Jefferson Starship - Jefferson's Tree of Liberty

The legendary Jefferson Starship is at it again. Moving forward by reaching back, and in doing so, daringly casting a light for a new generation of change-makers riveted by the group's first new studio album in a decade, Jeffersons' Tree Of Liberty. The 18 song CD finds the group harnessing rare gems from the great folk tradition that inspired the rock n' roll hall of fame band more than 4 decades ago. The brainchild of singer/songwriter/band co-founder Paul Kantner (and co-produced by band manager Michael Gaiman, recurring Jefferson Airplane/ Jefferson Starship fixture and Quicksilver Messenger Service founder David Freiberg and Paul Kantner), the album mixes it up with Jefferson's trademark knack for defying fans' expectations as well as their own, introducing a soaring new female voice on many of the songs, Cathy Richardson, and tapping rock icon and original Jefferson treasure Grace Slick to appear on the album's mesmerizing `Easter Egg' bonus track. Album Description

Sometimes, it's better not to look back

I love the old Jefferson Starship - Blows Against the Empire, and even other 'revolutionary' themed offerings from Paul Kantner and Grace Slick (Sunfighter, Planet Earth Rock and Roll Orchestra), so was thrilled when I had heard they had released a 'new' old themed CD - if there were ever times that screamed for some type of protest, it's got to be the last 8 years of Republican controlled government (the Democrat controlled congress is a moot point if they can't override a veto), anyway - I thought, "cool, my sixties revolutionairies are back .... hooray". But when I got this, they just sounded old and dated. Maybe it's me, but I just didn't find what I was looking for with this CD. Is it 'revolutionary', well .... at times, but mostly, it just struck me as a lament for old days by a bunch of once great, but now dated artists. Cathy Richarson, who that takes the Grace Slick vocal slot, does a fine job - and can hold her own with Grace Slick in her prime, but there's no passion in these songs. They seem like half-hearted, folksy ditties that don't measure up to their predecessors. Sometimes, it's not a good thing to look back. Marty Balin is on this, but his voice is gone. Paul Kantner sounds familiar, but older, and overall, kind of washed up. If you're a die hard and want to complete a collection, then go ahead and get this, but if you're looking for something like Blows Against the Empire, or for that matter - any other Jefferson Starship Cd, you'll probably find this lacking. November 15, 2008

Going to have to prove themselves...

I am a fan of Airplane/Starship from all the way back to the late 60's and early 70's. The late Starship stuff was pretty insipid, nothing I could recommend. I hope this is a genuine rebirth...but I am cautious. How about providing old fans with some samples??
November 15, 2008

What's Your Favorite Stripe on the Flag?

Wow! Paul Kantner and friends travel all the way around, back to the beginning, then break through to a new dimension! This is amazing, heartfelt stuff, drawing upon myriad influences from the early days. Yet it's not for Kantner to look backwards without looking forward. One could call it interplanetary folk music. Further! November 11, 2008

Ain't marching anymore

I did it to myself again. I read about this new disc of protest/folkish songs by the resurrected Starship and siad this sounds like it could be great. Maybe it could have but lordy. lordy this sucks. Someday I will learn that you can never go home.

I really liked the Airplane (despite a stint back stage with the truly unlikeable Grace Slick in the 60s); still do. The Starship had their moments but did begin to get a little too pop oriented. Nonetheless, most of their music was on the plus side.

Well, something went dreadfully wrong. It took days to finish listening to all the cuts once. Then it immediately was taken out of the jewel case and put into a plastic sleeve and taken to the basement where maybe my heirs will give it a spin. I will never listen to it again.

Thomas Jefferson is rolling over November 10, 2008

Full Circle

It's nice to see a band remain not only active but relevant for more than 40 years. I'm always excited when the Jeffersons (Airplane/Starship) come out with something new. I wish it happened more frequently.

'Jefferson's Tree of Liberty' goes back to the sounds and songs of protest of the late '50's into the '60's. As Paul Kantner has said, sort of a reverse (electric to acoustic) of the route Bob Dylan went. The timeliness of these older songs having come full circle back to relevancy is almost eerie. The times now, the political and economic climate today almost demand an album like this.

There are 19 songs in all. The 19th, 'Surprise, surprise (look what's goin' down)' is not even listed but is one of my favorites, featuring the single song return of Grace Slick. Her voice still has the same magical qualities. My favorite song which I've heard hundreds of times now is 'Chimes of Freedom.' The harmonies are exquisite. The rest of the album has a range of styles, messages and singers from thoughout the Jeffersons' history. Marty Balin is even on a couple of tracks. The messages carry more weight than the sounds of these other songs, which for the most part, I could take or leave myself, but just hearing something fresh from Starship was refreshing enough for me. October 28, 2008

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