Jefferson Starship - The Best of Mick's Picks

  by Carl Bookstein

published: 31 / 3 / 2012

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Review

Jefferson Airplane was a visionary, heralded child of the 1960s. Initiated by Airplane members Paul Kantner, Grace Slick and Marty Balin, Jefferson Starship was an underrated, highly melodic vehicle of the 1970s. By 1985, the uninspired commercial group Starship remained. Ultimately none of the original Jefferson Airplane stayed on with this band. The current Jefferson Starship bears no relation to the Mickey Thomas-led “Starship” group. Jefferson Starship's 'The Best of Mick’s Picks' captures Kantner and sometimes Balin in the late 1990s and 2000s live in concert. They rely heavily on classic 1960's material from Jefferson Airplane- one of the most iconic bands to arise from the San Francisco, California Bay Area music scene. Captured here, although perhaps not in peak form, is music that is nevertheless psychedelic, mellifluous and innovative in its time. These songs take the listener back to a hopeful era when blues went electric and revolution was in the air. 'Crown of Creation' opens the first set on a rocking note with vocals by band leader Paul Kantner and Diane Mangano, taking over the Grace Slick female-lead vocal role. The Airplane hit 'Somebody to Love' finds this later day formation of the band firing on all cylinders, including some distinctive lead guitar work. 'Wooden Ships' is lovely- a legendary song and a staple for both Jefferson Airplane and Crosby, Stills and Nash. Mangano puts forth a beautiful vocal rendition of 'Eskimo Blue Day' with fine organic instrumentals backing her up. Also included in this live collection is a solid rendition of 'White Rabbit', the Alice in Wonderland hallucinogenic inspired classic: “Remember what the dormouse said; 'Feed your head'.” Marty Balin puts in a fine vocal on the excellent Jefferson Starship number 'St. Charles', evocatively singing “It’s all in a dream.” 'Today', the soul stirring Marty Balin led ballad from the seminal Airplane album 'Surrealistic Pillow' is well performed here as well: “Today, everything you want I swear/It all will come true.” The collection winds to a close with 'Caroline', a Kantner- Balin songwriting collaboration, one of the best in the Jefferson Starship cannon. The final number is 'Ride the Tiger', an electric finish. This collection, essentially taken from shows at four different venues from New York to Liverpool, offers a window into the live workings of Jefferson Starship, over the past decade plus.

Track Listing:-

1 Crown of Creation
2 Somebody to Love
3 Wooden Ships
4 Martha
5 Eskimo Blue Day
6 Sunrise Have You Seen the Stars Tonight
7 White Rabbit
8 Volunteers
9 St Charles
10 My Best Friend
11 J.P.P. McStep B. Blues
12 Today
13 Summer of Love
14 She Has Funny Cars
15 D.C.B.A.-25
16 3/5ths of a Mile in 10 Seconds
17 Plastic Fantastic Lover
18 Kisses Sweeter Than Wine
19 Million
20 Get Together
21 Pride of Man
22 Shadowlands
23 Sketches of China
24 Your Mind Has Left Your Body
25 Miracles
26 Jane
27 Ride

Band Links:-

http://www.jeffersonstarshipsf.com/
https://www.facebook.com/officialjeffe
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferso

Label Links:-

http://www.floatingworldrecords.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/floating.worl
https://twitter.com/floatingwrecord