I don't agree with either one of you - just for the record. There are many, me included, who felt that the true brilliance of this band was when they were live - and that the magic was somewhat lost in the studio. Depends on what you want out of your art but if you want the same thing over and over again every single time - then go with the recorded version. If you want something magical and new (again, my opinion, of course) then take your chances with the live show. Of course, it doesn't always work, but there are those times when lightning strikes. All of the most transcendent experiences I've had musically were at live concerts that brought me to my emotional knees.

And, too, think of it from the artist's perspective - if they can take a song and change it up to keep it fresh for them - instead of playing the same version hundreds of times, then both audience and performer benefit. Frankly, as much as I love the studio version of 'STL', I'd listen to this one over it first. I love the charge, the way Cassidy's bass ramrods the song, piles over a lyric, like a halfback flying over the top of the opposing lines at the goal line. And, to me, Grace was wildly creative, moreso in the moment of a live show in many cases.

And I have loved this entire album since the day I bought it in 1970 - after also buying all previous JA studio albums and loving them. Since then I have obtained numerous live JA shows from that era which I also treasure. I could go on but I won't. Sorry, brevity is not one of my strengths.

And, as always, I present these views as opinion, not fact, as it should be.

PS: Ultimately, I, too, felt that the Airplane lost their way. But it was a great ride for quite awhile. They had something. It was good to be alive in the '60's.