MONO JEFFERSON AIRPLANE Baxters + INSERT Hard Psych

$

382

1968 first press SAN FRANCISCO PSYCHEDELIA                       

                          Super Rare in Mono !                                                                   

           JEFFERSON AIRPLANE

          After Bathing At Baxters

\                        USA - Dog label RCA Victor - LOP 1501 - MONAURAL

SUPER RARE MONO ORIGINAL ... 1968 VINYL first pressing in thick gatefold cover

By the end of 1967 record companies had all but stopped the production of monaural records, so the fact of a 1968 mono release was not very improbable, and if so, certainly very limited...

The rare mono release offers different song mixes from the stereo issue and also contains a big bold punch in the sound production...

Includes the double sided 'tweeker' Airplane drug art inner sleeve (loaded with crazy Airplane members drawings in pen)

The Jefferson Airplane’s second release, Surrealistic Pillow was a huge commercial success and catapulted the group to superstar status. So what do you do for an encore? The answer is you take a creative chance and move in a different direction. The folk/rock leanings were left behind, as the group put the guitars out front and embraced a harder edged psychedelic sound. Rumor has it much of the album was recorded with the band tripping on acid...by the looks of the inner sleeve artwork, it must be closer to the truth....

After Bathing At Baxter’s is immediately noticeable for the fact that Marty Balin, who wrote the majority of the songs on the group’s first two releases is only credited with being the co-author of one track. Paul Kantner with six tracks, and Grace Slick with two, would move to the forefront in determining the Airplane’s musical vision and destiny.

The creative approach was unique as the album was divided into five suites of two and three songs each. The music was deeply textured, and lead guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and bassist Jack Casady would step forward and become recognized as one of the best combinations of the 1960’s.

“The Ballad Of You & Me & Pooneil” was unlike most everything that was being produced in the late sixties. I’m not even sure what the song was about, but that seemed fine at the time. Paul Kantner had a vision that only he and possibly the other members of the group could see. I was amazed that they released this track as a single. That Kantner could write this song and the beautiful “Martha” on one album is remarkable. Wonderful poetry is enhanced by the voices of the group. Grace Slick’s vocal, in a back-up role, is one of the best of her career.

Grace Slick would write two tracks for which she provided the lead vocals. “Two Heads” finds her cracking up her powerful vocal instrument but it is “rejoice” (with a smalle r in the title), that is one of the best creations of her career. Based on James Joyce’s Ulysses, it would feature some fuzz bass guitar by Casady. Just play this track and “White Rabbit” from Surrealistic Pillow back to back and you have a working definition of psychedelic music.

Marty Balin’s “Young Girl Sunday Blues” is the only close to normal song on the album. His superb tenor voice carries the song along and would increasingly make one wish that he would have been more active in the studio.

The group attacks to the very end. “Won’t You Try/Saturday Afternoon” combines an early use of guitar feedback and harmonies by the group. Slick, Balin, and Kantner have always been underrated in their ability to weave their voices together into an intricate sound.

After Bathing At Baxter’s is a unique album as it will take you on a trip of the ear and mind. No matter what state of mind you may be in or out of; it still remains an interesting listen over four decades later, that is 40 years mind you !

   Side one

• Streetmasse - 9:41

  • "The Ballad of You & Me & Pooneil" (Paul Kantner) – 4:29
  • "A Small Package of Value Will Come to You, Shortly" (Spencer Dryden) – 1:39
  • "Young Girl Sunday Blues" (Marty Balin, Kantner) – 3:33
• The War Is Over - 6:34
  • "Martha" (Kantner) – 3:26
  • "Wild Tyme (H)" (Kantner) – 3:08
• Hymn to an Older Generation - 6:41
  • "The Last Wall of the Castle" (Jorma Kaukonen) – 2:40
  • "Rejoyce" (Grace Slick) – 4:01
•  

• Side two

• How Suite It Is - 12:23
  • "Watch Her Ride" (Kantner) – 3:11
  • "Spare Chaynge" (Jack Casady, Dryden, Kaukonen) – 9:12
• Schizoforest Love Suite - 8:19
  • "Two Heads" (Slick) – 3:10
  • "Won't You Try" (Kantner)/"Saturday Afternoon" (Kantner) – 5:09

CONDITION: The thick gatefold cover is solid "EX" (excellent) a little slight bit of shelf wear at top area of back cover...careful use over the 40 years, everything is solid and highly collectible....

The vinyl is all glossy "VG++ to "EX"  at worse little soft scuff lines (inner sleeve paper-like scuffs) you can't feel are faint, not audible -- playing easily in minty range.

The custom stoned Airplane inner sleeve drawings is MINT 

       A cool addition to anyone's music library!

SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record