MonsterSounds Entertainment, MSE-1017, 1996.
Produced by Harvey Robert Kubernik. 2 CDs.
Paul Kantner talks (for 2.5 hours!) on his life and musical career, focusing on his time with Jefferson Airplane. He talks about his artistic influences, his musical education, and the people he's worked, lived and played music with. Lots of details on the studio process, writing (and stealing), and the personalities in San Francisco in those halcyon days of the mid-sixties. There's just a little on post-1972 events. Paul does talk about lots of projects he has in the pipeline (two novels, the Women Singers' project, etc.).There's little gossip here, and no dirt (rats!). Kantner didn't have any axes to grind, and doesn't seem to have a bad word for anyone, not even Matthew "Cates" Katz.
It's a great recording for any Airplane fan, and a fantastic resource for any student of that time and place. Of course, if you find Paul Kantner and/or his opinions annoying, you might want to avoid these CDs. There's also a healthy dose of Kantner's provincialism - San Francisco is the center of his universe. I spent a day there about 10 years ago, and my superficial impression was that of a yuppie theme park, as opposed to New Athens at the edge of civilization.
The only music on this set is "Which Side are You On?" , with Tim Gorman and Darby Gould. It's a good recording of great song (whether you believe the Sandinista's supporters won't get fooled again or not). Easily beats the new stuff as presented on Deep Space - Virgin Sky, and provides some hope for the upcoming studio release.
Some of the content is Paul reading some previously published comments, but that's just a small percentage of the total. He also reads a selection (about hidden lyrics and bible preachers) from his Nicaraguan journal. The 12cm x 12cm booklet is unremarkable - these photos (all B&W) are supposed to be unreleased, but I've seen some before - and they're not particularly interesting, anyway. The text is more or less a book report on the contents of the CD.