THE BARON AGAIN

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33453, 7 February 1974, Page 4

THE BARON AGAIN

Some albums deserve a second listen and although Baron von Tollbooth, and the Chrome Nun (Grunt B.F.L. 1-0148) was reviewed on ihis page some months ago it has only just been released. Grace Slick. Paul Kantner and David Freiberg have put together an album that is. without a doubt, the best that Jefferson Airplane and friends have produced in their eight years in the business. The genesis of this album was “Crown of Creation," which was refined through “Volunteer--'”, “Bark”. “Long John Silver” and. of course, “Blows Against the Empire". It is sci-fi, flower power, psychedelic rock taken to a level of sophistication few would have believed pos-

sible five or six years ago. The addition of David Freiberg (ex Quicksilver) to rhe Jefferson Airplane lineup has added a new vocal dimension to rhe group. Freiberg’s voice melds i beautifully with the intricate work of Grace Slick and Paul Kantner (fori whom 10 years of singing together has brought a vocal rapport unmatched in; contemporary rock). But it is Grace Slick herself that makes this album. 1 as good as it is. In “Across; the Board” Grace

one of the most powerful, passionate songs to be written for some time. We| need more songs like this to counter the glitter of Alice Cooper and the like. Of course the in-! strumental work, as on all Jefferson Airplane albums,, is superb. John Barbata, Jerry Garcia, David Crosby, the Pointer Sisters and Mickey Hart are just a few ; of the “names” that feature; as supporting artists. Add; to these the resident Air-; plane members — Jorma Kaukonen, Jack CasadyJ and Papa John Creach — and you have a collection; of talent that, like Segovia; and other masters, is; almost beyond criticism. Definitely the record of 1974 — and it will take a great disc to better it. —Malcolm Severs