NEW ALBUM: JEFFERSON STARSHIP ~ Mother of the Sun

[Ruby]

JEFFERSON STARSHIP ~ Mother of the Sun

 
 
Was a bit trepidatious about this one what with no Paul Kantner and no Grace Slick aboard (not to mention a few others)! I think this ‘in the spirit of’ more than trying to emulate either the Starship or the Airplane of half a century ago so best not to expect either – take it for what it is in this moment.

I can’t find a list of the credits so it’s difficult to tell exactly who did what, but I do know that Grace Slick wrote the lyrics to “It’s About Time”, and that “What Are We Waiting For” is an expression that Paul Kantner used to use all the time – impatient to get going; I’m sure that was a collaborative effort and that the track has been in gestation for some time now. Cathy Richardson is the very capable lead vocalist and sings on all but “Setting Sun” and “Don’t be Sad Anymore” (written by the fairly recently deceased Marty Balin and a tribute to his memory) which are sung by the remarkable David Freiberg. I’m blown away – what an astonishing voice! And he’s 81!!! Jeepers. I’d be impressed even if he wasn’t such a venerable age – masterful key changes and no quavering in that voice – can’t say if there’s been doctoring – l prefer to think not. There’s one instrumental – an Airplane track “Embryonic Journey” which is given a revamping by new guitarist Jude Gold – very good, I thought.

It’s a fairly short album at around 32 odd minutes, a bit of a mixed bag, and I like it. 

“What Are We Waiting For” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd_Mtyy3L60

“It’s About Time” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTtfVBc3es4

“Setting Sun”