Early Flight [Original recording remastered]

Jefferson Airplane | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 29, 1997)
• Original Release Date: 1974
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000002X1P
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #143,534 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. High Flyin' Bird

2. Runnin' 'Round This World

3. That's Alright

4. In The Morning

5. J.P.P. Mc Step B. Blues

6. Go To Her

7. Up Or Down

8. Mexico

9. Have You Seen The Saucers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Missing entries from the flight log, June 27, 2000

By 

Tyson D. Rahmeier - See all my reviews

This review is from: Early Flight (Audio CD)

Once the most difficult Jefferson Airplane album to locate, EARLY FLIGHT combines an interesting selection of album outtakes from the golden years, 1965-1970. The first three tracks, "High Flyin' Bird," "Runnin' Round This World," and "It's Alright" come from the December 1965 sessions that resulted in the debut album JEFFERSON AIRPLANE TAKES OFF. Previous to the release of EARLY FLIGHT, "High Flyin' Bird" was only available on D.A. Pennebaker's MONTEREY POP documentary, "Runnin' Round This World" (originally on first pressings of TAKES OFF but subsequently banned) only available on hard-to-find 45 rpm singles, and "It's Alright" not available at all. The real treat of these three early tracks is the opportunity to listen to Signe Anderson, the Airplane's original female vocalist (before Grace Slick came over from The Great Society). The next three tracks, "In the Morning," "J.P.P. McStep Blues," and "Go to Her," are outtakes from SURREALISTIC PILLOW, the Airplane's second LP. The real treasure is "In the Morning," an early-hours blues jam among Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady, Spencer Dryden, John Paul Hammond, and Jerry Garcia. "Go to Her" is a energetic piece and a frequent number at live shows. It apparently never made it onto an album because the Airplane felt their studio takes could never match their live performances. The last three tracks, "Mexico," "Have You Seen the Saucers," and "Up or Down," come from 1970, shortly before Marty Balin left the Airplane. "Mexico" and "Have You Seen the Saucers" were originally released as a 45 rpm single which was difficult to find. EARLY FLIGHT makes these songs readily available. "Up or Down," written by Peter Kaukonen (Jorma's brother), is an impressive vocal showcase for Marty Balin and a reminder of what a vocal talent the Airplane lost when Marty left the band. In summary, EARLY FLIGHT is an enjoyable and interesting tour through lesser-known Jefferson Airplane works.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential for any Jefferson Airplane fan!, January 15, 2001

By 

Charles Little (Bad Axe, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Early Flight (Audio CD)

Early Flight is a collection of Jefferson Airplane's recordings that were not previously released on any studio album. The opening track, "High Flying Bird," is a masterpiece featuring Balin and Signe Anderson, it is a beatiful combination of poetry and vocals, and one of the best examples of Anderson's contribution to Jefferson Airplane's success.

The second track, "Runnin' Around This World" is also a good example of material you would find on the Airplane's first studio album, "Jefferson Airplane Takes Off."

Though the album mainly consists of Balin material, there is some definite Airplane classics, such as the apocalytic, sci-fi themed "Have You Seen the Saucers," and Slick's "Mexico," a fabulous recording about Richard Nixon's attempt to stop drug smuggling between Mexico and the United States, fits into the Volunteers political scheme. A must for any Jefferson Airplane fan.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Missing entries from the flight log, June 27, 2000

By 

Tyson D. Rahmeier - See all my reviews

This review is from: Early Flight (Audio CD)

Once the most difficult Jefferson Airplane album to locate, EARLY FLIGHT combines an interesting selection of album outtakes from the golden years, 1965-1970. The first three tracks, "High Flyin' Bird," "Runnin' Round This World," and "It's Alright" come from the December 1965 sessions that resulted in the debut album JEFFERSON AIRPLANE TAKES OFF. Previous to the release of EARLY FLIGHT, "High Flyin' Bird" was only available on D.A. Pennebaker's MONTEREY POP documentary, "Runnin' Round This World" (originally on first pressings of TAKES OFF but subsequently banned)only available on hard-to-find 45 rpm singles, and "It's Alright" not available at all. The real treat of these three early tracks is the opportunity to listen to Signe Anderson, the Airplane's original female vocalist (before Grace Slick came over from The Great Society). The next three tracks, "In the Morning," "J.P.P. McStep Blues," and "Go to Her," are outtakes from SURREALISTIC PILLOW, the Airplane's second LP. The real treasure is "In the Morning," an early-hours blues jam among Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady, Spencer Dryden, John Paul Hammond, and Jerry Garcia. "Go to Her" is a energetic piece and a frequent number at live shows. It apparently never made it onto an album because the Airplane felt their studio takes could never match their live performances. The last three tracks, "Mexico," "Have You Seen the Saucers," and "Up or Down," come from 1970, shortly before Marty Balin left the Airplane. "Mexico" and "Have You Seen the Saucers" were originally released as a 45 rpm single and was difficult to find. EARLY FLIGHT makes these songs readily available. "Up or Down," written by Peter Kaukonen (Jorma's brother), is an impressive vocal showcase for Marty Balin and a reminder of what a vocal talent the Airplane lost when Marty left the band. In summary, EARLY FLIGHT is an enjoyable and interesting tour through lesser-known Jefferson Airplane works.