nedjelja, 05.04.2009.
Jefferson Starship - Jefferson's Tree Of Liberty (2008)
The legendary Jefferson Starship is at it again. Moving forward by reaching back, and in doing so, daringly casting a light for a new generation of change-makers riveted by the group's first new studio album in a decade, Jeffersons' Tree Of Liberty. The 18 song CD finds the group harnessing rare gems from the great folk tradition that inspired the rock n' roll hall of fame band more than 4 decades ago. The brainchild of singer/songwriter/band co-founder Paul Kantner (and co-produced by band manager Michael Gaiman, recurring Jefferson Airplane/ Jefferson Starship fixture and Quicksilver Messenger Service founder David Freiberg and Paul Kantner), the album mixes it up with Jefferson's trademark knack for defying fans' expectations as well as their own, introducing a soaring new female voice on many of the songs, Cathy Richardson, and tapping rock icon and original Jefferson treasure Grace Slick to appear on the album's mesmerizing `Easter Egg' bonus track.
Tree of Liberty is everything you've ever loved about Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship - Paul Kantner's ringing 12 string Rickenbacker, the soaring harmonies, this collecton is a call to arms, to dream, to go to the edge and beyond. Jeffersonians past, present, future, are present and accounted for. It's an album of rebels and revolutionary anthems - across the times, across the oceans, across the continents - 19 soul rousing and blood pumping songs. Who would've thought the lustiest and loudest collection of songs would be made by (mostly) wooden instruments? Who would've thought the most passionate album to be released this year would come from Jefferson Starship? Lest you think this is a dreary collection of political polemic dirges, think again. This is an album to listen to with people, and sing along with. It kicks off with a rousing nod to " Volunteers" before it settles into the Weaver's classic " Wasn't That A Time." Cathy Richardson has the vocal chops and power of Grace Slick, but with a gritty undertone. David Laflamme's violin soars above the acoustic guitars and martial drums. Another Weavers classic, " Santy Anno," a lusty sea shanty, makes you feel the waves rolling with the banjo and squeezebox. David Frieberg takes a solo turn on Dino Valenti's poignant " Cowboy OnThe Run," with beautiful pedal steel guitar by Barry Sless and piano by Chris Smith. It's pure Nashville. It would take all day to hit all the highlights. But I would be remiss not giving a shout out to longtime Jefferson collaborators Darby Gould on Richard Thompson's " Genesis Hall," Diana Mangano's full throttle support on " The Royal Canal" - beloved to Pogues' fans as " The Auld Triangle." As befitting a guy born on St. Patrick's Day, Paul O'Kantner gruffly sings the prison lament of Irish Rebel Brendan Behan, with a dirty ole man " heh heh" during the part about the women's prison, followed with a storming " Rising Of The Moon" . The mash up of Bob Marley's " Redemption Song" with John Lennon's " Imagine" somehow works, heartfeltly delivered by Cathy Richardson. If there is one song to pick as a " single" - if things like that are still done - it's this one. Marty Balin contributes " Maybe For You" if anybody needed to reminded of his talent with a love song. I miss his sweet tenor. It's too bad he's not singing on the rest of the songs. Jack Casady makes an appearance on bass with his Armageddon-announcing rumble. Darby Gould's acapella version of Sandy Denny's " Quiet Joys of Brotherhood" sent shivers down my spine. Only one thing could top it, and that's Grace Slick singing " Surprise..." Some of Grace's best work was singing backup and harmony, as she is here. Too bad my CD says " Untitled" and there's no additional information as there are for the other songs. Surprise, indeed. This is one of the best releases of the year. If you love great songs, passionate singing and playing, need reminding that all evil needs to triumph is for good people to do nothing, then Tree of Liberty is for you. Lay your money down...Thor Jarc
Line-up
Paul Kantner vocals, 12-string acoustic guitar, banjo, glass harmonica, 'George Harrison' lead guitar, 12-string electric guitar
David Freiberg vocals, acoustic guitar, washboard guitar
Cathy Richardson vocals, harmonica, acoustic guitar
Chris Smith piano, bass, squeezbox, drone, pennywhistle, string synthesizer
Slick Aguilar tremolo & 'Soldano' electric guitar on "Genesis Hall", lead guitar on "Maybe for You"
Prairie Prince drums, snare, kick, bodhran
Donny Baldwin drums (supporting tour)
Darby Gould vocals on "Genesis Hall", "In a Crisis", and "The Quiet Joys of Brotherhood"
Diana Mangano vocals on "Royal Canal" and "Commandante Carlos Fonseca"
Marty Balin acoustic guitar on "Maybe for You", vocals on "Maybe for You"
Featuring
David Grisman mandolin on "Frenario" and "Pastures of Plenty"
Grace Slick background vocals, vocals on "Surprise" (uncredited)
Additional Personnel
Jack Casady bass on "Maybe for You"
T Lavitz keyboards on "Maybe for You"
Jack Traylor acoustic guitar on "Surprise", vocals on "Surprise" (uncredited)
David LaFlamme violin on "Wasn't That a Time"
Michael Gaiman flat-picked acoustic guitar on "Wasn't That a Time"
Michael Eisenstein acoustic guitar on "Wasn't That a Time"
Barry Sless pedal steel guitar on "Cowboy on the Run" and "In a Crisis"
Alexander Kantner electric bass guitar on "On the Threshold of Fire"
Paul Lamb french horn on "On the Threshold of Fire"
The Wailin' Cowgirls (Cathy Richardson, Linda Imperial) vocals on "Cowboy on the Run"
The I-Jays (Paul Kantner, David Freiberg, Darby Gould) vocals on "Imagine Redemption"
Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 153 MB
Genre : Folk- Rock
2000mustangs
Tracklist:
01 Wasn't That a Time 2:38
02 Follow the Drinking Gourd 3:04
03 Santy Anno 3:13
04 Cowboy on the Run 4:33
05 I Ain't Marchin' Anymore 3:12
06 Chimes of Freedom 3:53
07 Genesis Hall 3:13
08 Kisses Sweeter Than Wine 3:29
09 Royal Canal (The Auld Triangle) 3:17
10 Rising of the Moon 2:07
11 Frenario 4:06
12 In a Crisis 4:44
13 Maybe for You 2:51
14 Comandante Carlos Fonseca 3:24
15 Pastures of Plenty 3:22
16 Imagine Redemption 3:13
17 On the Threshold of Fire 4:49
18 The Quiet Joys of Brotherhood 2:58
19 [Untitled] 4:52
