this. In Airplane's hands, they "fly" with it. Rebels will try "something new-if you're crazy too". And they do it so well.
Jorma's writing shines on "Star Track". And his lead is amazing. Ultimately, it is about not taking the world so seriously. "Push the world on by with your hand", or else you'll be like a rat in a cage-running to please the "establishment" and ruining yourself in the process. We then get to Marty's excellent "Share a Little Joke". This is a favorite of Metamorpho's. It is the exhubance of moving towards happiness. "The world around you, never catches up with you". But the joke is one from within. Pay close attention to Marty's vocals, especially the rise to the break-then the lead-and the drum beat back to the vocals again. Intense and wonderful, it provides the exclamation point to the song. (!!!!!!!!)
After Spencer's psychedelic aural auditory assault of "Chushingura" we then settle back to the tunes. And, just as a note here. In many groups of the time, I think it unusual that the drummer would have been given his own time to create. But, with the Airplane, they were willing to try it and with sometimes, amazing effect. That's creativity folks!
"If You Feel" is a Marty excursion of sorts. Again, it is about the freedom to do as you feel. Whatever brings you joy. But to overanalyze it is a mistake. The words don't have to make sense if the feeling is what you're after-and this holds true for this song.
"Crown of Creation" is the cornerstone and namesake of this album, and in it,makes a clear cut line into the generation gap. It is not one of my favorites-but one of Airplane's essential tunes for their legacy. But, interestingly enough, we become exposed to their concept of "change" in this song and how it "changes" with outlook and perspective. (I will get into this with Grace's "Greasy Heart). But, for now, it relates that if their is no change-within yourself-you will become a "fossil of our time". Meaning the older generation. Life is change. How very true.
"Ice Cream Phoenix" seems like a drug trip and one designed around many questions. But the major one is that if the world is apocalyptic-how we still go on-love-and leave-and not feel sad about it. An ode-again- of moving towards happiness.
Ah. We then get to Slick's tease of "Greasy Heart". A jaunty tune for sure. Nitty and gritty and real life- Grace's lyrics here are out in left field. Mechanical but moving. But now the "don't ever change people" comes into play. Interestingly enough-she says change in "Crown of Creation" but "don't change" here. But, in a strange way-it does make sense. Compared to an older generation one must change-or rather-not to follow in the same footsteps. But here she is saying that once you decide to change, do not decide to change-especially for the ones who are important to you. It is confusing-but perhaps- that when you do change decide not to change back. Now that I've confused you (and myself) in the process, I'll just move along.
In "House at Pooneil Corners" we have the apocalpse Airplane style. Listen to the music. It's disjointed-downright disturbing-set in a meter to grate on you. But, it is totally consistent with the theme. Again, an Airplane genius that shines through.
The extra tracks are interesting. And some from other releases and out-takes. But, the main body of work stands on the sheer, intriguing talent of this band.
In closing- I would be remiss if I didn't mention the incredible contribution of Jack Cassidy. Innovative and fresh bass lines that, when you listen, are all over the fret board. At first you may think his bass riffs make no sense- but they all do! Again- he uses the bass as part AND apart from what is going on elsewhere. And this, people, is years before Chris Squire from Yes. Jack Cassidy created it. Chris Squire ran with it. But that is the chain of influences so prevailent in music. Always happens-always will.
In closing- I did this review because: A) I love the music and B) I wanted to show Guido that there is still a spark of life in this old Seer. Now that it's all over- I may saunter over to The Fishnet to share a beer with that wayward guide. Don't worry-I'll leave early. Metamorpho needs his sleep in order to proffer his well-heralded reflections!
To all- A good night and a great life. Keep moving on!
Your own-----Metamorpho
January 15, 2007

Doesn't Hold Up In the 2000's

I start out by saying I was a huge Jefferson Airplane fan and saw them live twice. One of the better Bay Area's bands, and one of the best live shows ever.

Regretably, this album does not hold up well to modern standards. "Lather" is a wierd drug induced anti-war child becomes man theme without a melody or discernable beat. "Triad" is a nice song, better sampled by the Byrds in one of their outtake CD's currently available.

"If You Feel" is a nice Marty Balin song, which is throwback to the 1st two Jefferson Airplane albums, and a precursor to his excellent singing and songwriting career.

"Greasy Heart" is an excellent example of Grace Slick and Paul Kanter singing duets.

Other than these two tracks, which are five star songs, the album simply doesn't translate well into this milenium. July 15, 2006

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