Crown of Creation [Extra tracks] [Original recording remastered]

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Originally released in 1968, this RCA/BMG Heritage remastered reissue adds 4 bonus tracks 'Ribump Ba Bap Dum Dum', 'Would You like A Snack', 'Share A Little Joke' (single version-mono) & 'The Saga Of Sydney Spacepig' (previously unreleased). Includes 12-page booklet with extensive liner notes, detailed track listing & rare photos. 2003.

Tracks:

Lather
In Time
Triad
Star Track
Share A Little Joke
Chushingura
If You Feel
Crown Of Creation
Ice Cream Phoenix
Greasy Heart
The House At Pooneil Corners
Bonus Tracks: Ribump Ba Bap Dum Dum
Bonus Tracks: Would You Like A Snack
Bonus Tracks: Share A Little Joke (Mono Single Version)
Bonus Tracks: The Saga Of Sydney Spacepig (Previously Unreleased)

Album Description

Originally released in 1968, this RCA/BMG Heritage remastered reissue adds 4 bonus tracks 'Ribump Ba Bap Dum Dum', 'Would You like A Snack', 'Share A Little Joke' (single version-mono) & 'The Saga Of Sydney Spacepig' (previously unreleased). Includes 12-page booklet with extensive liner notes, detailed track listing & rare photos. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

Another turning point.......2007-05-29

Another of the albums that became a turning point in my life. The other reviews state everything about the album I could say. Let me just second the reviewer Pearl Drummer and say that Jack Casady is absolutely the BEST BASSIST ever, before or since (and completely underrated). His playing on the title track is so dense and complex that I never tire of hearing it. I wish I knew enough about engineering to separate it out so I could listen to it alone.

My favourite Airplane album.......2007-04-19

After the more experimental and overtly psychedelic After Bathing at Baxter's Crown of Creation marks a return to the shorter songs and more "commercial" (remember, everything is relative) sound of Surrealistic Pillow. It is my favourite Airplane record.

This LP is a perfect mix of eccentric slower-paced songs (Lather, Triad), plaintive Marty Balin (In Time, Shared a Little Joke), inspired Kaukonen (Star Track) and classic Airplane (Crown of Creation, Pooneil Corners). The only throwaway is the irritating Chushingura. And it is only1:16 in length. The remixed sound is a revelation. The newfound clarity and crispness really does enable us to fully appreciate the individual musical talents of the band. The bonus tracks on this re-release are eminently forgettable. No, they are more than that - they are positively annoying! However, on the basis of the songs from the original LP this is a five star effort.

I Don't Really See-Why Can't We Go On As Free?.......2007-01-15

Yes. I saw the review that Guido wrote and, needless to say, I was metamortified! Let me say people, it is very difficult having a guide that is a party animal. When we did talk, he admitted that he was very drunk at the time and that since my reviews had achieved a certain fame, he felt very left out. He apologized (which was feigned), promised never to do it again (an excuse designed to make me leave), and offered vast amounts of help in the future (never once moving from his comfortable barstool). I suggested counseling for him. He was not happy with that. But since I could do no more, I just let things be. Eventually I learned from my other guides that he blames me totally for ALL of his problems! We are talking about a serious case of denial here people! However, I have decided to let his review stand and be a testimony to my good heart and fair-minded forgiveness. The faithful will certainly appreciate and be awed by my irreverent behavior and follow all my reviews forthwith. Yes. And I have learned to lock my laptop when I'm away!
But, let's get to this fine psychedelic classic that beloved Airplane offered many Seer moons ago.
Well- it certainly seems like the Airplane wanted to make a huge IMPACT on us with this album. Why else put them in the atom bomb? (By and by-one of Metamorpho's favorite covers of all time!). But it seems that-with "Crown of Creation" they reeled in more control after the uncontrollable "Baxters". However, they moved the creativity forward and, in this, achieved a great mix of songs. And what is so moving in that is the fact that each composition is a totally unique entity. Never one sounding the same as another-they achieved artistic integrity. And that is due to the immense talent of all the individuals.
We begin with "Lather"- Grace Slick's ode to getting older. Not a rocker-it moves on insistently with a lullaby. How appropriate! But what totally makes this song are the "extras". The little effects they throw in to make the song so rich. The typewriter in the background; the cannon shot from a tank; the seagulls circling on a beach, the sound of Lather's hand; Jorma's "child crying", and Hari Kari as a game to play. This song is so classic and satisfying that they needn't have done more. But they did.
"In Time" is a psychedelic sexual fantasy. And Kantner does a good job on this. But here, and elsewhere, begins Grace's extended background vocal "glue" that binds the whole thing together. She is most noted for the Marty and Grace yin and yang, push and pull, of vocals. And, herein, lies alot of the reason that their sound was most alluring.
Ah. Then they do David Crosby's amazing "Triad". Grace's "come to me" vocals are exactly right for the message. Crosby, more or less, got kicked out of The Byrds for this. In Airplane's hands, they "fly" with it. Rebels will try "something new-if you're crazy too". And they do it so well.
Jorma's writing shines on "Star Track". And his lead is amazing. Ultimately, it is about not taking the world so seriously. "Push the world on by with your hand", or else you'll be like a rat in a cage-running to please the "establishment" and ruining yourself in the process. We then get to Marty's excellent "Share a Little Joke". This is a favorite of Metamorpho's. It is the exhubance of moving towards happiness. "The world around you, never catches up with you". But the joke is one from within. Pay close attention to Marty's vocals, especially the rise to the break-then the lead-and the drum beat back to the vocals again. Intense and wonderful, it provides the exclamation point to the song. (!!!!!!!!)
After Spencer's psychedelic aural auditory assault of "Chushingura" we then settle back to the tunes. And, just as a note here. In many groups of the time, I think it unusual that the drummer would have been given his own time to create. But, with the Airplane, they were willing to try it and with sometimes, amazing effect. That's creativity folks!
"If You Feel" is a Marty excursion of sorts. Again, it is about the freedom to do as you feel. Whatever brings you joy. But to overanalyze it is a mistake. The words don't have to make sense if the feeling is what you're after-and this holds true for this song.
"Crown of Creation" is the cornerstone and namesake of this album, and in it,makes a clear cut line into the generation gap. It is not one of my favorites-but one of Airplane's essential tunes for their legacy. But, interestingly enough, we become exposed to their concept of "change" in this song and how it "changes" with outlook and perspective. (I will get into this with Grace's "Greasy Heart). But, for now, it relates that if their is no change-within yourself-you will become a "fossil of our time". Meaning the older generation. Life is change. How very true.
"Ice Cream Phoenix" seems like a drug trip and one designed around many questions. But the major one is that if the world is apocalyptic-how we still go on-love-and leave-and not feel sad about it. An ode-again- of moving towards happiness.
Ah. We then get to Slick's tease of "Greasy Heart". A jaunty tune for sure. Nitty and gritty and real life- Grace's lyrics here are out in left field. Mechanical but moving. But now the "don't ever change people" comes into play. Interestingly enough-she says change in "Crown of Creation" but "don't change" here. But, in a strange way-it does make sense. Compared to an older generation one must change-or rather-not to follow in the same footsteps. But here she is saying that once you decide to change, do not decide to change-especially for the ones who are important to you. It is confusing-but perhaps- that when you do change decide not to change back. Now that I've confused you (and myself) in the process, I'll just move along.
In "House at Pooneil Corners" we have the apocalpse Airplane style. Listen to the music. It's disjointed-downright disturbing-set in a meter to grate on you. But, it is totally consistent with the theme. Again, an Airplane genius that shines through.
The extra tracks are interesting. And some from other releases and out-takes. But, the main body of work stands on the sheer, intriguing talent of this band.
In closing- I would be remiss if I didn't mention the incredible contribution of Jack Cassidy. Innovative and fresh bass lines that, when you listen, are all over the fret board. At first you may think his bass riffs make no sense- but they all do! Again- he uses the bass as part AND apart from what is going on elsewhere. And this, people, is years before Chris Squire from Yes. Jack Cassidy created it. Chris Squire ran with it. But that is the chain of influences so prevailent in music. Always happens-always will.
In closing- I did this review because: A) I love the music and B) I wanted to show Guido that there is still a spark of life in this old Seer. Now that it's all over- I may saunter over to The Fishnet to share a beer with that wayward guide. Don't worry-I'll leave early. Metamorpho needs his sleep in order to proffer his well-heralded reflections!
To all- A good night and a great life. Keep moving on!
Your own-----Metamorpho

Doesn't Hold Up In the 2000's.......2006-07-15

I start out by saying I was a huge Jefferson Airplane fan and saw them live twice. One of the better Bay Area's bands, and one of the best live shows ever.

Regretably, this album does not hold up well to modern standards. "Lather" is a wierd drug induced anti-war child becomes man theme without a melody or discernable beat. "Triad" is a nice song, better sampled by the Byrds in one of their outtake CD's currently available.

"If You Feel" is a nice Marty Balin song, which is throwback to the 1st two Jefferson Airplane albums, and a precursor to his excellent singing and songwriting career.

"Greasy Heart" is an excellent example of Grace Slick and Paul Kanter singing duets.

Other than these two tracks, which are five star songs, the album simply doesn't translate well into this milenium.

Thank God for Digital Re-Mastering.......2006-01-23

I was lucky enough to see the Jefferson Airplane at the Filmore East several times (I'm 56) during their heyday. Since I'm an accomplished drummer, I was eager to see/listen to what I thought was one of the best rhythm sections I had ever listened to in populer music. I was never let down. For, even to this day, Jack Casady remains one of the finest electric bass players that ever lived. Period. Just listen to his bass lines on "After Bathing at Baxter's" many inspired tracks. He was doing things with feedback, harmonics and counterpoint that were way ahead of the time. Why do you think Jimi Hendrix wanted him as his bassist? Now listen to "Crown of Creation". Jack's bass lines in "Lather" are magnificent! His tone is so subtle. For me, the absolute essence of the electric bass sound (and remember, this is BEFORE Jaco) is his playing on "Triad". His execution and fingering are perfect. His timing is sooooo in the pocket, and his overall "sound" is distinctive and unusual. But, always clean. Jack Casady spoiled me because as a drummer, I always wanted to gig with bass players that were that fluid and tonal. So, buy this CD and listen to some of the best rock music (60's or otherwise) that you'll ever hear.

Average customer rating:

Crown of Creation
Jefferson Airplane
Manufacturer: Bmg Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0009S8EWY
Release Date: 2005-08-23

Tracks:

Lather
In Time
Triad
Star Track
Share a Little Joke
Chushingura
If You Feel
Crown of Creation
Ice Cream Phoenix
Greasy Heart
House at Pooneil Corners

Album Description

Japanese pressing. Reissue of the 1968 original release will include the bonus tracks 'Ribumo Ba Bap Dum Dum', 'Would You Like A Snack', 'Share A Little Joke' (mono single version) and 'Saga Of Sydney Spacepig'. This limited edition comes packaged in a paper sleeve. RCA. 2005.

Album Details

Japanese Limited Edition Issue in a Deluxe LP Sleeve Replica of the Original Album Artwork.

Average customer rating:

more about bonus tracks
bonus tracks

Crown of Creation
Jefferson Airplane
Manufacturer: Bmg Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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After Bathing at Baxter's

ASIN: B00005B74U
Release Date: 2001-04-12

Tracks:

Lather
In Time
Triad
Star Track
Share a Little Joke
Chushingura
If You Feel
Crown of Creation
Ice Cream Phoenix
Greasy Heart
House at Pooneil Corners

Album Details

2001 Digitally Remastered Edition of their Classic 1968 Album Now Witth Two Bonus Tracks: 'ribump Ba Bap Dum Dum' and 'would You Like a Snack'.

Customer Reviews:

more about bonus tracks.......2002-06-07

This album finds the Airplane at the peak of their career. Along with "Baxters", "Pointed Head", and "Volunteers", this is among their finest albums (my favorite is "Baxters"). I like the psychedelic and sometimes angry, sometimes playful revolutionary spirit on these albums more than the earlier, more pop-chart/love-song oriented classic "Surrealistic Pillow"... although there are also a few ballads on "Crown of Creation".

For Airplane fans, the bonus tracks are interesting and amusing to hear, but as another reviewer suggests, they aren't songs so much as ramblings. "Snack" is an ad-hoc collaboration between Grace Slick and Frank Zappa(!)...tape running while they were goofing around, nothing they planned, I'm sure. I think she was probably hungry at the time. "Ribump" is more percussive, but still basically a goofing around thing.

Both "Snack" and "Ribump" are also available on the box set "Jefferson Airplane Loves You". Neither piece would inspire you to check out the band if you never heard them, but it's fun to hear something different from the band in their prime anyway.

bonus tracks.......2002-01-15

if you already have this album without the bonus tracks, i wouldn't bother to buy it again, for the bonus tracks. the two extra tracks aren't songs, just, well, jefferson airplane random ramblings...

Average customer rating:

Essential 60's Recording
El vuelo continúa a menor altura
A classic of its time
The Crown Jewels
Continues the work of 'Baxters', further raising the bar

Crown of Creation
Jefferson Airplane
Manufacturer: Mobile Fidelity
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Surrealistic Pillow
After Bathing at Baxter's
Volunteers
Bless Its Pointed Little Head
After Bathing at Baxter's

ASIN: B000000IRE
Release Date: 1989-08-14

Tracks:

Lather
In Time
Triad
Star Track
Share a Little Joke
Chushingura
If You Feel
Crown of Creation
Ice Cream Phoenix
Greasy Heart
House at Pooneil Corners

Album Details

Japanese 20bit remaster.

Customer Reviews:

Essential 60's Recording.......2005-08-31

This is one of the essential recordings of the 60's. Jefferson Airplane reached a peak with this album, and never was as good again. Any genius that the Airplane had is contained herein.It contains perhaps the greatest collection of songs most people have never heard. Great writing, incredible guitar licks, and inspired singing and drumming characterize this album.

El vuelo continúa a menor altura.......2004-05-16

Pasada ya su fase de máxima experimentación con After Bathing, los Airplane retoman un enfoque más convencional en Crown of Creation, logrando un sólido álbum que mezcla elementos anteriores de folk y rock con sonoridades pesadas, sin dejar a un lado los siempre bienvenidos toques lisérgicos.

El álbum arranca con 3 números con tendencia folk, donde In Time es lo mejor. De allí en adelante lo que predomina es la canción rock de 3 minutos, con ese inconfundible estilo en las guitarras y siempre respaldadas por el profundo bajo de Jack Cassidy. Una especie de vuelta hacia los días de Surrealistic Pillow, aunque el sonido es más denso y completo. Aquí vale la pena mencionar If You Feel y Greasy Heart.

Cerrando y con 6 minutos, House At Pooneil Corner muestra al grupo en su lado más sicodélico, con una insistente presencia de guitarras y órgano, un perturbador final como para demostrar que el grupo puede seguir transgrediendo fronteras, y de paso es el fondo sonoro perfecto para esa fantástica portada.

A classic of its time.......2004-02-20

The apocalyptic vision on the album's cover is not accidental. "Crown of Creation," released in 1968, when apocalyptic visions were not uncommon, creates a musical world of angst, fear, anger and rebellion, and does so quite effectively.

This was, in my opinion, the Airplane's best album, sandwiched as it was between two other very good ones, the often overlooked "After Bathing at Baxter's" and "Volunteers." As had been true since "Surrealistic Pillow," the record is largely Grace Slick's and Paul Kantner's, not Marty Balin's, although the latter contributes one fine song, "Share a Little Joke," and the instrumentally satisfying "If You Feel." But the strength of the album is in the dark colors woven by Slick and Kantner.

Slick's "Lather" a mocking but strangely tender ode to those who refuse to grow up, and "Greasy Heart," a harsh attack on a valueless society, rank among the best songs the band produced. Kantner's "Another Country" lyrically paints a world different than the one he evidently regrets living in. One must also mention Jorma Kaukonen's angst-ridden "Star Track," with the memorably chilling line "You'll wander 'round from place to place/disappear without a trace/and someone else will take your place in line." Don't listen to that one on your way to work on Monday morning. On the other hand, its definitive wah-wah solo never loses its charm.

The album reaches a fitting conclusion with "The House on Pooneil Corners," a sequel to "Baxter's" "Ballad of You and Me Pooneil." Few songs capture the now nearly forgotten existential anxiety of the late sixties like this one, a portrait of a world ready to dissolve into fire and death. Balin's pleading vocal captures this: "From here to heaven/Is a scar/Dead center, deep as death..." and then Slick's cry, "All the idiots have left."

Some will find all of this hopelessly dated, but even if one finds the ideas to be thus, the music, for me at least, remains vibrant, the vocals stirring, and the imaginative effort compelling. Highly recommended.

The Crown Jewels.......2002-12-11

Crown of Creation represents the high water mark of San Fransisco's Jefferson Airplane.More elegant, complex and cohesive than "After Bathing at Baxters" (although that is indeed a fine album)and simply having better songs and purpose than "Volunteers" this disc is a must have.
The thing that really seperated the Airplane from the rest was the fact that everyone in the band was exceptional at what they did ( and I have still yet to hear a better, more original and more important bass player than Jack Casady) and all were at the top of their game at the same time, and this disc was recorded just before it all began to fall apart.

Regal and majestic, instruments and voices present us with one of the most powerful documents of an era.A group of young people fired and inspired by the times they were living in producing an anthem for those times and ours.A time capsule of joy and wonder poisoned by the reality of the war in Vietnam and the war at home.

Continues the work of 'Baxters', further raising the bar.......2002-07-03

The Airplane's fourth album literally picked up where #3 ('After Bathing at Baxters') left off. 'Baxters' was brilliant with its suite-like format, and almost exclusively electric, whereas their earlier work (especially 'Surrealistic Pillow') had been a bountiful mix of electric and acoustic songs. 'Crown of Creation' re-visits the mixture of electric/acoustic elements, but with a thicker reverberant sound such that the helpings of acoustic guitar are presented as a highly charged urban electro-apocalyptic sound space. All the songs are stunningly original.

Those vestiges of folk rock that had been expunged from the sound of 'Baxters' again flicker in 'Crown', but this is still their new sound. JA changed engineers after 'Pillow'; the new guy (who lasted at least through the 5th album, 'Volunteers') was seriously enamored of a higher horsepower feel, which here (whether the group is playing hard or acoustic rock) never lets up. From the vantage of his control room ('conning tower'), he sonically crafted the Airplane into a different sort of band, quite likely at their behest.

Here JA continued to make a strong case for being the greatest of the 'revolutionary' bands [the MC5, and CJ & the Fish notwithstanding]. They plumbed a wider gamut of emotion, invoking a deeper sense of tragedy, also rejoicing in the [somewhat tarnished?] beauty of it all, than probably any similar band, other than [possibly] the United States of America. [The USofA album, amazing as it is, was but a one-off'er.]

The youthful exuberance and idealism of 'Pillow' and 'Baxters' is still present here in transfigured form. With 'Crown', the Airplane gain greater mastery [to paraphrase Blake*] of the craft of metaphorically using corrosives to cleanse the doors and windows of perception, thereby revealing and reveling in a world beyond our customary boundaries [and not just those prevalent around 1969]. "Don't change before the Empire falls . . . you'll laugh so hard you'll crack the walls!" ["Greasy Heart"]

*[E.g. see "Auguries of Innocence" and "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell", in 'William Blake: Complete Writings', edited by Geoffrey Keynes.]

"Lather" Satire that is both biting and tearful. The lead guitarist approaches genius in his ability to mirror the mournfulness of the moment via his instrument's tone settings and his expressive playing. Slick's vocal manages to convey the private sort of horror of the events taking place.

"In Time" Not necessarily a drug song . . . it could be meditation, lovemaking, the beginnings of a waking dream . . . this one progresses slowly, passionately, beautifully. "Look further on past the surface . . . orange, blue, red & green are the colors of what I feel, and my mind you know it starts to reel in time."

"Triad" A Byrds' song which never made it onto their albums, with wondrous, slow acoustic guitar accompaniment; singer Grace really shows us the love.

"Star Track": "If your head spins 'round, try to see the ground if you can". 'Nuff said.

"Share A Little Joke" Exceedingly mournful song [sung by Balin]. Recollection of loss of innocence begins its recovery.

"Chushingura" Short, marvelous space-rock instrumental, rivaling the Stones' "2000 Light Years from Home".

"If You Feel" Great up-tempo [acid-dance] tune. Things turn optimistic on this one, though destructive at the same time [as in the idea that one thing must be destroyed, that the 'new' might emerge]. This song is a strange and stunning psychological mix, as lead singer Marty Balin simultaneously conveys mournfulness with a sense of overarching joy. Revel in this one if you will, as things really let loose from the get-go.

"Crown Of Creation" Begins the Airplane's own miniaturized 'Book of Revelation': a brilliant song drenched to the bone with their own brand of counter-cultural, apocalyptic imagery.

"Ice Cream Phoenix" More hints of an impending apocalypse [personal or universal?].This one is a little ponderous melodically, the lyrics are a bit prosaic in spots; but the messages they lay on us glow with a seeming immense importance.

"Greasy Heart" Grace gets funky and very satirical! "Woman with a greasy heart . . . automatic man!"

"The House At Pooneil Corners" Pithy, probing psychological tour de force. Steps up the tone of "Crown of Creation" in terms of the massiveness of its message, but here it's turning more personally hopeful at junctures. As tremendous an ending as was "Lather" a great beginning.

Average customer rating:

Essential 60's Recording

El vuelo continúa a menor altura

A classic of its time

The Crown Jewels

Continues the work of 'Baxters', further raising the bar

Crown of Creation
Jefferson Airplane
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Styles | Music
Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
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Surrealistic Pillow

After Bathing at Baxter's

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ASIN: B000002X4S
Release Date: 1998-01-27

Tracks:

Lather
In Time
Triad
Star Trek
Share A Little Joke
Chushingura
If You Feel
Crown Of Creation
Ice Cream Phoenix
Greasy Heart
The House At Pooneil Corners