Robben Ford Discussion

[LongIslandRod]

Anybody familiar with Jefferson Starship's Dragonfly? I'm sure you guys from the bay area are. I hold that record in high regard, I think Craig Chiqaito(?) did some tasteful guitar work on it, especially his wah-wah rythmn work. The songwriting's great too.

Any opinions on it? I'd like to hear.

Thanks...

[Daved]

I found it interesting that We Built This City On R&R was recently listed as the worst record of all time. I, myself, have always thought that song was actually an excellent song.... well written, well produced, original in context and content, and powerfully executed. Especially during a period of high schlock for a band that had epitomized the magical essence & imagination of the 'psychedelic' era.

I was (still am, actually) a very huge fan of the Jefferson AIRPLANE and their first 4 albums. I started to lose interest and respect beginning with Bless It's Pointed Little Head, a disappointing album of very poor quality in many ways, and the first real indication that the 'original' band was beginning to slide downhill.

The STARSHIP configuration rarely held my interest, altho there are some interesting moments in their early days. And, though I tried very hard, I could never quite get into the Starship's new direction. But, if your gonna give in to commercialism, then you can't ask for much more than something like We Built This City.

I do have Dragonfly, on vinyl, though I haven't listened to it in years and I really can't remember much about it, so I must not have been overly impressed at the time I bought it. I admit that Craig was an excellent player, but overall I had a hard time accepting his smoothness and predictability into a band that I always expected, and wanted, more suprises from. But, times & tastes do change... I'll have to pull it out and give it a sampling again when I get the chance.

As a side note, I worked with Kantner's Starship briefly in the early 90's, and very much enjoyed the gig. It was about 6 months to a year before Papa John passed away, whom I always admired and thought was a stroke of inspiration when Kantner brought him into their orginization, so I was glad I got the chance to meet and work with him.

The band at the time I was onboard was Paul Kantner and Slick Aguilara on guitars, with Paul handling most of the vocals (tho Marty Balin would ocassionally show up when and where his solo career permitted, and those nights were always very exciting and special for me) and a competent female vocalist (I don't remember her name), with Papa playing fiddle, Jack Cassidy on bass, and Prairie Prince on drums. They did a lot of the early Airplane material which made me very happy.

Paul used half a dozen 12 string Rickenbackers, each with different 'alternate' tunings and capos. He had a very bad habit of changing the setlist, halfway thru a song, to a song with tunings for which I had no guitar readily setup, which, of course, meant I would have to scramble to get one of the Ricky's retuned and capo'd in about a minute and a half... a major headache when dealing with 12 strings... as he ALWAYS expected me to literally to be standing at the ready, on stage by his side, to switch guitars when the last chord was struck. LOL!

Whew! He really gave me a workout, but I'll always fondly, and vividly, remember those 6 months.
_________________
B C-ing U!
( }:-Daved
"This boy's diseased with rhythm!" -Bing Crosby (Road To Rio, '49)

[JavaDiva]

One of my all time favorite Starship albums, along with Spitfire (I think that was the one - with the dragon on the front cover?) Looked up Craig on imusic.com - he's gone on to smooth jazz. Like Daved, my copies of these are on vinyl and I haven't listened to them in years (no turntable). They sound good really LOUD.

[fingerlakes]

It's funny that you mention this record as my son and 4 other kids are out playing in my barn as i write this and 'Ride the Tiger " is one song they are working on. I converted an old hay loft into a practice area for them and they play just about every day. While they have a long way to go i admire the way they work at it. At the very least I no longer have a pidgeon problem in the rafters of my barn.

My kids have gone through my stack of old vinyl and really seem to like the old Airplane, Starship,and Hot Tuna records.

Does anyone know what Jorma and Jack are up to these days ? I saw them listed on the bill of a Bluegrass festival in the Adirondacks later this summer.

[JavaDiva]

I went to one of Jorma's shows last summer, all acoustic music, just him and a mandolin player. Lots of Hot Tuna and Jefferson Airplane tunes. I think he occassionally does an electric Hot tuna show as well, with Jack.