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| Sweeping Up the Spotlight: Jefferson Airplane Live at the Fillmore East 1969 | 
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| Artist: Jefferson Airplane
Label: RCA
Category: Music
List Price: $11.98
Buy New: $6.53
You Save: $5.45 (45%)
New (41) Used (12) from $6.03
Avg. Customer Rating:  21 reviews
Sales Rank: 19107
Format: Live
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 81558
UPC: 828768155820
EAN: 0828768155820
ASIN: B000O76UVW
Release Date: May 15, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW, Factory Sealed items direct from the Studios. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Quick International Airmail!
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| Customer Reviews:
 The Airplane at their most musically mature - stunning! May 22, 2007
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
When I first saw 'Sweeping Up the Spotlight' listed, I was a little sceptical. After all we had already had two official live albums from RCA as well as a whole host of other releases in the so called 'grey market'. To add to this, the tracklisting for 'Spotlight' looked overly familiar - and I was beginning to wonder whether there was actually ever a Balin era concert when they they didn't do 'The Other Side of This Life'. I really should have known better. The Airplane's capacity for innovation and reinvention is underpinned here by their trademark instrumental prowess and some wonderful three part harmonies. 'Pooneil'features a virtual masterclass in improvisation from Jack Casady as well as series of especially deranged and discordant 'Zappaesque' sound effects at the beginning. In fairness it should be pointed out that two of the twelve performances appeared a few years back on the expanded (Legacy)version of 'Volunteers'. But they sound far better here in the context of the whole concert - and we have a bonus in Balin's 'Dresses Too Short' - the only official version of this one we've heard before is the one from the Box Set - dating from Marty's one off performance with the band in 1972. The attractive booklet contains a short but reflective essay from Jorma Kaukonen. This concert represents the Airplane at their most musically mature. Woodstock and their five classic studio albums are behind them. And yet the purity of their music has yet to be compromised by the departure of Marty Balin and the arrival of later extraneous members. Even if you are not chronically addicted to the Airplane's music you will love this one.
Airplane at its Best June 15, 2007
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
Hard to believe that this was not released in 1969-70--it's at least as good as the live Bless its Pointy Little head, and most of the cuts are as good as the best Airplane studio work. Other cuts are like a full metal jacket version of the first two Hot Tuna albums. Only live version of the Won't You Try/Sat. Afternoon from After Bathing at Baxters. Only less than stellar cut to my ears is Balin's You Wear Your Dresses too Short. While there are two cuts that were released on the expanded Volunteers, including them here preserves the integrity of the Filmore sets
All the old fans have come to the same conclusion May 23, 2007
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
Hi Airplane people:
Those looking for another CD to build the Airplane collection will be very pleased with the "Sweeping Up The Spotlight" release. A couple of minor things should have been taken care of. The liner notes are way too short and there is no mention if the songs come from November 28th or 29th of 69.
Some of the tracks have different arrangements such as 3/5 Of A Mile In 10 Seconds."
The sound quality is very strong. Hopefully sales will be good so the opportunity will exist for another one from the vaults to see the light of day.
Time to take off. Be well always,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"
You DO Know Jack July 5, 2007
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
We can discuss whether or not this CD is as good as BIPLH or not. A couple things I'd like to mention from my perspective that make this CD different:
1) If you are a fan of Jack's, then you want this CD. He does a solo on Ballad of You and Me and Pooneil that is OFF THE FREAKING HOOK, my brothers and sisters. This solo--and Jack took way too few of them if you ask me-- feels like tectonic plates shifting. On the rest of the CD his playing absolutely ROARS as well. No one before or since has ever played bass like Jack. When Jorma joins in after the solo Jack even manages to feed on the energy and take it to still a higher level.
(Aside: To say the singing and harmonies are "uneven" is to be kind. Like so much of their live work, the vocal are just silly and indulgent.)
2) I really like how you can hear what Kantner was doing for a change. This must be a result of modern sound technology. It adds a dimension that we had to struggle to enjoy in the past and I am very glad they captured his work here.
Is it better than BIPLH? It's different. It's worth it if only for Jack's playing but there is so much more to enjoy too. Take care.
Almost as good as Bless Its Pointed Little Head June 5, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This is a great cd, capturing the Airplane on an exceptionally good night. The version of "Volunteers" is better than any other live version of the song I've heard and "The Other Side of This Life" is a powerful mixture of the "Bless its..." version and the earlier trippier versions of the song. "Ballad of Me and You and Pooneil" is also magnificent. Jack's bass palaying is fantastic, Jorma shows why he is the most underated guitarist in rock history and Grace sings in key! BUY THIS CD!
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