Jefferson Airplane – 2400 Fulton Street

I remember being in my early teens checking this out at the local library very often. Picked this up at a thrift store years ago and absolutely love it. One of those compilations that satisfy the fan and the curious newbie.

Oh for the days compilation albums were well thought out and the extra effort was made. Personally this is a special compilation for me because i heard it when i was very young and not only was it influential and made me understand a very complicated and varied band like Jefferson Airplane, it introduced me into so many other bands of similar styles. It covers pretty much their entire output and for that reason i wouldn't be surprised if at some point in the future it was re-issued. Hard to come by but well worth hunting down. Even the sequencing with its overlap and thematics feels just right. Essential, 5 stars.

If you are only looking for a single item by Jefferson Airplane (JA), 2400 Fulton Street is a good one to get. I have both "2400 Fulton Street" and Flight Log, and these two double-LP compilations have different virtues; one has greater depth, while the other has greater breadth. "2400 Fulton Street" is focused on JA proper, and goes deep into the group's catalog, including at least two selections from each of the first six JA studo albums. It includes all but three tracks from "Surrealistic Pillow," about half of "After Bathing At Baxter's," a single, and a live performance from Various - Woodstock - Music From The Original Soundtrack And More. I really enjoy this collection, and it provides a solid look at the first five years of JA's six-year recording career.

"Flight Log," in contrast, casts a wide net, including a dozen JA tracks, a couple of Jefferson Starship tracks, and a sampling of various solo projects and side projects. However, in order to get that much breadth, depth is sacrificed; no more than one or two tracks are included from any one album. The solo projects and side projects result in a less focused collection, attempting to cover ten years in the career of a group that didn't really last that long.

If you're interested in JA specifically, "2400 Fulton Street" is a significantly better collection. If you're also interested in what was going on around and after JA, "Flight Log" is a useful sampler.