PAUL KANTNER - Blows Against The Empire 12" Vinyl LP Album

- ex-Jefferson Starship

 This rare to find album includes the 8 page booklet with lyrics of the songs performed by Paul Kantner as well as some very psychedelic artwork.

"Blows Against the Empire" is a concept album by "Paul Kantner" and "Grace Slick", released under the name Paul Kantner and Jefferson Starship, the first album to use the "Starship" name, although the personnel line-up was not the same as would appear on the first actual Jefferson Starship album

 

Album Front Cover Photo of PAUL KANTNER ( Jefferson Starship ) - Blows Against The Empire

Paul Kantner's Blows Against The Empire: A Musical Odyssey in a Time of Turmoil
Album Description:

Paul Kantner's 1970 concept album, "Blows Against The Empire," stands as a fascinating artifact of a turbulent era. Released during the Vietnam War and the height of the countercultural movement, the album resonated with a generation grappling with social and political upheaval.

Historical Context

The album's creation was intertwined with the zeitgeist of the late 1960s. Kantner, a founding member of Jefferson Airplane, sought to create a musical project that went beyond the boundaries of the band's established sound. He assembled a collective of musicians from various backgrounds, including members of the Grateful Dead and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, to embark on a sonic adventure.

Musical Exploration

"Blows Against The Empire" defies easy categorization. It blends elements of rock, folk, psychedelia, and even early hints of progressive rock. The album's narrative revolves around a group of rebels who hijack a starship and set off on a journey to find a new home in space. This utopian theme resonated with listeners disillusioned with the status quo.

Production Team and Recording Studio

The album was produced by Kantner himself and recorded at Wally Heider Studios and Pacific High Recording in San Francisco, California. The recording process was known for its experimental nature, with musicians encouraged to improvise and contribute their unique talents.

Essential Album Information For: PAUL KANTNER ( Jefferson Starship ) - Blows Against The Empire

Music Genre:

Rock, Folk rock, Psychedelic rock 

Label & Catalognr:

 RCA Victor SF 8163 / LSP 4448 / ZPRS 9053 ( Orange label colour )

Media Format:

Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 280 gram  

Year & Country:

1971 Made in UK England

PAUL KANTNER ( Jefferson Starship ) - Blows Against The Empire Production & Recording Information

Album Packaging

This 12" LP vinyl music record comes comes in a Fold Open Cover (FOC), which is also also known as a Gatefold cover. The inner pages of this album cover contains photos, artwork.

This album also includes a booklet

Producers:

Paul Kantner - Producer

Sound & Recording Engineers:

Allen Zentz - Sound Engineer

Recording Location:

The album Paul Kantner ( Jefferson Starship ) - Blows Against The Empire was recorded at two studios in San Francisco: Pacific High Recording Studios and Wally Heider Studios

Album Cover Design & Artwork:

CCCP - Album Cover Design

Patti Landres - Books

Musicians:
  • Paul Kantner - vocals, electric guitars, acoustic guitars, banjo, bass machine
  • Grace Slick - piano, vocals

    Grace Slick, iconic rock vocalist, rose to fame in the 1960s with Jefferson Airplane and Starship, pioneering psychedelic rock. Learn more

  • Jerry Garcia - banjo on "Let's Go Together", pedal steel guitar on "Have You Seen the Stars Tonite", sound effects and vocals on "XM", lead guitar on "Starship"

    Jerry Garcia (Full-name: Jerome John Garcia) was born on 1 August 1942, in San Francisco, California. He began playing the guitar at the age of 15 and was heavily influenced by bluegrass and folk music. In 1965, he co-founded the Grateful Dead with fellow musician Bob Weir. The band quickly gained a following for their unique blend of rock, folk, blues, and country music, and became known for their improvisational live performances.

    more...

    Throughout his career, Garcia also released several solo albums and collaborated with other musicians, including the Jerry Garcia Band and the Garcia/Grisman acoustic duo. He was also a member of the supergroup the Other Ones, which formed in 1998 after the Grateful Dead disbanded following Garcia's death.

    Garcia struggled with drug addiction throughout his life, which ultimately contributed to his death on August 9, 1995. He died of a heart attack in a drug rehab facility in Forest Knolls, California. He is widely considered to be one of the most influential guitarists of the 20th century and his contributions to the Grateful Dead's music continue to be celebrated by fans around the world.

  • Bill Kreutzmann - drums on "Let's Go Together"
  • Mickey Hart - percussion on "Have You Seen the Stars Tonite", sound effects and vocals on "XM"
  • Joey Covington - drums and vocals on "Mau Mau", congas on "Hijack"
  • Jack Casady - bass on "A Child Is Coming" and "Sunrise"
  • David Crosby - vocals and guitar on "A Child Is Coming" and "Have You Seen the Stars Tonite", background vocals on "Starship"
  • Graham Nash - congas on "Hijack", sound effects on "Home", background vocals on "Starship"
  • David Freiberg - background vocals on "Starship"
  • Harvey Brooks - bass on "Starship"
  • Peter Kaukonen - lead guitar on "Mau Mau"
  • Phill Sawyer - sound effects on "Home" and "XM"
Tracklisting Side One:
  1. "Mau Mau (Amerikon)" Paul Kantner, Grace Slick, Joey Covington 6:33
  2. "The Baby Tree" Rosalie Sorrels 1:42
  3. "Let's Go TogetherA" Kantner 4:11
  4. "A Child Is Coming" Kantner, Slick, David Crosby 6:15
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. "Blows Against the Empire"
  2. "Sunrise" Slick 1:54
  3. "Hijack" Kantner, Slick, Marty Balin, Gary Blackman 8:18
  4. "Home" Kantner, Phill Sawyer, Graham Nash 0:37
  5. "Have You Seen the Stars Tonite?" Kantner, Crosby 3:42
  6. "XM" Kantner, Sawyer, Jerry Garcia, Mickey Hart 1:22
  7. "Starship" Kantner, Slick, Balin, Blackman 7:07

PAUL KANTNER ( Jefferson Starship ) - Blows Against The Empire High Resolution & Quality Photos

Front Cover Photo Of PAUL KANTNER ( Jefferson Starship ) - Blows Against The Empire
Front Cover Photo Of PAUL KANTNER ( Jefferson Starship ) - Blows Against The Empire
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Photo of the inside cover PAUL KANTNER ( Jefferson Starship ) - Blows Against The Empire
Photo of album back cover PAUL KANTNER ( Jefferson Starship ) - Blows Against The Empire
Photo of the booklet included with PAUL KANTNER - Blows Against The Empire
Photo of the booklet included with PAUL KANTNER - Blows Against The Empire
Photo of the booklet included with PAUL KANTNER - Blows Against The Empire
Photo of the booklet included with PAUL KANTNER - Blows Against The Empire
Close up of the PAUL KANTNER ( Jefferson Starship ) - Blows Against The Empire record's label
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