Published on Sep 20, 2008
Life is good — founding member Paul Kantner remains in control of the Jefferson Starship. Longtime cohort David Freiberg is still around, as is guitarist Mark Aguilar. Cathy Richardson is now the lead female vocalist after starring in the off-Broadway production about Janis Joplin’s life.
Jefferson’s Tree Of Liberty finds the Starship traveling in a new and unique musical direction. Succinctly put, this is a folk album. Songs such as “Pastures Of Plenty” by Woody Guthrie, “Chimes Of Freedom” by Bob Dylan, and “I Ain’t Marching Anymore” by Phil Ochs are all presented in classic vocal form. Kantner and The Jefferson Starship can’t quite escape their rock ‘n’ roll roots as the instrumental background veers from the classic folk formula. Think the Weavers in rock mode.
The first track sets the tone for most of the album. The old Weavers tune, “Wasn’t That A Time,” features the voices of Kantner,
Jefferson’s Tree Of Liberty is a virtual journey through folk history. The traditional “Follow The Drinking Gourd” is a metaphorical song of the underground railroad and features more harmonies by Kantner,
There are some other pleasant surprises contained on
Jefferson’s Tree Of Liberty is not only an excellent album, it was also unexpected. Maybe that is the best part of Paul Kantner and the Jefferson Starship’s latest release. The twists and the turns take the listener on a wonderful journey through a history of American folk music, and it is a journey well worth taking.
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