Life is good -- founding member Paul Kantner remains in control of the Jefferson Starship. Longtime cohort David Freiberg is still around, as is guitarist Mark Aguilar. Cathy Richardson is now the lead female vocalist after starring in the off-Broadway production about Janis Joplin’s life. Richardson’s voice is powerful and pure but is closer to a Grace Slick sound than Joplin’s, which should come as no surprise. Even Marty Balin joins the Starship for a couple of tunes.

Jefferson’s Tree Of Liberty finds the Starship traveling in a new and unique musical direction. Succinctly put, this is a folk album. Songs such as “Pastures Of Plenty” by Woody Guthrie, “Chimes Of Freedom” by Bob Dylan, and “I Ain’t Marching Anymore” by Phil Ochs are all presented in classic vocal form. Kantner and The Jefferson Starship can’t quite escape their rock ‘n’ roll roots as the instrumental background veers from the classic folk formula. Think the Weavers in rock mode.

The first track sets the tone for most of the album. The old Weavers tune, “Wasn’t That A Time,” features the voices of Kantner, Freiberg, and Richardson. Richardson also provides a wonderful balance on most of the harmonies contained on the album. This old historical folk song is enhanced by the violin of San Francisco music scene veteran David LaFlamme.

Jefferson’s Tree Of Liberty is a virtual journey through folk history. The traditional “Follow The Drinking Gourd” is a metaphorical song of the underground railroad and features more harmonies by Kantner, Freiberg, and Richardson. The Phil Ochs protest song, “I Ain’t Marching Anymore,” features just Cathy Richardson’s voice accompanied by an acoustic guitar. It is interesting to hear a female sing this traditional male song. “Chimes Of Freedom” is the first Dylan song that the Jefferson Starship or Jefferson Airplane ever recorded. “Kisses Sweeter Than Wine” is the Weavers’ poignant love song. “Royal Canal” is an old Ian & Tyson tune about prison. Kantner strips the song to its basics and duets with Diana Mangano. Meanwhile, Woody Guthrie’s “Pastures Of Plenty” is presented here in a version loyal to the original (with the line “Come with the dust and gone with the wind”).

There are some other pleasant surprises contained on Jefferson’s Tree Of Liberty. David Freiberg shines on the old Dino Valenti/Quicksilver song, “Cowboy On The Run.” This gentle song of protest is resurrected with a modern sound. It’s nice to have Marty Balin back; he brings his clear voice to the only pure pop song on the album, “Maybe For You.” Richard Farina wrote “The Quiet Joys Of Brotherhood” shortly before his death, and here Darby Gould sings the song a capella.

Jefferson’s Tree Of Liberty is not only an excellent album, it was also unexpected. Maybe that is the best part of Paul Kantner and the Jefferson Starship’s latest release. The twists and the turns take the listener on a wonderful journey through a history of American folk music, and it is a journey well worth taking.

Rating: A

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