Jefferson Airplane - Turn My Life Down

[jessedan2]

no question.... this is the best airplane album

[leoretrosi]

best airplane lp ever sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.

[hellswinter]

the first half is excellent, the second half is incredible!

[puddypuss]

this is a good solid lp with good songs, and was the last of their special feel albums before the onslaught of the more commercial 70s

[hellswinter]

@puddypuss

I'd have to (respectfully) disagree. Bark and Long John Silver certain had some special feel tracks. When The Earth Moves Again, Third Week In The Chelsea, Easter?, Alexander The Medium, etc... some of the finest work by Jefferson Airplane imo. Not to mention, Kantner, Slick, and Frieberg's Baron Von Tollbooth... (1973) is quite possibly the best album any Jefferson Airplane member has been a part of, and nearly all of them are featured on there. But you're right about the 70s era..

[pq02lamzo]

Rockman, when I listen to Baxter's, Crown of Creation and part of Surrealistic Pillow, I feel like I'm listening to one of the top 5 bands of all time. Can you honestly say you feel that way when you listen to Volunteers? It's a good album but no an elite album and certainly not their best. There are many people that feel they fell off a cliff with this album.  Considering how great the previous one were, I'd say that's fair.

[bwanna23]

@pq02lamzo Back then, these bands were under such intense pressure to put out new material. We knew this album was thrown together, but hey, we were just along for the ride. And what a ride it was!

[hellswinter]

@pq02lamzo Wooden Ships, Turn My Life Down, Eskimo Blue Day, Hey Frederick... Yes, I can say this is an elite album, and one of their best. I'd say it has more standout tracks (Wooden Ships is one of my favourite tracks of all time), but isn't quite as consistent as SP, Crown, or Baxters. I probably frequent Volunteers the most, though. Or Bless It's Pointed Little Head, or Live At The Filmore, or Baron. I think these guys were at their bast in the early 70s, When Jack's bass ruled.

[stillustronic]

Marty sings of love, with softly flowing harmonics.

[celebrant9]

2:18

The way Jorma breaks in...

Fuckin'amazing song!

[bendbadgersteve]

Great lead break by Jorma to finish out a really neat tune. Great vocals by Marty...again.

Really good album. From Surrealistic Pillow through Volunteers, everything Airplane touched was artistic and/or commercial gold. All downhill from there save for Kantner's BATE.

Never the same after Spencer left.

[apemanstreetwalker]

@bendbadgersteve you're nuts....the later stuff was gold....as this is...

[pq02lamzo]

rockman, this is a good album but it's not the best of them. When I listen to Baxter's and Crown of Creation, I wonder why this group isn't as respected as The Beatles. When I listen to this album, I don't feel that way. Can you say that you do?

[Itty0420]

There's a video posted of Jorma on an interview show where he is asked what artist living or dead he would have wanted to record one of his songs. He said Aretha Franklin. The interviewer asked what song and he said this one. I can kind of hear it.This thing holds up pretty well.

[versatom70]

One of my favorite songs on one of my favorite albums!!!!!

[hellswinter]

@rockman1754 not sure if I agree, but it's honestly the one I most frequently listen to. Especially while driving! this...hey frederick, wooden ships...awesome driving music, and you never get tired of it

[hellswinter]

@hellswinter

I love the change in mood at 1:40. A perfect example of the kind of powerful shift in direction only JA could do well.

[jwalsh671]

This one took a while to grow on me, but let me tell you--it stuck! I've seen the shadows softly coming, taking me into a place where they turn my life down...

[chinzebo]

Nice song...Not usually the one that anyone recommended but when it was performed it always evoked a nice HUSH over the listeners.

[karmices]

Steve Stills on the Hammond B3 gives this song a nice edge!

[equinoxranch]

@karmices

All those years from the age of eight, yes, eight years of age, playing the organ and it was a B3 no less at his Southern Baptist church additionally made Stills that much more familiar with ye old B3 tonewheels, pedals and drawbars......................­.. It's such a great machine. His keyboard work has always been great.

This album by JA was so phenominal.

[icatfishman]

I was talking to Vanessa Kaukonen last week about this song and she told me that Jorma has never played it solo because there is "no way he can hit the notes"

My take...do it as a shuffle and put it into the Hot Tuna repertoire

[bendbadgersteve]

Superb vocal by Marty and two great guitar breaks by Jorma. Concise and to the point.

Love it. Always have. Always will.

[amacallan9]

@bendbadgersteve exactly!

[LandonG]

anyone know the chords?

[JG300Ascout]

This song finishes as strong as "Across the Board" (when they were "Baron von Tollbooth and the Chrome Nun"). But this one is "sweeter". Best Airplane album EVER.

[pyrophore]

This is the cut that kicked off side two of Volunteers lp.

A Jorma composition. Reportedly he had trouble with the vocal so he convinced Marty to sing it.

Boy am I glad he did. It remains one of Marty's best efforts and Kantner gave it that extra harmony touch that goes back to early JA (Come Up The Years, Don't Slip Away)

[Izzybus]

bella!

[9mej]

one of the rare times to hear a great gibson es345 studion guitar solo

[skinheadfunboy]

Totally underrated, but I think they only have themselves to blame. I saw them a long time ago and I was not impressed by them live. However Jack and Jorma did a kick ass Acoustic Hot Tuna set. I think Grace should have given a little more respect to her audience and put on a decent show rather than showing up two sheets to the wind. Anyway, I still think they kick ass!

[ngiyaxolisa]

Hear what you're saying skinhead. I never saw them myself, but my brother went to a concert back in the late 60's or early 70's and Slick could hardly stand up, let alone sing! She apologized, said she was to high (or drunk) to perform and walked right off stage not to return! Sad that some artists seem to forget that they have a full time job just like the rest of us, eh? Great song though, one of their best IMHO.

[8upgrass]

I have enjoyed all of this album that has been posted. I am going to ask for the CD for a Christmas present. Every one of these songs brings back such awesome memories for me. You had to be a youngin' to really be into the sound. I loved Jefferson Airplane!

[Ethan1956]

Thank you Billboy 10! Ace of Cups--do you know their web addy?

Thanx!

Ethan1956

[Billboy10]

Just google Ace of Cups website.

[Ethan1956]

IMO, this is one of the greatest songs the Airplane ever did (it looks forward in mood to "Miracles")--and yet it is not well known. Yes, it's Marty, and Stills on the organ, but the backup singing is simply beautiful too.

[Billboy10]

The female backup singers on this track are a group called the Ace of Cups. They have a website.

[thesognar]

its so nice to hear marty sing in a lower key

[RockAndRollSalinas]

I agree!

[hillcrestjh]

Jorma wrote this song.

[lilic1]

Yes, this one is one of my favourite from the Volunteers album. Stephen Stills on Hammond organ is great, but the best is how Marty sings this song.Amazing!

'I see the shadows softly comin' '...:)

[jonno52]

Was hoping someone would post this up, my favourite Airplane song. Jorma's guitar break, though it's short, is superb.