Search - Jefferson Starship :: Dragon Fly

The music remains a solid 4 stars, just DON'T BUY THIS! (or

John H. McCarthy | Archbald,PA | 08/22/2008

(1 out of 5 stars)

"So, what makes this bargain not a bargain? Read on...the mastering/re-mastering is EXACTLY the same as the 1997 version (I compared both versions several times to verify the sound quality). The 1997 CD has a beautiful variation of the original inner sleeve art on the disc itself, in 2008 we get plain blue with album/group name and song titles/lengths. The 2008 case does have a clear jewel tray, but the picture underneath artistic squiggles, in variations of blue. Last, but unfortunately THE LEAST is the travesty done to the 1997 art and booklet. The 1997 version has a faithful reproduction of the original album jacket on both sides of the enclosed booklet. The back tray liner features a color reproduction of the original inner sleeve art. The booklet itself is 8 pages, 3 of which contain a helpful and informative summary of the groups origins and the album itself written by David Cohen. Song information and further well-reproduced artwork variations round out the rest. Not only does the 2008 version only have a 4 page booklet with 2 blank inside, the back of the booklet and the back liner tray only contains song tiles, times and credits. I've saved the worst for last, which is the shody reproduction of the original front cover artwork. Not only is it blurry and lacking detail compared to the 1997 version, they don't even use the original font! All in all not even worth the lower price. Sony/BMG has recently re-released what seems to be at least a hundred different older or out-of-print titles under the "Custom Marketing Group" imprinture, many that in the past had excellent booklets chock-full of informative information and photos. I can only STRONGLY recommend that if given the choice between a 2008 lower price "Custom Marketing Group CD", or the actual original it is meant to replace, don't think twice. As more and more music lovers catch on to this latest "major label" scam, the prices wanted for the superior originals are bound to skyrocket. Don't say I didn't warn you......"

Better than last two Airplane albums.

A reader from NY | Roseboom, NY USA | 02/16/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Jefferson Airplane may have officially disbanded in 1973, but the Jefferson Starship is just a slight name change for the Jefferson Airplane.



5 of of the 7 members of the last incarnation of Airplane were participants on Dragon Fly plus original Airplane member Marty Balin makes a return for one song on this album. Balin would rejoin the band full time during the tour of this album. Only the Hot Tuna guys (Jorma Kaukonian and Jack Cassidy) are missing on this album.



Now on to the songs. A few highlights.



Ride the Tiger - One of the hardest rocking songs of any Marty Balin era in Jefferson Airplane/Starship. As with many songs on this album, it's rather lengthy (5 of 8 tracks are 5 minutes or more. Very likeable song and underrated song of the Jefferson A/S career.



Caroline - Song the only way Marty Balin can sing them with a silky smooth voice. There is a reason why Jefferson Airplane/Starship sold less albums when Balin wasn't in the band.



Devil's Den - A politically charged song written by Grace/Slick and Papa John Creach. Creach's fiddle blends well with Slick's vocals in an up temple song.



Come to Life: One of the rare Starship songs with David Freiburg on vocals. An up temple pop song with a little blues/ Motown flavor in it.



All Fly Away - Song by Paul Kantner. Sounds alot like Kantner's song "In Time" on Airplane's Crown of Creation. Chaquico's guitar bring back memories of Jormas with the Wah-wah sound here.



Hyperdrive - A little long, but a good closer. Unlike what was previous stated in other post, this song was written by Pete Sear's wife, Jeanette with Grace Slick, not Pete Sears."

Papa John Subs for Jorma

FarFromPerfect | Chicago, Illinois United States | 12/01/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First off, this album is one of the best in the Starship/Airplane catalog. I'd rate it just slightly below Red Octopus. The reason I didn't give it five stars is because this cd has not been remastered. The sound quality is acceptable, but pales in comparison to Red Octopus.



The most apparent difference from the Airplane is the abscence of Jorma Kaukonen. Craig Chaquico is a fine guitarist, but his playing lacks Jorma's grit. That grit was rooted in Kaukonen's fondness for country blues. The fiddle of Papa John Creach, Jorma's sometime partner in Hot Tuna, helps provide that rootsy sound."