The Jefferson Airplane's first 4 LPs, remastered for your listening pleasure. The first two have both mono and stereo mixes. Historically interesting psychedelia, but was this box really necessary, at an outrageous price?
One pill makes you larger, and one pill makes you small, and the ones that RCA gives you, makes you greedier than all. Apologies to Grace.
I know some people have criticized the price of this set, though now that it's out of print, it seems that reasonable copies are out there for the taking. Other reviewers have stated that the mono mixes don't add much. With all due respect: Nonsense! Some of the stuff on "Surrealistic Pillow" especially sounds COMPLETELY different when you hear it in mono instead of stereo.
In fact, I will say that the mono mixes probably outshine the stereo mixes for "Jefferson Airplane Takes Off," the band's first album. That shouldn't come as a great surprise, since this material was recorded nearly 50 years ago now, smack-dab in the middle of the 1960s; at the time, mono was still quite common, though stereo was making significant inroads. Engineers were much more used to it, and much more proficient at producing good, balanced mixes.
As for "Surrealistic Pillow," the second album, the mono/stereo thing is a matter of opinion. I enjoy both, so I appreciate the fact that this set provided a choice.
How things had changed by 1967, when the Airplane released "After Bathing at Baxters." I cannot imagine this album WITHOUT a stereo mix, which by this time had become almost a studio instrument unto itself. The Airplane takes full advantage of the new sonic atmosphere, shifting sounds from speaker and speaker and, in general, creating a more immersing or ambient experience. Of course, the musical style had changed dramatically, too; "Baxter's" was full-on acid rock, whereas its predecessor, "Pillow," was yet steeped very deeply in traditional folk.
And so there is no mono mix here of "Baxter's," nor of its follow-up "Crown of Creation," one of the Airplane's most powerful and rather sadly overlooked efforts. Grace Slick in particular is in excellent voice here, and her songwriting contributions are crucial, including the reflective, age-self-conscious "Lather."
I do agree with the critics who've wondered why this set did not include the Airplane's fifth studio album, "Volunteers." That was the last album before vocalist and founder Marty Balin left the band, so it would have seemed a natural break point. Besides, after Balin left, the Airplane was never the same -- both "Bark" and "Long John Silver" were mediocre compared with what the band had achieved.
Still, this is a great set, and a must for anyone who loves the Airplane or is curious about the direction of popular music in the 1960s.
If you're a fan and don't own these CD's already, this is a great buy. Those who are expecting a box set with anything extra will be disappointed. This is strictly for those who recognize the Airplane as one of the seminal groups of the 60's and wish to enjoy their golden era.
