Great Rock Albums of 1979: Jefferson Starship- Gold

As I said a few posts ago, 1979 was a big transitional year for me and I will probably say it a few more times as I continue to visit some of the great rock and metal albums from this year, so I ask your forgiveness in advance if I go on about it too much. It also turned out that 1979 was also a major transitional year for my favourite band from the 70s, Jefferson Starship. When I saw that the "Gold" album had been released in the February of that year, I just thought it was a typical greatest hits release from their albums from 1974-78 and didn't realise what was going on behind the scenes. It would be a long time later before I learned that Grace Slick had said "I don't want to play with you guys ever again," after a bust up in Germany. She would also have to go to rehab for her problems with the bottle. Also, Marty Balin would also leave the band to persue a solo career. Therefore, "Gold" would mark a major change in the flight plan of the Starship.

First, let me be the first one to declare that I should be lined up against a wall and shot for not including the "Red Octopus" album in my "Great Rock Albums of the 70s" chapter in my tour. This was a great album that hit number one in the charts and unprecedented four times! And don't be fooled by the three singles from the album that appear on here, althought I do really like "Fast Buck Freddie." There are some other hidden rocking gems on this album so, it's no wonder this album was so popular.
Anyway, back to "Gold." Needless to say, it's a greatest hits album so the songs that appear on here will have had some form of commercial success and be familiar to most people, that's a given. However, this album had a little surprise for me the first time I listened to it. I had never heard the album "Dragon Fly" so when the song "Ride the Tiger" came blasting out of my speakers, I was totally amazed. This was a true hard rocking song that showcases the talents of Craig Chaquico with the ever competent Paul Kantner backing him up on rhythm guitar. As a result, "Ride the Tiger" went instantly to number one in my favourite Starship song list at that  time and continues to be up there in the top five of all time. In addition, the album featured a new single, "Light the Sky on Fire," which also went of the grain of the more mellower songs from this time period and left me impressed by the musicianship.

Track Listing

1. Ride the Tiger

2. Caroline

3. Play on Love

4. Miracles

5. Fast Buck Freddie

6. With Your Love

7. St Charles

8. Count On Me

9. Love Too Good

10. Runaway

Bonus tracks

Light The Sky On Fire

Hyperdrive

Jefferson Starship

Grace Slick- vocals, piano

Marty Balin- vocals

Paul Kantner- rhythm guitar, vocals

Craig Chaquico- lead guitar, backing vocals

Pete Sears- bass, keyboards

David Freiberg- bass, keyboards, backing vocals

John Barbata- drums, backing vocals

Papa John Creach- violin

"Gold" marked an end of an era for Jefferson Starship. It put the final nail in the coffin that laid to rest the band's reputation for mellow out love songs. After "Gold," their sound would change forever and be the source of much debate that carries on to this day. As for the new sound, well you will have to stick around as I'm not going to tell about that til much further down the line.

Next post: Frank Zappa- Sheik Yourb0uti

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