Jefferson Airplane, which mutated into Jefferson Starship and Starship during its three decades of existence (there is a reconstituted Jefferson Starship functioning currently, but that is not our concern here), was a collective as much as it was a rock group, its various elements blending and clashing in its music. The Airplane particularly was not known for its love songs, even though its members often employed the nomenclature of romance in their lyrics: "Somebody to Love" (by non-member Darby Slick), "Plastic Fantastic ...
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Jefferson Airplane, which mutated into Jefferson Starship and Starship during its three decades of existence (there is a reconstituted Jefferson Starship functioning currently, but that is not our concern here), was a collective as much as it was a rock group, its various elements blending and clashing in its music. The Airplane particularly was not known for its love songs, even though its members often employed the nomenclature of romance in their lyrics: "Somebody to Love" (by non-member Darby Slick), "Plastic Fantastic Lover," "Greasy Heart" (none of which are heard here). But at the center of the Airplane, at least at its inception, was singer/songwriter Marty Balin, who was as interested in love as other members turned out to be in, say, politics or science fiction. Balin's love songs were mature, erotic statements of companionship. They may have been far removed from conventional romantic sentiments, but they were love songs, and they turned up on Jefferson Airplane albums especially early on, some of them, notably "Today" and "Comin' Back to Me," becoming much-anthologized semi-standards if not actual hits. Balin was marginalized as time went on and finally dropped out of the group, but he returned to the reconstituted Jefferson Starship with even more highly developed and individualized love songs, particularly the seven-and-a-half-minute epic "Caroline" and the almost as long hit, "Miracles." These helped Jefferson Starship best the commercial success of Jefferson Airplane, but Balin again dropped out of the picture as the group turned into an arena rock ensemble in the late 1970s and '80s. Love Songs, a compilation that draws from all three manifestations of the band, ought to be, and very nearly is, a de facto "Best of Marty Balin" to complement RCA's recent The Best of Grace Slick. He dominates the record, not disappearing until the 14th of the 17 tracks, at which point the sound changes radically, not only because the soulless Mickey Thomas replaces him, but because the arrangements become simultaneously streamlined and bombastic. Jefferson Starship was not forced to change its name to Starship until 1985, when Paul Kantner, the last original Airplane member, departed, but when the 1981 track "Save Your Love" kicks in on this album, it's clear that this is a different, and far inferior, band. Also, the final tracks are not, like the earlier ones, ballads in the usual sense, but instead power ballads, that 1980s radio term describing highly produced mid-tempo songs that rocked just enough to keep arena patrons in their seats and built to crescendos that caused them to raise their cigarette lighters. It's an ignominious conclusion to a career that included so many appealing songs, many of them reprised here. ~ William Ruhlmann, Rovi
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Add this copy of Love Songs to cart. $3.92, fair condition, Sold by Goodwill of Colorado rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by RCA.
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Fair. All our items come in the original case with artwork, though manuals and slipcovers are not always guaranteed to be included as these items are donated goods and will show some wear and tear from normal use. Jewel cases will be included but may be damaged and/or cracked. We typically resurface discs that are visibly scratched prior to shipping, but we do not test disc(s). Digital codes may not be included and have not been tested to be redeemable and/or active. Thank you for shopping with Goodwill Colorado! Orders shipped Monday through Friday. Safe and Secure Bubble Mailer! Your purchase helps put people to work and learn life skills to reach their full potential. Thank you!
Add this copy of Love Songs to cart. $3.92, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Ruby rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by RCA.
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Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Love Songs to cart. $4.49, very good condition, Sold by St. Vinnie's Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Eugene, OR, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by RCA.
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Very Good. AudioCD 100% of proceeds go to charity! Complete item with limited signs of use and wear. May have minor scuffs and flaws but is in very good working condition.
Add this copy of Love Songs to cart. $4.99, very good condition, Sold by HPB Inc. rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by RCA.
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Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Love Songs to cart. $8.76, like new condition, Sold by Streetlight_Records rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Santa Cruz, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Sony Legacy.
Add this copy of Love Songs to cart. $49.77, new condition, Sold by insomniacsonline rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from South Hackensack, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Sony Legacy.
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New. Size: 5x4x0; Buy from insomniacs! We dont sleep until your order is shipped! Professional packaging, same day shipping on most orders. View our feedback and buy with confidence.
