Jefferson Airplane - Surrealistic Pillow
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CD Details
Artist: Jefferson AirplaneEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Original recording remastered
CD Release Date: 2003-08-19
Music Label: RCA
Soundtracks:
- She Has Funny Cars
- Somebody To Love
- My Best Friend
- Today
- Comin' Back To Me
- Of A Mile In 10 Seconds
- D.C.B.A. - 25
- How Do You Feel
- Embryonic Journey
- White Rabbit
- Plastic Fantastic Lover
- In The Morning
- J.P.P. MeStep B. Blues
- Go To Her
- Come Back Baby
- Somebody To Love (Mono Single Version)
- White Rabbit (Mono Single Version)
Music reviews of Surrealistic Pillow
Music Review: "How Does It Feel" to own one of the best ever?
Rating: 5 Stars
As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various recordings from the 60's and 70's.
When the Rock & Roll Time Capsule is unearthed, somewhere after the time man has finally succeeded in destroying the planet proudly displayed will be Jefferson Airplane's "Surrealistic Pillow." Yes, Jerry Garcia will receive full credit for musical advisement, playing, and creative direction.
It seems a bit bizarre and without rational that the same people that grew up listening to eight track tapes, cassettes, and non-virgin vinyl recordings (Only Japan had used the technology of virgin vinyl in pressings LP's) woke up one day and have criticized the fidelity of every album being produced. A review should be about the contents of the songs. There is nothing wrong with the sound here and the addition of the bonus tracks are even further incentive for ownership.
The second flight of the Jefferson Airplane showed two changes in personnel. Signe Anderson the female vocalist on the first record had left to start a family and Grace Slick from the Great Society was the finest replacement possible. Drummer Spencer Dryden (Never got the credit he deserved for his tasty rhythmic patterns) was now part of the band (Skip Spence's next stop was "Moby Grape).
The album opens with one of the finest tunes the Airplane would construct. "She Has Funny Cars" with the perfect riff and strong vocals gets the listeners attention from the opening notes.
"Somebody To Love" one of two songs Grace brought with her from the "Great Society" is tremendous with the Airplane treatment. Make no mistake about it the "Great Society" performed a fine version. The J.A. fine-tuned things a bit and this version has been a stable of rock and roll Airplane for over 40 years. A great side note that Marty Balin told me for my Jefferson Airplane book. Grace also suggested a tune that the "Great Society" performed live "Sally Go Round The Roses." Their interpretation of the song is as good as any ever from a stage or studio. The Airplane would tell her two out of three isn't bad. Her next gem would be later on.
"My Best Friend" is light and on the poppy side. Some enjoy its place here and others feel it is not one of the stronger inclusions. I have to agree with the later. A good tune but when you are compared to Olympian efforts it can be overlooked.
"Today" is one of the finest songs ever penned. Marty Balin's vocal quality and pure emotion made time stop. All ears were glued to the speakers the first time the lyrics were heard. It is nothing short of spectacular.
"Comin Back To Me" is another example of Marty's captivating sound. Give him a ballad, rocker, or rhythm and blues standard and he can excel.
"3/5 Of A Mile In 10 Seconds" is another rocker. If the following doesn't grab you by the neck nothing will "Do away with people." Jorma's guitar in conjunction with the lyrical content is superb.
"D.C.B.A. 25" is poetry in motion. Paul Kantner's choice of words is able to balance the fine line of incredible articulation but not over the head of the listener. He can phrase sentences repeatedly with such command of the language that our attention doesn't divert for a micro-second. Sadly this wonderful tune never made it to the J.A. stage.
"How Do You Feel" There are multi layers of superlative presentation. The words, the vocal delivery, and Grace's incredible nuances. Listen to the tune twice in a row. The first time will knock you off the chair for its beauty. The second you'll feel her amazing accompaniment with the perfect phrasing.
"Embryonic Journey" One of the best instrumentals ever devised. Jorma's fingers display magic. This would be the first tune he would pen entirely by himself. It seems unfathomable that the results could be this earth shaking. To this day it is requested at every Hot Tuna and solo gig he is a part of.
"White Rabbit" was the other tune the "Great Society" performed. People often debate is it better than "Somebody To Love"? Why not call it a tie.
"Plastic Fantastic Lover" ends the musical odyssey as it began, with an upbeat rocker and captivating sounds. If Marty Balin didn't take the vocal helm it wouldn't seem right.
This pressing has bonus tracks (Only one rare) but it gives even greater perspective to the musical output of the band. Two in particular to check out if you aren't an avid fan and not aware of Jorma's perfect vocal inflections when he is singing the blues or folk, are "In The Morning (His original) and "Come Back Baby" (Lightnin' Hopkins). I mentioned there is one rarity. A hidden track contains an instrumental "D.C.B.A. 25."
As the legendary rock and roll photographer, Don Aters often says, "It is what it is." That is one of the finest ever.
Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"
Description of Surrealistic Pillow
Feed your head with the rare mono edition of this spellbinding time-capsule from the epicenter of the Summer of Love, San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury, circa 1967. On their groundbreaking first album with Grace Slick, the Jefferson Airplane brought their freshly-blooming psychedelia to the world at large with "White Rabbit" and "Somebody to Love." On high-definition vinyl, from the original analog masters.When she joined the Jefferson Airplane in 1966 as replacement for original vocalist Signe Anderson, Grace Slick brought with her two songs she'd performed in her previous band, the Great Society: "Somebody to Love" and "White Rabbit." Featured on this classic 1967 album, they became Top 10 hits, and helped establish both the San Francisco and the emerging counterculture they celebrated. With Jorma Kaukonen's sinewy guitar, Jack Casady's probing bass, and Spencer Dryden's inventive drumming swirling around Slick and co-vocalists Marty Balin and Paul Kantner on songs like "She Has Funny Cars" and "3/5 of a Mile in 10 Seconds," Surrealistic Pillow virtually defined the communal spirit of Summer of Love hippiedom. --Billy Altman
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