Customer Reviews

Takes Off

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD is fabulous! It's a wonderful blend of folk/rock/blues with Marty Balin at the lead on most songs with this pre-Grace Slick era lineup of Jefferson Airplane. For a first CD, it's simply fantastic. Signe Anderson adds wonderful vocal additions to Balin's soulful vocals, while Kantner balances out the style with his deep folk-style voice. The first Jefferson Airplane release "It's No Secret" is wonderful and a precurser of what was to come in Jefferson Airplane's second CD - Surrealistic Pillow. The lyrics and arrangements definately show the times and make this CD a treasure for any CD collection!

RCA claims this is the original LP in it's entirety. Let's look at a few things: "Let Me In" original version contains the lyric "Don't tell me you want money" instead of 'it's so funny'. This version of "Runnin' Round This World" is NOT the album version but rather one that has no relation [on the LP Signe Anderson sings lead] to the album, and humorously censored by RCA [probably 'just for authenticity to this disc...]. Plus, the lyrics to "Run Around" were different on the original LP as well. So you have 3 songs that have no relation to the original LP. However, we can't afford these $... pressings to hear these things [RCA obviously doesn't care, and still frowns on the lyrics,most likely] , so you should find a tape trader who can get you a tape of the original record. However, disregard the fraudulent claim that this IS the original LP. I myself would like to hear the original in it's entirety rather than a poor sounding,muffuled boot. RCA, do a better job.....

Jefferson Airplane's 1966 Debut album, "Takes Off" is a sign of a very talented bunch of induviduals who haven't really learned to work together musically yet. All the right aspects are there- Good bass, good lead and vocals. It is evident that some songs were written to fill space on the LP, like "Run Around", before Kantner emerged as the lead songwriter of the group. Marty Balin, the groups founder, proves to do a great job of putting together an album for his newly founded group. To get to like these songs you have to spend time listening to them- "let the sun shine through the curtains". Give it time and you'll love it. Definetly not a bad album considering it's the head of the 50+ albums of the Jefferson Airplane family. Worth your time!

Many people dismiss this album because of the folk-rock sound and the presence of lead singer Signe Anderson, who was succeeded by the more popular Grace Slick. But Jefferson Airplane's roots were in folk rock and here, they are excellent. My personal favorites are "Chauffeur Blues" and "It's No Secret". At times, Signe is better than Grace! They do sound familiar, though... It's also cool because the entire album is on the CD twice, so you can just listen to it in stereo, then in mono! Very underestimated, but WELL worth the money!

Although it possesses its own "psychedlic" character, I suppose, this album is far removed from the self-conscious psychedelia of Crown of Creation and Baxter's. It might even be described as innocent.

Lots of love songs. Great stuff. "Runaround" is a true classic, as are a number of others.

Jefferson Airplane's 1966 debut 'Takes Off' is an interesting musical experience. Sure, the Airplane broke through a year later, in 1967, with 'Surrealistic Pillow,' but it's interesting to hear a younger Airplane lineup.

Unlike 'Surrealistic,' which is mostly psychedelic rock, 'Takes Off' has much more of a folk rock kind of sound. The album has always been overlooked by casual Airplane fans, and honestly, I fail to see why. It isn't there best album (I'd pick 'Surrealistic,' 'Volunteers' and 'Crown of Creation'), but it's still a solid record.

Much of the album is dominated by the vocals of Marty Balin. Balin's voice is at it's finest here. Also, take note of Signe Toly Anderson, the vocalist who came before Grace Slick, who sings most notably on 'Chaffeur Blues' and their take on The Youngbloods hit 'Let's Get Together.'

The lineup on this album was very different than on other ones. This is drummer Skip Spence's only album with the Airplane. He left in 1966 and was replaced by Spencer Dryden; Anderson left in 1966 as well and was replaced by Slick.

Of course, 'It's No Secret,' 'Come Up The Years' and 'Blues From An Airplane' are here, but there is far more to this album. For example, you never hear 'And I Like It' and 'Running Around This World' on the radio.

Overall, if you are an Airplane purist or a fan just seeking out some of their records, I strongly recommend their 1966 debut. The sound is very different from anything else they ever did, and that's not a bad thing, either. The folk rock sound actually kind of suits Airplane, in my opinion.

I strongly recommend this to the Airplane collector or the fan seeking their studio albums, but for casual fans, you are best just buying the compilations.

Recommended for the Jefferson Airplane collectors and die-hards. A very interesting listen indeed.

When I bought this CD, I knew what I was getting into. This is, after all, a Jefferson Airplane album WITHOUT Grace Slick, something that was hard to comprehend. And I have read a couple other reviews that blast this CD for studio omissions. I know nothing about that, so it does not affect my opinion. My only true complaint is the repetition of all songs, stereo and mono. Granted, it is a short album without the "echo", but that would have been fine.

Other than that, I think this is a great album, and I listen to it frequently. It shows that J.A. had a talent for folky feel-good music. Marty Balin is a great singer, and this album reflects that more than future releases that drowned him out in favor of the acid rock. "It's No Secret", "Blues From an Airplane", "Runnin Round This World", "Run Around", and "Don't Slip Away" all have a different flavor than other hits of that era, and J.A. has a great reputation for their brand of music. "Come Up The Years" is the only slow Balin ballad, and is pretty good. "Let's Get Together", if I am not mistaken is a precursor to "Come Together", made a year or two later. I prefer "Come Together" myself.

Over all, I was impressed by this early effort. It is not a "Surrealistic Pillow" or "Crown of Creation", but it is a sound seed to be respected.

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.

There has never been a more appropriate day to review the debut Jefferson Airplane effort. The female vocalist at the time Signe Anderson is now battling cancer and monetary issues. Before we get to the music, please help her. If you go to the Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship message boards, you will see information on making donations directly to Signe. If you need further information, please contact me directly and put Signe Anderson in the subject line.

As often happens in the world of rock and roll even passionate fans of a band will miss the actual birth. Deep Purple for example is often associated with the start of their musical journey when Ian Gillian took over the vocals, but they had three studio albums under their belt. The progressive band "Yes" had two records released, yet many people think the third album is their first.

The Jefferson Airplane did have a flight before the classic line-up took hold. The fantastic first record is before Grace Slick and Spencer Dryden (Drums) would be part of the crew.

The perfect opening track for the recording is Marty Balin's "Blues From An Airplane." After the first verse, any ear can decipher the brilliance and passion in his voice.

"It's No Secret" (Another Balin composition) would become a staple of the band's early stage repertoire. Balin changes gears and shows his musical diversity with the upbeat rocker.

"Tobacco Road" is indeed the often-covered tune written by John Loudermilk. The majority of folks may think of the Nashville Teens hit version, but the Airplane rendition is as good as any.

"Let's Get Together" (Written by Dino Valente) yeas later would become an anthem for the Youngbloods under the name of "Get Together." Before the well-deserved accolades were handed to them, the Airplane had done a superlative arrangement.

Signe Anderson's voice can be heard miles away on the brilliant "Chauffeur Blues." She relayed a great story to me for the book that during a studio session of the song a mixing board ended up exploding because the engineers had her levels too high.

If you don't already know how tight the reigns were on suggestive lyrics back then the bonus tracks will introduce you to the songs that were originally censored and how ridiculous the reasons were! Even from day one, Paul Kantner was pushing the musical envelope.

The remarkable achievement of the initial J.A. recording is the consistency. While they took some blues from Jorma, folk from Paul, and Marty's love for rhythm and blues, they also initiated a sound for the ages. As great as they would become, even if this line-up remained and the style didn't take the more esoteric approach, they could have had their place in history as a tremendous rock and roll band.

You will notice the nice folks at Amazon give you numerous ways to purchase the CD. One version gives you the mono and stereo mixes (Excellent for the fanatic). It is not the optimum choice if you are purchasing only one copy. The remastered CD with the eight additional tracks is the version to procure. You'll be rewarded with the uncensored versions of "Let Me In" and "Run Around." Play it once and it won't ever be too far from your hands.

Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

"Jefferson Airplane Takes Off" is a modest debut showcasing the Airplane in its musical infancy. The music on this CD is, with a few notable exceptions, commercial folk-rock. It lacks the imagination that characterizes the repetoire of more established folk-rockers such as The Byrds and Lovin' Spoonful. What we have are standard three-part folk harmonies and electric twelve-string guitars augmenting what are essentially songs about young love. The two "message" songs, "Get Together" by future QMS member Dino Valenti and "Tobacco Road" by Nashville tunesmith John D. Loudermilk round out a consistently entertaining but inconsequential set. The playing of lead guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and bassist Jack Casady is generally tentative, although "Let Me In", the hardest-rocking song here, has a rock-bottom roaming bassline and a to-die-for distorted guitar solo with enough feedback to signal what is just around the corner sonically for this group. Special mention should be made of the intriguing and surprisingly tight drumming by future Moby Grape rhythm guitarist Skip Spence. He'd only picked up the drums months before! His work on "Let Me In" is also stellar. Songwise, the best work is Marty Balin's and these are the band's early classics: "Come Up the Years" is a song about lust for a minor and sung sweetly without a trace of lechery ; "It's No Secret" is an unabashed and exuberant declaration of love; and "Blues From An Airplane", co-written with Spence, is a moody, heavy-rock rumination. His vocals soar throughout and he is ably assisted by the strong-voiced Signe Anderson (Grace Slick's predecessor) who has a rich solo on "Chauffeur Blues". A diverting album, but more for Airplane enthusiasts as the good stuff is just around the corner. In fact, there is little indication here of what the band is capable of doing. This edition includes both the stereo and mono mixes of "Takes Off" and a bonus track, "Runnin' Round This World", left off of the original album because it contains the word "trips". Why couldn't RCA have included bonus tracks on all its remasters? God knows, Airplane fans have had to buy these CDs a second time because of RCA's misleading claims on the first (inferior) CD editions of these albums.

When I bought this CD, I knew what I was getting into. This is, after all, a Jefferson Airplane album WITHOUT Grace Slick, something that was hard to comprehend. And I have read a couple other reviews that blast this CD for studio omissions. I know nothing about that, so it does not affect my opinion. My only true complaint is the repetition of all songs, stereo and mono. Granted, it is a short album without the "echo", but that would have been fine.

Other than that, I think this is a great album, and I listen to it frequently. It shows that J.A. had a talent for folky feel-good music. Marty Balin is a great singer, and this album reflects that more than future releases that drowned him out in favor of the acid rock. "It's No Secret", "Blues From an Airplane", "Runnin Round This World", "Run Around", and "Don't Slip Away" all have a different flavor than other hits of that era, and J.A. has a great reputation for their brand of music. "Come Up The Years" is the only slow Balin ballad, and is pretty good. "Let's Get Together", if I am not mistaken is a precursor to "Come Together", made a year or two later. I prefer "Come Together" myself.

Over all, I was impressed by this early effort. It is not a "Surrealistic Pillow" or "Crown of Creation", but it is a sound seed to be respected.