craigtheairplaneman
New-Born Writer
Registered:
12-2006
Posts:
2
Helpfulness-Gauge
0 (+0/-0)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
New Jefferson Airplane book w/93 photos, 32 interviews, 543 pages, and
Hi all and happy holiday season:
I wanted to be able to please introduce myself. The book I have written on the Jefferson Airplane is out and information is below.
Thank you so much and be well,
Craig The Airplaneman
www.takemetoacircustent.net
“Craig Fenton knows so much about the Jefferson Airplane and family, I was asking him the questions.” Marty Balin-July 2006.
“Craig, since you are such a fan of the 60’s music I’m giving you this piece of information first.” Jerry Miller-Moby Grape.
“Your brain is all full of amazing Airplane facts.” Kenny Aronoff-Airplane Drummer 1989.
“As a real fan and one so knowledgeable, you’ll enjoy this story.” Sammy Piazza-Hot Tuna drummer. (Before giving me his exclusive remembrance of a J.A. recording).
93 Photos (Starting from 1963) including many never in print before, and possibly the 2 rarest Airplane pictures ever, one with Bob Harvey & Jerry Peloquin in the band from 1965 and the other an autographed photo from early 1966 with Skip Spence, Paul signs his name “Paul Airplane.” 266 Questions & Answers are examined from the Airplane & Family. These are not the same old of the same old! 121 live shows are documented with complete and accurate information. All the obscure songs and jams finally have titles. All special guests are mentioned and the first and last time the song is performed is noted. 60 unreleased gems from the studio vaults are explored, including the 1965 Columbia (That is correct) demo with Bob Harvey!
Interviews for “Take Me To A Circus Tent”
Slick Aguilar (KBC, Jefferson Starship & Wooden Ships)
Peter Albin (Big Brother & The Holding Company, remembers Spencer Dryden & Janis Joplin)
Signe Anderson (Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship)
Kenny Aronoff (1989 Jefferson Airplane drummer)
Don Aters (Famous rock and roll photographer, remembers Chet Helms)
Marty Balin (Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, & KBC)
John Barbata (Jefferson Airplane & Jefferson Starship)
Jesse Barish (Wrote St. Charles & Count On Me for the Jefferson Starship, Hearts, and Atlanta Lady for Marty Balin)
Nick Buck (Hot Tuna & SVT)
Craig Chaquico (Steelwind & Jefferson Starship)
Tom Constanten (Grateful Dead & appearances sitting in with the
Jefferson Starship)
Joey Covington (Hot Tuna & Jefferson Airplane)
Michael Falzarano (Hot Tuna)
Barry Flast (Jefferson Starship)
David Freiberg (Jefferson Airplane & Jefferson Starship)
Darby Gould (Jefferson Starship)
Greg Douglass (Hot Tuna)
Tim Gorman (KBC, Wooden Ships, Jefferson Airplane 1989 reunion & Jefferson Starship)
Bob Harvey (Original Jefferson Airplane bass-player)
Paul Kantner (Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, KBC, &
Wooden Ships)
Peter Kaukonen Hot Tuna, Jefferson Starship,
Jefferson Airplane 1989 reunion
(Gives a wonderful tribute to his parents)
Diana Mangano (Jefferson Starship)
Dennis McNally (Grateful Dead Publicist, and author)
Remembers those members of the Grateful Dead we have lost
Jerry Miller (Moby Grape, remembers Skip Spence & talks about
Moby Grape)
Jerry Peloquin (Original Jefferson Airplane drummer)
Sammy Piazza (Hot Tuna)
Pete Sears (Jefferson Starship & Hot Tuna)
Darby Slick (Great Society w/Grace Slick)
Jerry Slick (Great Society w/Grace Slick)
Mike Somavilla (Quicksilver Messenger Service historian,
organized the Spencer Dryden Benefit,
and is responsible for many Bay Area musicians
releasing archival material)
Bob Steeler (Hot Tuna)
Jack Traylor (Steelwind with David Freiberg, and Craig Chaquico,
songwriting and session work for Paul Kantner and Grace Slick)
Peter van Gelder (Great Society w/Grace Slick)
There was a female vocalist that tried out prior to Signe Anderson getting the job? The person that brought the vocalist for the audition would be part of a major band, and work with a legendary lead vocalist.
A Jefferson Starship member wrote a song for Janis Joplin. Why did it take so long to be released?
Would it surprise you that Paul McCartney was not the first to use the cool name Wings as a band? A Jefferson Airplane member had used it years prior to Paul's great solo work.
What about two Jefferson Airplane members playing together for the first time in 37 years, and why there is not a recording of it!
How did Diana Mangano record one song for the Great Society in 2002 and they weren't even in the studio for it?
Did you know that a Jefferson Airplane member played briefly with Paul Simon's brother?
What song did Hot Tuna perform for over 40 minutes?
Which Jefferson Airplane member was asked to be part of Steve Miller’s band in 1970?
Which two non Jefferson Airplane drummers are uncredited for their appearance on the studio version of Feel So Good?
Which Hot Tuna member was asked to be an original member of ZZ Top?
Which song performed by Grace Slick and the Great Society did The Jefferson Airplane decide not to record?
Which one time Jefferson Airplane member was asked about coming back to the band circa 1967-1968?
Which Hot Tuna member almost became part of Fleetwood Mac in the mid-seventies?
Which songs have all been performed by the Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, and Hot Tuna?
When did Signe Anderson and Spencer Dryden play together?
Besides playing the entire album live what were the other twenty-seven songs the KBC performed on stage.
Which J.A. member did Skip Spence reunite with 31 years later?
What Jefferson Starship song did the Jefferson Airplane rehearse for the 1989 reunion tour and not perform?
Which drummer was waiting in the wings in case Spencer Dryden wasn’t well enough to perform at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame?
What songs did Signe Anderson and Skip Spence play in 1965 at Skips’ home and which Rolling Stones masterpiece was covered?
What song did both Paul Kantner’s Wooden Ships and Emerson, Lake & Palmer both perform as an encore?
Marty Balin: “One night Jorma, Jack, and a great player from England named Graham Bond (Played with Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker, before they went on to Cream) are jamming in the studio. Joey Covington and I are sitting around. Joey suggests we go see an old violin-player in Los Angeles. This old guy plays Somewhere Over The Rainbow; it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. So then we take him back to the studio. I insisted that he play with Jorma, Jack, and Grand Bond. (If only that tape circulated). He was funny. He told us all the time you guys are too loud. He couldn’t stand the volume, none of us could. He was great, what an experience playing with him. One time I had a friend staying over the house from R.C.A. Records. He was showing me stride piano (Mostly a jazz technique, that was invented in Harlem, New York City in 1919). One day Papa John comes over and brings Eubie Blake (A ragtime piano legend) along. He had to be in his ninety’s at the time (He lived to one hundred). Eubie starts to play the piano. Papa John had his fiddle. All day they are playing. Eubie would tell Papa John to slow down son.”
Reviews:
The ultimate Airplane book for the ultimate band!
Reviewed by: Jeff R. Son (11/23/2006)
Take Me To A Circus Tent: A review by Jeff R. Son The 22nd of November, 2006 Writing letters or reviews isn’t something that is common for me, however in getting to read a sneak-peak of Mr. Fenton’s masterpiece I would be depriving Airplane fans of a must read. Authors often times seem to write what is hot, hip, or what the publisher tells them is the flavor of the month. Mr. Fenton’s words are from the heart. I have never seen any Airplane fan with this much knowledge and the ability to share it as if it is a long time friend talking to you. You can see how fan friendly he is by the attention to every detail. If you enjoy photos he gave over 90 and there are pictures that are so rare I bet the band members don’t even own them. If your bag is the music, the look at the 121 live performances and 60 unreleased songs/jams/tid-bits from the vaults could grow hair on a bald person. He left no stone unturned. References to riffs that were played for only a matter of seconds, song titles that before were never mentioned. He could have stopped there and taken a bow but there are 266 questions and answers that look not only at the Airplane but Hot Tuna, Jefferson Starship, KBC Band, & Wooden Ships. The information is a treasure chest. To top off the most exquisite meal Mr. Fenton finishes the book with 32 interviews. What he did was always make the most use out of the time afforded for the conversation. You can tell he didn’t even need notes to conduct the interviews, because often times the musicians asked him stuff! If seeing a photo of David Freiberg as a folk performer from 63 or a concert bill (1964) with original bass-player Bob Harvey, or a group photo without Jorma doesn’t excite you, simply turn to the interviews with Marty, Paul and even Signe Anderson. If that doesn’t get your attention why not look at the first and last time a song was ever performed by the band, or find out the history of the group through the eyes of the people that were there. If you are looking for a holiday gift for a friend, co-worker or family member you have found it. If you are like me and often get the worst holiday presents that will set under a bed or get returned, treat yourself to what is under the circus tent. I’ll go now because I want to look at some of the amazing photos of Grace from the Great Society days and alternate covers to the 2nd record.
It is the one-stop Airplane book of greatness
Reviewed by: Rod Evans (11/29/2006)
On an early November morning (11/28/06) the Airplane Express delivered Craig’s new book. My wife told me that I hadn’t been this excited about anything since her mom moved out of the house. Others have written books on the San Francisco bands, but Craig has created an “Encyclopedia.” I first went through the book for the photos. What an experience! To see so many pictures not in print before was enough to make the book worth double the price; however it didn’t stop there. I couldn’t believe the detail he went through to explain the terminology in the book and to make reading it for the Jefferson Family fan the most pleasurable experience possible. The interviews are done with such skill that I would match Craig’s ability to make the person he is talking with comfortable against any I have come across in my years as a rock and roll fan. Not only the comfort level, but also the ability to bring out such detail with all the musicians he spoke with. It wasn’t the same things that we read about since the 60’s. The story of one person attempting to get Janis Joplin to sing one of his songs really was a soap-opera. The question and answer portion will give new facts to the most hardcore individual. The information that Craig knows takes a back seat to nobody when it comes to the Airplane. Reading about the stuff Marty did with Bodacious D.F. and why they have that name as well as Jorma’s early works and Bob Harvey’s promo CD info was icing on the best tasting cake ever. For the holiday season think 1 gift first “Take Me To A Circus Tent.” There is something in the book, sorry the ENCYCLOPEDIA for all.
**********************************************************************************
WHAT A FANTASTIC BOOK! BW from the Jefferson Starship Board:
It's a large soft-bound book that is easy to hold and flip the individual pages. You can lay it down and both pages lay flat. You don't have to bend the binding.
The paper is a bright clean white, with the type style dark enough so it's easy to read. Jam packed with information, but the book "breathes." A ton of information spread out on 537 pages, but it is not "cramped."
You can easily open to any page and start reading. It reads like a novel, really. I have the book laid out on the bed behind me. I'm able to turn around in the chair and easily read it, from 2-3 feet away.
Really nice pictures of Everyone. Just noticing some nice pictures of Darby and Paul. He gets all the girls! This book goes way beyond just the Jefferson trip. It describes the scene, and anyone who was involved with the Jefferson’s in any way.
Here's Craig asking Tim Gorman some questions, about him joining the Rolling Stones, no less! A lot a fact, a little bit of gossip, and one big juicy read!
Can't wait to get started!
BW
**************************************************************************************************
To all Jefferson fans: Craig's book is 6 stars not 5!
I am always worried when there is hype to a book or CD. Would it live up to advanced billing?
Craig's "Take Me To A Circus Tent" goes beyond anything I have seen. He is always making the musician feel comfortable. Several ask Craig to send them their own music! The insights and knowledge that he shows is impressive; however more impressive is how he is happy to give so much credit to others.
There are so many things that haven't previously been brought up in interviews. If you take the total length of Craig's conversation with Marty I bet it is as long as any interview Marty has done in or out of the Jefferson Airplane/Starship.
The pictures are a sight to admire. Don Aters is as good as anybody snapping a photo.
Craig has made sure the book is all meat and no filler. There is a logical layout to each segment. I knew the book would be something special when I looked at the index. He supplied more names than several books combined.
The amount of time he must have labored to get the obscure song titles proved this isn't an author doing it for the publisher, it is a fan doing it for us guys and girls.
Craig even went as far to get all the names of the players on the Great Society reunion, and the 1964 concert Bill that has Bob Harvey, Jorma and Paul playing at the same venue but on different dates was the best job of dropping in "What is to come" that I have seen."
I first thumbed through the genius for the pictures. Signe was so cute and innocent and the entire journey made me feel young again. Once I looked at the photos and digested over 90 of them, I went to the interview section. I was blown away with Craig's style and he is really funny. Read what he says to Jesse Barish when Jesse asked him for a video of a specific tune. I was on the floor.
I am now going over the Question & Answer segment again because I want to gain the full impact.
The San Francisco scene has never seen a book that has flown as high.
Thank you Craig and I hope you have the opportunity to get the full credit via TV/Radio and the printed word.
6 Stars and a must for any Holiday!!
From Wood N. Ships
********************************************************************************************
To all fans: 5 stars are not enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Finished Craig's book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" this morning. It deserves a label above Gold Medal Winner.
The research must have taken countless hours but the love of the band is a lifetime.
The question and answer portion has something that a fan of one day or a decade could really sink their teeth into. The greatest stuff is uncovered. When you get to the interviews it will be impossible to not read straight through.
The pictures blow away anything prior because Craig gave us not only the most (I believe 90 or so) but countless not in print before. The photo that Tim Lucas supplied is worth the price of the book and when you have pictures from 1963 on, I don't need to go further.
The live and studio segments finally put the right information together and the titles that I always wondered why they didn't have names before.
The way Craig documented the entire 89 reunion or some of Marty's material was as if he were in the band.
If we can give Craig a hand, we should. He did it the best way and did it without treading on any other author's Airplane or Jefferson Starship books prior.
Craig you are a Gold Medal writer in a world of plastic.
Buy the book and spread the word, the Airplane Man has landed.
**********************************************************
Airplane Man reached the stars, 5 that is
Reviewed by: Sam Rotis (12/7/2006) *****
There have been only a handful of rock and roll books that I couldn't put down over the years. Craig Fenton's Take Me To A Circus Tent is the latest and best. It is an empire created with not only the mind and hands but with the heart. His fondness for the Airplane and spin-offs is easy to see from the start of the book. The layout is wonderful. Each chapter not only takes you on a flight to a specific year but is named after a part of a song that fits the theme. When you are done with the live and studio information the questions and answers and interview sections are something you can marvel at. Look how the questions aren't the same 5 day old bread that have always been recycled. When it is time for the interviews I have never seen anyone do it better than Craig. It is one thing to be prepared, to be a fan, but Craig is so full of information it is great when the musicians ask if they did something or if he would send them the rarity. The Marty Balin interview is a Rolls Royce, the info from Signe was wonderful and getting the insight from 3 former Great Society members was a treat I never thought would happen. Not only the interviews but the photos of the band and the studio/live history. There are pictures in the book that are so special for their rare nature and beauty that I ask all you fine people to turn the pages slowly and soak in every second of the sunshine. It shines with a light of brilliance. I really respect that Craig didn't forget about the Signe period. Although Grace is my favorite singer ever, Craig tells a nice story of the early days with some photos that you'll love and the info about a few of the live dates, recording sessions, etc. Get 2 copies of the book. One for yourself and one for the old Airplane fan that you may not see hanging around the Jefferson Airplane or Jefferson starship boards but who still longs for the day when rock and roll was played with skill and lyrics were memorable. Craig you are really the Airplane Man and I hope the book Takes Off and all dreams are realized. Buy the book, buy the book and buy the book.
************************************************************************************
5 STARS *****
Wednesday the Airplane book by Craig Fenton called Take Me To A Circus Tent came and it is the most detailed book I have ever read about any American music band. Why? The details excel not in 1 portion of the book but all that Craig used to construct. He points out for the live portion even if a riff of a song got played, the studio unreleased portion opens the door to the massive music hiding from us all these years, the photos out number any music book you can think of and the interviews don't waste time with why somebody doesn't date their high school sweetheart anymore. The information Craig gets out of the different people is an A+.
Many have talked about the great Marty Balin interview and Signe and Paul but his conversation with Craig Chaquico is a tribute to Fenton's wide knowledge of the artists history. One moment Craig talks about a great tune on Dragonfly and then is able to converse with Mr. Chaquico about the solo albums went he changed styles 360 degrees. The Bob Harvey and Jerry Peloquin transcripts are really super and you'll dig the Tom Constanten conversation with excellent questions about his days after playing with Jerry and the guys.
I was going to look up great big words but it is better I used the simple language and tell you this is 5 stars in every avenue it travels.
A great gift for yourself and friends.
To Craig thanks for giving me a reason to miss going to my loud and off the wall sister-in-law's house. I told the wife that I was doing a book review. Craig I owe you a 50.00 steak for getting me out of seeing her run her mouth every second for no reason.
***********************************************************************************
5 STARS- Takes You to new Heights!
This was the best gift I have given myself. All the reviews thus far don’t even touch the surface of what Craig’s “Take Me To A Circus Tent” is all about.
When you get the book you can see how articulate Craig is when he talks about the intro of the book and the page before the interviews begin. What sets him apart from so many other writers is his ability to write as if it is for one person. He talks as if he is hanging out with you.
The information he gets from the performers is outstanding. For Craig to get Tim Gorman to talk about how Keith Moon of the Who was really replaced shows that it doesn’t matter if it is Airplane, Beatles, Stones, Who or the band down the block, he is a magician with information and a passion I have never come across for 60’s and 70’s rock and roll music.
The interviews with the Airplane members are superlative but check out the conversation Craig has with Greg Douglass formerly of Hot Tuna and Jerry Miller of Moby Grape.
I recommend three copies of the book. One to read, one to keep as a part of San Francisco history and one to give to somebody that is important to you.
Craig, you are the Airplaneman, Hot Tunaman, KBC, etc.
Thank you again and again and again.
Thanks to Don Aters, Rick Martin and Mike Somavilla and all the fine Airplane fans for making it all possible!
|
|
Dec/22/2006, 4:42 pm
|
|
craigtheairplaneman
New-Born Writer
Registered:
12-2006
Posts:
2
Helpfulness-Gauge
0 (+0/-0)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
…Thank you Kev
Hi Kev:
Thank you for offerin gto spreadthe word on my Jefferson Airplane book, "Take Me To A Circus Tent."
Have a great Wednesday,
CF
|
|
Feb/7/2007, 3:11 am
|
|
Powered by AkBBS 0.9.5b - Link to us
- Blogs
- Hall of Honour
- Chat
Click here to get your own free message board
|
****Copyright 2004-2007****
All stories, articles, pictures and posts on this site are the copyright of the author (unless stated otherwise). If you wish to reuse any material that falls under the aforementioned categories, and reuse away from the forum/website, please seek written permission from the author beforehand. By agreeing to post your stories, articles, pictures and general writings on this forum, you agree that FWU Forum can showcase your stories, poems, articles, pictures and posts on its website/forum indefinitely.
|
|
