Search - Jefferson Airplane :: Cleared For Take Off

Jefferson Airplane defined the San Francisco sound in the 1960s, scoring hit singles and looking out from the covers of national magazines. They epitomized the drug-taking hippie ethos as well as the left-wing, antiwar political movement of their time, and their history was one of controversy along with hit records.

Cleared for Take Off represents the Jefferson
Airplane as they were reaching their creative peak in 1967. Recorded at 3 concerts at the legendary Winterland in San Francisco in March 1967, the group performs songs contained on its essential first two albums, Jefferson Airplane Takes Off and Surrealistic Pillow, with a few rare selections. Cleared For Takeoff admirably illustrates why the Airplane were regarded as one of the best live acts at the vanguard of the movement, with the unmistakeable voice of the iconic Grace Slick intertwining with those of Marty Balin and Paul Kantner and the acid rock guitar of Jorma Kautonen in a typically energetic out-on-the-edge performance. The 18-track set includes versions of their first two big hits, an extended version of Somebody To Love, plus the classic White Rabbit. Don't Let Me Down, never featured on a studio release, is a nine-minute showcase for lead singer Marty Balin with some wild improvisation. Lead guitarist Jorma Kaukonen's Come Back Baby, is a song that wasn t released until Hot Tuna's second LP, First Pull Up, Then Pull Down, in 1971. Thing is an unreleased instrumental. This recording captures the unstructured and experimental nature of their events, and it's a fascinating snapshot of a band at the forefront of a new strand of creative expression, navigating occasionally uncharted musical territory during one of the most exciting eras in rock history.

Cleared for Take Off contains live and outtake
material from the band's most influential era,
including unreleased material and featuring the
classic 1966 line up. As such it is an essential historical release for any Jefferson Airplane fan as well as fans of the psychedelic rock era.

Please note: this recording is a snapshot of history, not a modern professional recording and may therefore exhibit some technical anomalies and the unavoidable effects of time.

Highly regarded UK label Acrobat Music is launching its US operations with this as well as other re-issues that offer high quality and excellent value on October 21st 2008. All of the Premier Collection titles are showcased in deluxe packages with unique, consistent packaging, which include o-cards, extensive liner notes and either a large number of tracks or lengthy play time. Acrobat will be establishing its presence as the premier independent re-issue label in the US through its distribution deal with TVT Distribution.