Customer Reviews

Early Flight

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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.

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.

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.

No one seems to know about this album, and ironically it's my favorite by the band. There are a surprising number of good songs and album is surprising consistent considering the difference in personal and the fact that it isn't really a proper album as much as a collection of leftovers. Highly recommended for fans of the band, the genre or the era (note `Mexico' a little known political track). Standout tracks are `Go To Her', `Have you Seen the Saucers' and especially `High Flying Bird'. The latter, sung be Signe Anderson, proves that Airplane might well have been a big hit even without Grace Slick.

This wonderful 1974 compilation features nine rare tracks recorded between 1966 and 1970. Those nine tracks are...

*HIGH FLYIN' BIRD: This should have been included on the debut album instead of "Let's Get Together". Oh well. (Signe Anderson is featured prominently.)

*RUNNIN' ROUND THIS WORLD: B-Side of the 1966 "It's No Secret" 45. (Removed from the first issue of "Jefferson Airplane Takes Off" because it contained the naughty word "trips".) This was a staple of early JA stage shows.

*IT'S ALRIGHT: Outtake from "Jefferson Airplane Takes Off". It's alright.

*IN THE MORNING: Six minute blues jam recorder after hours during a "Surrealistic Pillow" session. Jorma on vocals with guests Jerry Garcia on guitar and John Hammond blowin' harp.

*J.P.P. McSTEP B. BLUES: Another "Surrealistic Pillow" outtake. Top notch.

*GO TO HER: One more leftover from "Surrealistic Pillow" featuring Marty and Grace. (Why didn't this make the cut? It's terrific!)

*UP OR DOWN: Six 1/2 minute, heavy rockin' outtake recorded early on during the "Bark" sessions. Marty was still in the band...but not for long.

*MEXICO: Non-album single written and sung by Grace. Pro-marijuana and anti-Nixon, it was banned from US radio in 1970. Go figure. (Placed #102 on Billboard's singles chart.)

*HAVE YOU SEEN THE SAUCERS: Non-album B-Side of the "Mexico" single. This Kanter composition ranks with Airplane's best. (A live version opened JA's 1973 posthumous live album "Thirty Seconds Over Winterland".)

This wonderful 1974 compilation features nine rare tracks recorded between 1966 and 1970. Those nine tracks are...

*HIGH FLYIN' BIRD: This should have been included on the debut album instead of "Let's Get Together". Oh well. (Signe Anderson is featured prominently.)

*RUNNIN' ROUND THIS WORLD: B-Side of the 1966 "It's No Secret" 45. (Removed from the first issue of "Jefferson Airplane Takes Off" because it contained the naughty word "trips".) This was a staple of early JA stage shows.

*IT'S ALRIGHT: Outtake from "Jefferson Airplane Takes Off". It's alright.

*IN THE MORNING: Six minutes rom an after hours blues jam during the "Surrealistic Pillow" sessions. Jorma's on vocals with guests Jerry Garcia on guitar and John Hammond blowin' harp.

*J.P.P. McSTEP B. BLUES: Another "Surrealistic Pillow" outtake.

*GO TO HER: One more leftover from "Surrealistic Pillow" featuring Marty and Grace. (Why didn't this make the cut? It's terrific!)

*UP OR DOWN: Six 1/2 minute, heavy rockin' outtake recorded early on during the "Bark" sessions. Marty was still in the band...but not for long.

*MEXICO: Non-album single written and sung by Grace. Pro-marijuana and anti-Nixon, it was banned from US radio in 1970. Go figure. (Placed #102 on Billboard's singles chart.)

*HAVE YOU SEEN THE SAUCERS: Non-album B-Side of the "Mexico" single. This Kanter composition ranks with Airplane's best. (A live version opened JA's 1973 posthumous live album "Thirty Seconds Over Winterland".)

"Early Flight" was the final Jefferson Airplane album to be issued, in 1974. Before the year was out, Jefferson Starship's debut as a band (if not a name), "Dragonfly" became a surprise hit, sealing JA's fate and legacy.

Most of the nine tracks have since been included on various CDs in the Airplane reissue series headed by Bob Irwin since 2003, and in case you haven't bothered, I'll stress that all titles are vastly superior to earlier editions, some dramitically so. But collectors take note: the songs on "Early Flight" were evidently mixed specifically for the original 1974 edition, and in some cases sound radically different from those appended to the reissues. And since BMG has in its less than infinite wisdom stopped short of reissuing this great band's entire catalog covering 1965 - 74 (still no "Bark", "Long John Silver" and poor "Thirty Seconds Over Winterland" which was also missed in the last reissue campaign as well, during the mid-90s). Therefore the six-minute funk gem "Up Or Down" (written by Peter Kaukonen, recorded during 1970) is available only here. And the 1970 single "Have You Seen The Saucers"/"Mexico" is available in remastered form only on the 2-CD "Essential" compilation (where it sounds terrific and, again, different). In any any event despite its brevity "Early Flight" is a very strong collection, highly enjoyable on its own terms. And let's hope (or write and request) to see those missing Airplane titles remastered and expanded with the rest of the catalog, for the 21st century.

I'm addicted fo Jefferson Airplane, its CDs rarely leave my car. For me and other fans this release is interesting but for those that are just beginning the trip with Jefferson Airplane can just miss this.

Most of the tracks have been previously been released, but the news are very welcome.

The main focus goest to "High Flyin' Bird" which is among the best things produced by the Airplane. The lyrics are superb and the music is intriguing, but... the Monterey Pop Festival live performance is much more sincere. However it is good to have this prime work release in a studio work.

Another good track is "Go to Her", an energic track that is also among the best Airplane work.

In 1996, RCA reissued the Airplane back catalog including this album. This features "Runnin' Round This World" in it's uncensored mono mix. Also of note is "That's Alright" "Go to Her" and "High Flyin' Bird" - "Takes Off" era rarities available here.