Tag Archives: Gary Blackman

Paul Kantner: Blows Against the Empire

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In November 1970, “RCA Victor” label released “Blows Against the Empire”, the debut Paul Kantner album. It was released under the name Paul Kantner and Jefferson Starship, and was the first album to use the “Starship” moniker. It was recorded in 1970, at “Pacific High” and “Wally Heider Studios” in San Francisco, and was produced by Paul Kantner,

Personnel:

  • Paul Kantner – vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, banjo, bass machine, design
  • Grace Slick – vocals, piano
  • Jerry Garcia – vocals, banjo, lead guitar, pedal steel guitar, sound effects
  • David Crosby – lead and backing vocals, guitar, engineer
  • Peter Kaukonen – lead guitar
  • Jack Casady – bass
  • Harvey Brooks – bass
  • Joey Covington – vocals, drums, congas
  • Bill Kreutzmann – drums
  • Graham Nash – congas, sound effects, backing vocals, engineer
  • Mickey Hart – vocals, percussion, sound effects
  • David Freiberg – backing vocals
  • Phill Sawyer – sound effects
  • Allen Zentz, Pat Leraci, Phill Sawyer, Bob Shoemaker – engineer
  • CCCP – cover
  • Patti Landres – books
  • Jim Goldberg – space, design
  • Tony Nagamuma – title

Track listing:

  1. Mau Mau (Amerikon) – Paul Kantner, Grace Slick, Joey Covington
  2. The Baby Tree – Rosalie Sorrels
  3. Let’s Go Together – Paul Kantner
  4. A Child Is Coming – Paul Kantner, Grace Slick, David Crosby
  5. Sunrise – Grace Slick
  6. Hijack – Paul Kantner, Grace Slick, Marty Balin, Gary Blackman
  7. Home – Paul Kantner, Phil Sawyer, Graham Nash
  8. Have You Seen the Stars Tonight? – Paul Kantner, David Crosby
  9. XM – Paul Kantner, Phil Sawyer, Jerry Garcia, Mickey Hart
  10. Starship – Paul Kantner, Grace Slick. Marty Balin, Gary Blackman

Paul Kantner & Grace Slick: Sunfighter

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In November 1971, “Grunt”, “RCA” labels released “Sunfighter”, album by Paul Kantner and Grace Slick. It was recorded in 1971, at “Wally Heider Studios” in San Francisco, and was produced by Paul Kantner and Grace Slick.

Personnel:

  • Paul Kantner– vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Grace Slick– vocals, piano, booklet libretto
  • Jack Traylor – vocals, guitar
  • Craig Chaquico– lead guitar
  • Jerry Garcia – guitar
  • David Crosby – vocals, tambourine
  • Jorma Kaukonen – lead guitar
  • Peter Kaukonen– guitar, mandolin
  • Pat Gleeson – Moog synthesizer, piano
  • John Vierra – synthesizer, keyboards
  • Graham Nash– ARP synthesizer
  • Papa John Creach – electric violin
  • Bill Laudner – vocals
  • Jack Casady– bass
  • Spencer Dryden– drums
  • Chris Wing – drums
  • Shelley Silverman, Joey Covington– drums
  • Phill Sawyer – sound effects
  • Edwin Hawkins Singers (Edwin Hawkins, Walter Hawkins, Tramaine Davis Hawkins, Elaine Kelley, Norma J. King, Barbara Gill, Ruth Wyons, Daphne Henderson, Shirley Miller, Eddie Bayers) – vocals
  • Steven Schuster – flute, saxophone, horn arrangements
  • Tower of Power(Greg Adams, Mic Gillette) – horns
  • Pat Ieraci (Maurice the Miracle Man), Phill Sawyer – engineer
  • Acy Lehman – cover, assistant on libretto booklet
  • Heavy Water Lights (Mary Ann Mayer, Joan Chase) – lights inside
  • Gary Blackman – assistant on libretto booklet

Track listing:

  1. Silver Spoon – Grace Slick
  2. Diana – Paul Kantner, Grace Slick
  3. Sunfighter – Paul Kantner
  4. Titanic -Phill Sawyer
  5. Look at the Wood – Grace Slick, Paul Kantner
  6. When I Was a Boy I Watched the Wolves – Paul Kantner, Grace Slick
  7. Million – Paul Kantner
  8. China – Grace Slick
  9. Earth Mother – Jack Taylor
  10. Diana 2 – Paul Kantner, Grace Slick
  11. Universal Copernican Mumbles – Pat Gleeson, John Vierra, Paul Kantner
  12. Holding Together – Grace Slick, Paul Kantner

Jefferson Airplane: Volunteers

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In November 1969, “RCA” label released “Volunteers”, the fifth Jefferson Airplane album. It was recorded in April 1969, at “Wally Heider Studios” in San Francisco, and was produced by Al Schmitt.

Personnel:

  • Grace Slick– vocals, piano, organ, recorder, design
  • Jorma Kaukonen– vocals, lead guitar, design
  • Paul Kantner– vocals, rhythm guitar, design
  • Jack Casady– bass, design
  • Spencer Dryden– drums, percussion, design
  • Marty Balin– vocals, percussion
  • Jerry Garcia– pedal steel guitar
  • Nicky Hopkins– piano
  • Stephen Stills– Hammond organ
  • Joey Covington– congas, chair
  • David Crosby– sailboat
  • Ace of Cups– vocals
  • Bill Laudner– lead vocals
  • Rich Schmitt – engineer
  • Gut – design
  • Milton Burke – design
  • Jim Marshall – cover photography
  • Jim Smircich – back photography
  • Littie Herbie Greene – PB & J photography

Track listing:

  1. We Can Be Together – Paul Kantner
  2. Good Shepherd – traditional, arr. by Jorma Kaukonen
  3. The Farm – Paul Kantner, Gary Blackman
  4. Hey Frederick – Grace Slick
  5. Turn My Life Down – Jorma Kaukonen
  6. Wooden Ships – David Crosby, Paul Kantner, Stephen Stills
  7. Eskimo Blue Day – Grace Slick, Paul Kantner
  8. A Song for All Seasons – Spencer Drtden
  9. Meadowlands – Lev Knipper
  10. Volunteers – Marty Balin, Paul Kantner

Jefferson Airplane: Bark

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In September 1971, “Grunt” label released “Bark”, the sixth Jefferson Airplane studio album. It was recorded October 1970 – June 1971, at “Wally Heider Studios” in San Francisco, and was produced by Jack Cassidy, Joey Covington, Paul Kantner, Jorma Kaukonen, Grace Slick and Papa John Creach.

Personnel:

  • Paul Kantner– vocals, guitar
  • Jorma Kaukonen– vocals, lead guitar
  • Grace Slick– vocals, piano, portraits
  • Papa John Creach– violin
  • Jack Casady– bass guitar, bass balalaika
  • Joey Covington – vocals, drums, percussion
  • Bill Laudner – vocal
  • Will Scarlett – harmonica
  • A Train – additional ideas
  • Allen Zentz – engineer
  • Masterful Maurice (Pat Leraci) – engineer
  • Acy Lehman – package concept, design
  • Bill Thompson – portrait of Grace
  • Gary Blackman – art direction, bag poem

Track listing:

  1. When the Earth Moves Again – Paul Kantner
  2. Feel So Good – Jorma Kaukonen
  3. Crazy Miranda – Grace Slick
  4. Pretty as You Feel – Joey Covington, Jack Casady, Jorma Kaukonen
  5. Wild Turkey – Jorma Kaukonen
  6. Law man – Grace Slick
  7. Rock and Roll Island – Paul Kantner
  8. Third Week in the Chelsea – Jorma Kaukonen
  9. Never Argue with a German If You’re Tired or European Song – Grace Slick
  10. Thunk – Joey Covington
  11. War Movie – Paul Kantner

Jefferon Airplane: Crown of Creation

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In September 1968, “RCA Victor” label released “Crown of Creation”, the fourth Jefferson Airplane studio album. It was recorded February – June 1958, at “RCA Victor Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by Al Schmitt.

Personnel:

  • Marty Balin– vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Grace Slick– vocals, piano, organ
  • Paul Kantner– vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Jorma Kaukonen– vocals, lead guitar
  • Jack Casady – bass
  • Spencer Dryden – vocals, drums, piano, organ
  • Charles Cockey – vocals, guitar
  • David Crosby– guitar
  • Tim Davis– congas
  • Bill Goodwin– talking drums
  • Dan Woody – bongos
  • Gene Twombly – sound effects
  • Richie Schmitt – engineer
  • Pat Leraci – 8-Track recording
  • Van Hamersveld – design, art direction
  • Hiro – photography
  • USAF – bomb photography

Track listing:

  1. Lather – Grace Slick
  2. In Time – Paul Kantner, Marty Balin
  3. Triad – David Crosby
  4. Star Track – Jorma Kaukonen
  5. Share a Little Joke – Marty Balin
  6. Chushingura – Spencer Dryden
  7. If You Feel – Marty Balin, Gary Blackman
  8. Crown of Creation – Paul Kantner
  9. Ice Cream Phoenix – Jorma Kaukonen, Charles Cockey
  10. Greasy Heart – Grace Slick
  11. The House at Pooneil Corners – Paul Kantner, Marty Balin