The legendary Jefferson Starship is at it again. Moving forward by reaching back, and in doing so, daringly casting a light for a new generation of change-makers riveted by the group's first new studio album in a decade, [title]Jefferson's Tree Of Liberty[/title]. The 18 song CD finds the group harnessing rare gems from the great folk tradition that inspired the rock n' roll hall of fame band more than 4 decades ago. The brainchild of singer/songwriter/band co-founder Paul Kantner (and co-produced by band manager Michael Gaiman, recurring Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship fixture and Quicksilver Messenger Service founder David Freiberg and Paul Kantner), the album mixes it up with Jefferson's trademark knack for defying fans' expectations as well as their own, introducing a soaring new female voice on many of the songs, Cathy Richardson, and tapping rock icon and original Jefferson treasure Grace Slick to appear on the album's mesmerizing `Easter Egg' bonus track.

Jefferson's Tree Of Liberty is an unusual Jefferson Starship album in a number of ways. First, it's the first covers album any Jefferson configuration has ever recorded in their five-decade career, which is a noteworthy event in itself, but that's not the only thing different about JTOL. When Jefferson Starship decided to cut a whole album of folk tunes popularized by their heroes and peers, it was decided to create a sound not too dissimilar to the early version of the Airplane that Kantner and Balin founded over 40 years ago. The CD features one song with Grace Slick and has Paul Kantner, David Freiberg, Darby Gould, Cathy Richardson, David LaFlamme, Mart Balin, David Grisman and Prairie Prince also on the CD.

Tracklist
1. Wasn't That A Time
2. Follow The Drinking Gourd
3. Santy Anno
4. Cowboy On The Run
5. I Ain't Marching Anymore
6. Chimes Of Freedom
7. Genesis Hall
8. Kisses Sweeter Than Wine
9. Royal Canal
10. Risin' Of The Moon
11. Frenario
12. In A Crisis
13. Maybe For You
14. Comandante Carlos Fonseca
15. Pastures Of Plenty
16. Imagine Redemption
17. On The Threshold Of Fire
18. The Quiet Joys Of Brotherhood
19. (Hidden Bonus Track)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001D5F3RG/?tag=imwan-20

who is still playing with them from the original band?

As of 2008 Jefferson Starship continues to tour with a lineup of Paul Kantner (vocals, guitar), David Freiberg (vocals, bass, keyboards), Cathy Richardson (vocals), Slick Aguilar (lead guitar), Chris Smith (keyboards) and Donny Baldwin (drums). The band sometimes features guest musicians such as Balin, Gould, Gorman and former Grateful Dead keyboardist Tom Constanten.

Cathy Richardson has been kicking around the Chicago music scene for years. She's quite good, but has never gotten the break she deserved. I've seen her twice in the last couple of years, once opening for John Waite, and another time opening for Paul Rodgers.

She was offered the lead vocal spot by Kantner himself, and told a friend of mine when he wanted to know if she was interested, she jumped at the chance. I hope this works out for her...

Jeff

I thought Prairie Prince was there drummer these days?

Jefferson Starship arrives back on the music scene with the release of their new album, Jefferson’s Tree of Liberty. The band will have past members like Kantner, Slick, Balin, and others. The other thing is that the album is filled with covers from Lennon, Marley, Ochs, Seeger, Dylan, Leadbelly, and others, 19 tracks altogether. The album will be released on Fuel Records with 24-bit mastering and a Deluxe Packaging with extensive liner notes. This album is planned for September 2. Jefferson Starship will be touring this year and next.

"Slick", huh? Slick Aguilar, I presume. Pretty sneaky!

He's with the New Cars if they're even still driving. I guess the Jefferson Bogus Starship Thrice Removed wasn't good enough for him!
Why is such a good drummer playing with such horrid ripoff acts? Maybe he still plays with whatever passes for The Tubes these days?

Last time I checked, he plays with the Tubes when his other better paying gigs aren't conflicting. The Tubes seem to only be gigging a couple times a month.

i saw JS twice with Prairie Prince on drums and he's no slouch
As long as Kantners there there's nothing bogus about JS.

Agreed on both counts. Like all of the original Tubes, Prairie is a superb musician.

Prairie was also the original drummer for Journey in 1973 before he left for...The Tubes! A very good and underrated drummer for sure.

I believe The New Cars called it quits already...

I HOPE so..............

Diana Mangano left? Bummer. I thought she was a great singer, also sooo beautiful! Very nice person too.....

Bump ~ added cover art and tracklisting to the first post. (Grace appears on one song.)

I heard "Imagine" on Sirius before I knew there was a new record coming out... I was like "I never heard this before..."

Re: Prairie Prince -- I just read that he'll be on the new Todd Rundgren tour.

I'm wondering if this is a typo on Amazon's part and if this might be the song Fenario/Peggy-O.

Has anyone seen a tracklisting anywhere other than Amazon?

Answered my own question. It's written as Frenario everywhere I looked but I streamed a clip at vh1 and it is the song that I've always called Peggy-O.

Some answers from an obsessed fan for you, who has an advance copy of the album:



Prairie Prince plays drums on the album but Donny Baldwin is drumming live with the band.



I think that they meant Slick Aguilar too, but as it is he only appears on two tracks on the album ("Genesis Hall" and "Maybe for You"). Grace Slick does appear on at least one track (it is possibly her singing background on some others) - she appears on track 19, which is not listed anywhere on the liner notes but will show up on your CD. However, most of that track is sung by David Freiberg with Grace singing the refrain.



Cathy Richardson is now the main vocalist, but Diana is staying on as a sometimes guest vocalist a la Darby Gould. She sings on two tracks on the new album ("Royal Canal" and "Commandante Carlos Fonseca"). Speaking of which, Gould also appears on several tracks.


Paul sings it with an 'R', "Frenario." He says in the liner notes that he learned it in the 60s so I guess that's just how he knows it. It's credited to "Traditional" so it probably has had various titles through the years.

Joe,

Welcome, and thanks for the information!