Jefferson Airplane Album: “Roar of Jefferson Airplane”

RCA, Jefferson Airplane's label, celebrated its 100 year anniversary in 2001 by releasing a bunch of compilations of the label's best known acts. There have been many compilations of Jefferson Airplane, but this one fits in nicely.

"The Roar of Jefferson Airplane" (14 tracks, 54 min.) thankfully brings the best of the band in chronological order, starting with "It's No Secret" from the band's 1965 debut album. 1968's "Greasy Heart" is a delight, with Grace Slick just soaring. This includes of course the band's best known song, "Somebody to Love", but "White Rabbit" is mysteriously absent (and reason I cannot rate this compilation higher than 4 stars). There are plenty of highlights, though, such as "The Last Wall of the Castle", with a great guitar solo from Jorma Kaukonen (he of Hot Tuna later on), and the accoustic "Plastic Fantastic Lover", among others.

Great also are the liner notes from Jeff Tamarkin, who puts the band and all of the songs in great context. This album is a great time capsule of one of the most influential bands of the 60s. Highly recommeded!

THE ROAR OF JEFFERSON AIRPLANE, despite all the corporate ballyhoo and hornblowing about RCA's 100th Anniversary collection, is no reason to stand up and shout. Besides, the FASTEN SEATBELTS sign is on. Clear the aisles, please.

With 23 minutes to spare, JA classics like "Wooden Ships," "White Rabbit," "Lather" and more could and should have been part of this compilation. We suggest you take a different flight, cuz this Airplane's only operating on three engines. (Includes a decent 8-page booklet.)

TOTAL RUNNING TIME -- 54:35

Jefferson Airplane has way too many greatest hits cds out there, but this one is unusual because it veers away from the standard hits and offers a sampling of less heard vintage tunes. RCA had to stick a few of the biggest hits on here, but most of it will be obscure to those who only know the radio staples. Worth a listen if you are a big fan of kind of dated psychedelia.

Forget about the "treacly" Starship. The power struggles and uneven music wasn't worth the evolution. Jefferson Airplane before their resurrection, however WAS a fine ensemble. This is a compilation disc of a range of album tracks roughly spanning the years of 1967 thru 1973. By that time the Airplane pretty much ran out of fuel and crashed. But the flight that they took as demonstrated in this collection showed the raw musical and vocal talent that they captured in the studio and make this a high-flying trip for all you hipsters who want to spend the few bucks airfare for this supersonic journey. I feel it is worth climbing aboard, just fasten your seatbelt and no smoking until the light goes out!