Poll

What Is The Best Jefferson Starship Album of All Time?

Dragon Fly (1974)
0 (0%)
Red Octopus (1975)
0 (0%)
Spitfire (1976)
0 (0%)
Earth (1978)
0 (0%)
Freedom at Point Zero (1979)
0 (0%)
Modern Times (1981)
2 (100%)
Winds of Change (1982)
0 (0%)
Nuclear Furniture (1984)
0 (0%)
Knee Deep in the Hoopla (As Starship - 1985)
0 (0%)
No Protection (As Starship - 1987)
0 (0%)
Love Among the Cannibals (As Starship - 1989)
0 (0%)
Windows of Heaven (1998)
0 (0%)
Jefferson's Tree of Liberty (2008)
0 (0%)

Total Members Voted: 2

Author Topic: Jefferson Starship - Discography  (Read 1460 times)

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Chiprocks1

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Jefferson Starship - Discography
« on: July 09, 2012, 07:56:05 am »
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Chiprocks1

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Re: Jefferson Starship - Discography
« Reply #1 on: July 09, 2012, 07:56:48 am »
What is the Best Jefferson Starship Album of All Time?

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Mac

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Re: Jefferson Starship - Discography
« Reply #2 on: July 09, 2012, 09:46:08 am »
Modern Times by just a hair over Winds of Change. Probably because of Save Your Love
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Chiprocks1

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Re: Jefferson Starship - Discography
« Reply #3 on: July 09, 2012, 10:47:25 am »
Jefferson Starship (Modern Times) 1981





First off, this is hands down the best cover they ever created and not only that, it's one of the greatest covers ever. Period. Just....awesome! Okay, now about the album itself. How does Modern Times hold up so many years later?

It's no shock that the reason why I got the album in the first place was for the MONSTER hit Find Your Way Back. Not only is this THE best song of any incarnation of the band, the song itself is still a MAJOR favorite of mine that I still play on a regular basis. When I want a song that's gonna get me in a happy sing-along-mood, this is the one I go to on a pretty consistent basis. So, is this all that Modern Times has to offer? Nope, you just have to head to track 2 and get slammed in the face with Stranger. It's a great track that sees just as much play time as  Find Your Way Back. The thing that I really love about Stranger is the way the Drums are mixed in the track along with the Bass. The song is truly an original, there isn't any other song like it.

This album was also my introduction to Craig Chaquico and his solo work on pretty much every song is a knockout, especially on the aforementioned songs. He has a very distinct sound and style of playing that is immediately recognizable. Overall, the tone and feel of the album is pretty consistent and is a true rock album from a bygone era. Most people don't realize that Grace Slick came back to the band after a good chunk of the album was written and recorded. She only has lead vocals on Stranger and Alien. This one is definitely a Mickey Thomas fronted band. Unfortunately, this also signaled the turn for the band in a few years where they just became something else all together and not in a good way either.

I'm usually not a fan of Ron Nevison. As a matter of fact, I hate pretty much anything that he has done in the late 80's and onward, especially his turn at the mixing console for KISS' Crazy Nights and Ozzy Osbourne's The Ultimate Sin albums. But on Modern Times, he still had that old school feel that made this one sound great.

Fave Songs: All of em. But I gotta point out Find Your Way Back, Stranger, Modern Times and Free as my Top picks.

Modern Times Music Videos



« Last Edit: July 09, 2012, 01:29:49 pm by Chiprocks1 »
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Mac

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Re: Jefferson Starship - Discography
« Reply #4 on: July 09, 2012, 12:58:44 pm »
Good review. I've always wondered how well Grace Slick played with others. While she is known for some great songs, the band was really a dual lead vocal in most respects. I love her voice. One of the best evah.

And Craig Chaquico, one of the most overlooked guitarist ever.

That album cover is killer isn't it. I remember the original had some depth to it. You could feel the ridges around the women.
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Chiprocks1

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Re: Jefferson Starship - Discography
« Reply #5 on: July 09, 2012, 01:20:36 pm »
Jefferson Starship (Winds Of Change) 1982





As much as I love Modern Times, I've listened to this even more. It's not to say that Wind Of Change is better than Modern Times, I just seem to play this more for whatever reason. Yes, this is a little bit more in the AOR mold for half the album, but who cares? Everyone was either already there are heading there. Me love this album long time.

I think the album kicks off with the best possible song they could with the Self-Title song. Great arrangement for sure. Fantastic vocals too. But Craig Chaquico OWNED the track with his blistering leads. But this isn't the only song he excells on. There are a ton of great songs on here, especially Out of Control, Can't Find Love and Black Widow. This album really gelled in a way that a lot of other albums by other artist failed. Mickey Thomas and Grace Slick sound great here and she is EPIC on Black Widow. Probably my fave track of hers on any album she's been on.

There are a couple of songs that do have a tendency to go overboard on them. Of course I'm talking about Be My Lady and I Will Stay. Yes, it's a little heavy on the piano and it being an outright ballad. Tt was definitely aiming for a certain demographic with those tunes. But for whatever strange reason, I think they are great songs. It's a different side to the band for sure, but they became huge hits, so obviously it made a connection with a lot of people besides myself.

Fave Songs: All of 'em. Top picks go to Winds Of Change, Keep On Dreamin', Be My Lady, I Will Stay, Out Of Control, Black Widow and Can't Find Love

Winds Of Change Music Videos





« Last Edit: July 09, 2012, 07:31:17 pm by Chiprocks1 »
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Chiprocks1

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Re: Jefferson Starship - Discography
« Reply #6 on: July 09, 2012, 01:29:02 pm »

That album cover is killer isn't it. I remember the original had some depth to it. You could feel the ridges around the women.

You're talking about the emboss fx right? This is one of the reasons why CD packaging SUCKS! They don't stuff like this anymore. Sure they can add holograms and things like that. But at the end of the day, it's still not an LP, something that you can actually hang on your wall. And this album definitely belongs on my wall.
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Chiprocks1

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Re: Jefferson Starship - Discography
« Reply #7 on: July 10, 2012, 08:36:58 am »
Jefferson Starship (Nuclear Furniture) 1984





The first 2 songs on Nuclear Furniture are by far the best. I can't remember which song it was that prompted me to get the album. I'm pretty sure it was No Way Out. Very infectious song that I still play even to this day. But of the 2 songs, I love and listen to Layin' It On The Line tons more. Great song. Nice follow up is Sorry Me, Sorry You. After that, this album does a complete nosedive into garbage. This is the first time I have listened to the album since maybe 1985. I didn't listen to this one much after I got it. Other than No Way Out and Layin' It On The Line, it didn't offer me much else. Live and Let Live is good, if not great.

So what about now? The album still sucks. Connection, Rose Goes To Yale and Magician are horrible, horrible songs. My God, who produced this album? Stylistically every songs that comes after the first two makes no sense whatsoever. They (everyone involved with the making of the album) must have been whacked out on drugs to think this was a good album. There is a story that I've known about for years regarding Nuclear Furniture and it involves Paul Kanter stealing the master-tapes and driving around for a few days, refusing to return them because he was horrified at the end results of this.

I am curious to know if I listen to this more, at least give it a serious workout, if my opinion of Nuclear Furniture would change. I doubt it. The videos for Layin' It On The Line and Sorry Me, Sorry You can't be found. Oh well.........

Fave Songs: Layin' It On The Line, No Way Out and Sorry Me, Sorry You

Nuclear Furniture Music Videos

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Mac

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Re: Jefferson Starship - Discography
« Reply #8 on: July 10, 2012, 09:24:10 am »
Agree with the whole context of the album. I wonder if it was produced by different people, or over an extended period of time to make such a detour into crapola?
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Chiprocks1

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Re: Jefferson Starship - Discography
« Reply #9 on: July 10, 2012, 09:29:33 am »
No idea. But just listen to the first song which was definitely geared as a potential radio hit, same for the second track. But then everything after that was just weird, tongue-in-cheek, experimental stuff that had no intention of being played on the radio. Strictly filler material to finish off the record as fast as possible.
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Re: Jefferson Starship - Discography
« Reply #10 on: July 10, 2012, 09:35:24 am »
Ah, this may part of the answer... from wiki

Quote
As the album was being recorded, Paul Kantner became frustrated with the album's direction. Before the sessions came to a close, he stole the master tapes, put them in his car and drove around San Francisco for a few days and wouldn't bring them back until the band mixed the album in a way more to his liking.[2] Shortly after release of the album, Paul left the band, and he only appears in the first promotional video produced, "No Way Out." After the departure of Kantner the band lost the "Jefferson" moniker and morphed into Starship; there would not be another studio album released under the Jefferson Starship name until after Kantner reformed the band in 1992.

and this is interesting too

Quote
Produced by Ron Nevison, the album was arranged with the help of Peter Wolf, who had worked with Grace Slick on her solo album, Software. Wolf also contributed keyboard and synthesizer work to the album, although not an official part of the band. Peter Wolf (not the singer of the same name) and Ina Wolf also wrote the single "No Way Out", the first of many songs penned by the husband and wife duo that took "Starship" in a more commercial direction.

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Chiprocks1

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Re: Jefferson Starship - Discography
« Reply #11 on: July 10, 2012, 09:53:52 am »
Ron Nevison.

That's all I need to know. I never bothered reading the linear notes. It all makes sense now.
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Chiprocks1

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Re: Jefferson Starship - Discography
« Reply #12 on: July 10, 2012, 03:33:58 pm »
Starship (Knee Deep In The Hoopla) 1985





This is where the name of the band officially transformed into Starship and created the most universally depised song in the history of music with We Built This City off of the album Knee Deep In The Hoopla. Why is is hated by a lot of people? Because it's one of the most blatant instance of corporate rock, meaning it was tailored specifically to radio using what was big as far as instrumentation and production at the time of its release as well as using 5 writers or song doctors if you will. I can listen to it maybe once or twice a year if it comes on the radio or the video pops up on TV purely for nostalgic reasons. Anymore than that and it's too much.

Actually a lot of the album was constructed this way. As I remember it, only one song was written by members of the band (Mickey Thomas and Craig Chaquico) on Private Room. It was very odd to see a host of muscian's in a band as big as Starship  was at the time just turning over the reigns to outside songwriters. So obviously the bands sound was drastically altered and set a course they would never come back from. It was still successful because they spawned huge hits with We Built This City and Sara. But if you're coming at this album with the intent of getting that old school rock, you will be sadly disappointed.

Okay, enough with the negative, time for some positives and that comes in the form of some rip roaring guitar work from Chaquico who did change his style to fit the mold of those guitar gods that were walking the streets during the day. I think he felt that he needed to compete with them and beccome a bit more flashy. I prefer the older, bluesy playing of his, but I did like this "new" playing he was bringing to his arsenal. Why wouldn't I? I was on the same train during this time and was dabbling in the same techniques myself. Just listen to the solo to Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight for a prime example of this.

Fave Songs: Sara and Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight. I guess I can throw We Built This City into the mix, but I won't listen to it again for another year.

Knee Deep In The Hoopla Music Videos







« Last Edit: July 10, 2012, 05:01:09 pm by Chiprocks1 »
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Michael Scott To Meredith: "You've slept with so many men, your starting to look like one. BOOM! Roasted! Go here.

Chiprocks1

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Re: Jefferson Starship - Discography
« Reply #13 on: July 10, 2012, 03:39:16 pm »
Modern Times by just a hair over Winds of Change.

Mac was right on target. But I have different reason for why I chose Modern Times over Wings Of Change.

I never bothered picking up their followup to Knee Deep when No Protection came out. Although I liked a couple of their songs: Nothing's Gonna Stop Us and It's Not Over. It wasn't enough for me to want to go out and get the album.
« Last Edit: July 10, 2012, 03:40:57 pm by Chiprocks1 »
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Mac

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Re: Jefferson Starship - Discography
« Reply #14 on: July 10, 2012, 05:12:22 pm »
Same here. Not enough to pick a whole album for.

Knee Deep also has a horrible cover, not to mention an embarrassing back cover. We all know not to judge by the cover, but dayum, it's not fun to look at.
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