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"...Through An Open Window Where No Curtain Hung..."
Given the sheer fame of the band - it’s kind of surprising to find how
few Audiophile CDs are out there are for one of the Sixties most influential
bands – JEFFERSON AIRPLANE? But here’s a peach to whet your sonic appetite -
albeit one that seems to have slipped under the net too.
The “Collector’s Edition 24 Karat Gold Disc” of “Surrealistic Pillow”
was put out by RCA in the USA in July 1995 on RCA 07863 66598-2 (Barcode
078636659824) featuring both the STEREO and MONO mix of the album for the first
time (22 tracks) – remastered from the original tapes. It was reissued in 2001
on a standard CD without the gold/titled card slipcase and breaks down as
follows (69:35 minutes):
1. She Has Funny Cars [Side 1]
2. Somebody To Love
3. My Best Friend
4. Today
5. Comin’ Back To Me
6. 3/5 Of A Mile In 10 Seconds [Side 2]
7. D.C.B.A. – 25
8. How Do You Feel
9. Embryonic Journey
10. White Rabbit
11. Plastic Fantastic Lover
Tracks 1 to 11 are the STEREO mix of “Surrealistic Pillow” - their 2nd
album released February 1967 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-3584 and September
1967 in the UK on RCA RD 7889 (Mono) and SF 7889 (Stereo)
Tracks 12 to 22 are the MONO mixes of the American album on RCA Victor
LPM-3584
JEFFERSON AIRPLANE was:
GRACE SLICK – Lead Vocals, Piano, Organ and Recorder
GRACE SLICK – Lead Vocals, Piano, Organ and Recorder
JORMA KAUKONEN – Lead and Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
MARTY BALIN – Guitar and Vocals
PAUL KANTNER – Guitar and Vocals
JACK CASADY – Rhythm Guitars and Bass
SPENCER DRYDEN – Percussion
Guests: GERRY GARCIA
The jewel case comes in an outer card wrap with gold borders and a
die-cut rear sleeve to see the gold coloured disc within. The inlay is a disappointing
gatefold slip of paper with just about enough track details to make it
acceptable – typical of a major label.
But the sound quality is great. BILL LACEY did the audio restoration;
EDDIE TALLIA handled the Stereo transfer while MIKE HARTRY did the mono mixes.
The very quiet acoustic guitars and flute of “Comin’ Back To Me” is a good
example (lyrics above) – lovely sound – even if it is a little hissy in places
(the nature of the recordings). The punch of the MONO mix of “3/5 Of A Mile In
10 Seconds” is fantastic while that drum beginning in the STEREO version of
“She Has Funny Cars” hits your speakers with a vengeance. The rhythm section
mixing with those acoustic guitars and combo vocals on “My Best Friend” sound
wonderful too (very Mama’s & Papa’s almost). And Slick sounds suitably
aggressive on the classic “Somebody To Love” – those distant guitars now with
more definition.
The 1995 ‘gold’ original of this audiophile CD is now long deleted and
has in some cases gained a hefty price tag amongst audio buffs and fans alike.
But if you can get a copy for a reasonable price - then set your credit-card
propellers for ‘worth those few extra quid’. Impressive stuff indeed…
