Bark (album) - Recording History

Recording History

Recording for the album began in late 1970. The band at the time consisted of Marty Balin, Paul Kantner, Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady, Grace Slick, and Joey Covington. Planned tracks included live versions of "Mexico" and "Have You Seen the Saucers?", Balin's "You Wear Your Dresses Too Short" and "Emergency", and Joey Covington's "Bludgeon of a Bluecoat." A tour of the US continued through the end of 1970 with Papa John Creach joining the band on the day of Janis Joplin's death. Balin did not play the October 5th date, but continued with the tour. He was growing increasingly frustrated with the band's drug use, and "playing that messed up cocained music." Jefferson Airplane stopped touring at the end of 1970 as Grace Slick and Paul Kantner were about to have a child. China Kantner was born January, 1971 and no more tour dates were scheduled although Hot Tuna continued playing the Fillmore East and Fillmore West in early 1971, and recorded a live album in March, First Pull Up, Then Pull Down. Recording sessions continued on in 1971, but Balin finally left the band in April. The band later admitted that they didn't really know what direction to go in without Balin, and new material was composed and the Balin tracks were thrown out. The recording sessions finally concluded at the beginning of July, featuring a five-member band and Papa John on a few tracks. One of the Balin tracks from this period, "Up or Down" was later released on Early Flight, along with the studio versions of "Mexico" and "Have You Seen the Saucers".