Jefferson Airplane Takes Off
by Jefferson Airplane

A very good debut album by the most famous Californian psych rock band. Although it is the only one without Grace Slick, Signe Anderson had a very similar voice to hers. Marty Balin did a great job on this album, both as a songwriter and as a singer, his voice is full of 'heart and soul'. Great bass work by Casady too.

Doesn’t reach the highs of their next four albums with Grace Slick (though Signe Anderson is fine) but a good record, nonetheless. “Blues From An Airplane” and the cover of “Tobacco Road” are terrific, and “Let Me In,” “Come Up The Years,” and “Let's Get Together” are good signs of things to come.

Not really awful, but has to have been a disappointment to the band.

Everybody went into the studio the first time hoping to come out with a Beatles quality album these years, and anybody that managed to be as good as Yardbirds filler was doing okay.

Still, for completists only. (Edited)

From CaptainPain 02/04/2026 08:35 | #312990 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Signy Anderson was in the band from 1965 to 1966, and the songs "Chaffeur Blues" and "Let's Get Together" were included in the band's debut album "Jefferson Airplane Takes Off" (1966). On October 15, 1966, after the band's concert with Signy, the band's founder Marty Balin announced her departure from the band. The reason for Anderson's departure was the birth of her daughter. Later, Signy Anderson sang for 9 years in the band Carl Smith and the Natural Gas Company, and her vocal career finally ended in 1997.On the same day as Signy Anderson, vocalist and guitarist Paul Kantner, her bandmate Jefferson Airplane, passed away. In their blogs, the musicians from Jefferson Airplane expressed regret for Signy's death.
"May the angels sing over you, sister. You are always alive in my heart," JA guitarist Jorma Kaukonen wrote on his page.
He expressed his condolences to the family of Paul Kantner and Signy Anderson and the founder of the band Marty Balin. (Edited)

A solid debut from the Airplane - like the title, it Takes Off! Nice time capsule back to the era and totally reflective of the group's signature sound.

I felt they underutilized the powerful voice of Signe Toly Anderson in this album - her appearances are too few and far between, as she really shines in the spotlight. They wouldn't make the same mistake with Grace Slick!