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1971 studio album by Paul Kantner and Grace Slick From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sunfighter is a 1971 album created by Paul Kantner and Grace Slick from Jefferson Airplane. The album was released shortly after the Airplane album Bark was released, and is the second record released on the Airplane's own Grunt vanity label, distributed by RCA Records. The album features a picture of their baby daughter, China Wing Kantner, on the cover. Many Bay Area musicians perform on the album, including all of the then current lineup of Jefferson Airplane, members of the Grateful Dead, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, and the horn group, Tower of Power. This album is also the first time a 17-year old Craig Chaquico recorded with Paul Kantner and Grace Slick. He would go on to become the lead guitarist for Jefferson Starship.
Sunfighter | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | November 1971 | |||
Recorded | 1971 at Wally Heider Studios, San Francisco | |||
Genre | Rock Psychedelic rock | |||
Length | 41:48 | |||
Label | Grunt/RCA Records | |||
Producer | Paul Kantner Grace Slick | |||
Paul Kantner chronology | ||||
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Grace Slick chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Allmusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Christgau's Record Guide | C[2] |
The song "Sunfighter" is dedicated to Marty Balin, who had formed Jefferson Airplane with Kantner.[3]
Part 1 of the song "Diana" was written in response to the story of Diana Oughton and the Weathermen.[4] Part 2 is a response to the Ohio National Guard's mass shooting of students at Kent State University the previous year.
The song "Silver Spoon" concerns cannibalism. According to the liner notes, Grace Slick, now a vegan,[5] conceived of the song out of frustration with pressure from vegetarian neighbors in Bolinas, California, where she and Kantner had recently moved.
The song "China" is about their new daughter, China Kantner. Her picture is used on the cover of the album.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Silver Spoon" | Grace Slick | 5:40 |
2. | "Diana" | Paul Kantner, Slick | 0:52 |
3. | "Sunfighter" | Kantner | 3:50 |
4. | "Titanic" | Phill Sawyer | 2:25 |
5. | "Look at the Wood" | Slick, Kantner | 2:08 |
6. | "When I Was a Boy I Watched the Wolves" | Kantner, Slick | 4:59 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Million" | Kantner | 4:02 |
2. | "China" | Slick | 3:17 |
3. | "Earth Mother" | Jack Traylor | 3:16 |
4. | "Diana 2" | Kantner, Slick | 1:01 |
5. | "Universal Copernican Mumbles" | Pat Gleeson, John Vierra, Kantner | 2:03 |
6. | "Holding Together" | Slick, Kantner | 7:40 |
Chart (1972) | Peak position |
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Billboard Pop Albums | 89 |
Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] | 45 |