Customer Reviews

Quicksilver Messenger Service

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When people think of "the San Francisco sound" that emerged on the west coast during the psychedelia-drenched late sixties, the bands that first come to mind are The Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane, and rightly so. There were other terrific groups that played the Fillmore, Winterland, and the Avalon and Carousel Ballrooms back in those halcyon days (daze?) however, and one of the very best was the Quicksilver Messenger Service. Whereas the Dead and the Airplane's first studio recordings were clearly subpar, Quicksilver took its time and its initial album, released in the spring of 1968, showed that patience pays. Despite the typically mediocre Capitol Records sound quality, this album was and remains a classic of progressive rock music.

The album includes six compositions that the band played regularly during its glory years (roughly 1966-1969), and the performances, while lacking some of the exuberance of live renditions, are inspired and technically excellent. The musical virtuosity of each band member is exhibited (though missing is Greg Elmore's drum solo in "Gold and Silver"), and particularly satisfying is the interplay between the group's two fine guitarists, John Cipollina and Gary Duncan.

The highlight of this album (for me, anyway) has always been the group's uplifting masterpiece, "The Fool." I confess that I needed a few repeated hearings back of this anthem back in the live performance days to truly appreciate its laid-back virtuosity, but it truly is a composition that stands the test of time. No, David Freiberg was not a superstar vocalist, but he got the job done and his rendition of the summer-of-love vocals in this lengthy track certainly add to its charm.

So why four stars instead of five? My one gripe is that a work of this enduring quality deserves to be remastered to improve the sound quality. It should be mentioned that Jefferson Airplane's marvelous "After Bathing At Baxter's" has been remastered several times (they finally got it right), and I should think that Quicksilver's work deserves the same loving attention. How about it, Capitol?

The eponymous first album by Quicksilver Messenger Service promises a lot more than the band was able to live up to, not counting their second album, the half live/half studio acid masterpiece "Happy Trails". With a revolving personnel to rival The Byrds, perhaps consistency was beyond their grasp. Still, this is a magnificent debut, garnering terrific reviews in DownBeat magazine, the jazz-lover's bible! This album is a bit thin on songwriting, but that is not what this band was about. This was a jamming band, and arguably the only compelling one in San Francisco. Listen to the contemporaneous releases by their rivals, The Grateful Dead. The albums "The Grateful Dead" (1967) and "Live/Dead" (1969) can really test your patience. Quicksilver had not only the chops, particularly in the sinewy, slinky guitar styling of the late John Cipollina and underrated second guitarist (and main writer) Gary Duncan, but it knew how to keep an audience interested live. Apparently, the Dead didn't like to follow Quicksilver when it was in its prime. Songs like folk singer Hamilton Camp's "Pride of Man" is a standout, as is Duncan's lovely "Light Your Windows". The real meat of the album, especially for musicians are the two long instrumentals, "Gold and Silver" (kind of a "Take 5" for the acid crowd) and the giutar extravaganza "The Fool", which actually keeps you listening throughout its 12 minutes! Actually, if "Happy Trails" is indeed their classic contribution to rock history, this first album "Quicksilver Messenger Service" feels less dated and takes as many chances. Don't miss it.

This album was released in the spring of 1968, a year that produced a great deal of music that's now very hard to listen to. Even the Grateful Dead didn't hit their stride until the "Live/Dead" album of 1969. The Doors were in a slump, the Beatles were at each other's throats, and even the Rolling Stones wouldn't break their British Invasion mold and come into their own until the next year, with "Let It Bleed."

There's a gleeful sloppiness to this album. At this time, many garage bands were producing material of their own (remember the Strangeloves' "I Want Candy"?), but there's something different about Quicksilver Messenger Service. Though this sounds like a garage album, it's a garage album by a band of extraordinary talent and discipline.

From the opening notes of "Pride of Man," a grossly overlooked anti-war anthem that more peace advocates today should utilize, we're bowled over by the skill and quality of the band. In particular, the guitar majesty of the late John Cippollina leaves any number of current lesser imitators in the dust. The songwriting leaves something to be desired on most tracks, but Quicksilver Messenger Service was never a songwriters' band. They have the chops to cover shaky lyrics, and it's difficult to weary of listening to them.

In a day when studio tricks have washed out the human qualities of most rock bands, this album sounds like there's real human beings, playing in concert, right here. The very elements that make it dated make it desirable from a music lover's point of view. Not everyone will like it--ir represents values that have now gone out of date--but for those who appreciate solid playing and honest artistry in their rock, this is an album to be treasured.

The first, eponymous LP released in 1968 by Quicksilver Messenger Service remains one of the truly essential records that came out of the of the San Francisco psychedelic music scene.
Although already enjoying a huge reputation for their extended live improvisations, the band favours a more restrained approach here, with only "Gold and Silver" and "The Fool" clocking in at more than four minutes. The accent is put evenly on melodic content and instrumental guitar prowess.

This album can be considered as the best of their studio output. Apart from manager Ron Polte's "Too Long", which is pleasant but not outstanding, each track is a highlight! The cover of folksinger Hamilton Camp's "Pride of Man" is excellent with their hard rock folk structure; "Light Your Windows" is a fine original lazy, bluesy rock piece; Dino Valenti's "Dino's Song" proves very catchy, with quite poppy overtones; "Gold and Silver" is a fabulous and very rhythmic instrumental jam based on the wonderful Paul Desmond's composition titled "Take Five" (try to hear this piece played by the Dave Brubeck Quarter). Finally, the 12-minute "The Fool" is marked by the judicious use of improvised classical overtones, of controlled electronic feedback and of wah wah pedal.

The vocals are ably competent, rather than great. However, the twin guitars of John Cippolina and Gary Duncan, which keep on bringing out flashes of awesome sonic dreamscapes, more than compensate.
Although Cippolina's highly melodic, twangy, vibrato laden, individualistic lead guitar style dominates the proceedings, Gary Duncan should not be considered a second gun; his interest in Jazz as well as his guitar interplay with Cippolina were crucial to the Quicksilver sound as a whole.

This early CD reissue can be bought from Amazon at a very attractive price with only one caveat : the remastering is not very good and the sound suffers accordingly if you happen to use a good hi-fi rig. There is also no booklet to speak of: just one piece of paper. If you are addicted enough and want first rate sound, buy the Japanese Toshiba 2005 remaster, ASIN: B000AA7FG2 available from this site (at a price!). The latter comes in a cardboard mini-LP sleeve. You pays your money and you picks your choice. Enjoy!

From the opening siren sounds of Hamilton Camp's folk tune Pride of Man to the last, lyrical resonance of The Fool, these guys are filled with a magical, infectious,vigour, as if Aphrodite herself had sprinkled pixie dust upon them. You've got to remember that these guys are one of the few to introduce the concept of what used to be called "non-linear" music into rock and roll. I wish I could have been there at the Fillmore in the days when a battle of the bands would rage between Quicksilver, the Airplane, and the Dead, over who could blow the collective mind of the audience the most profoundly. Alas, those days are gone forever, but you can capture a sense of the flavor of that revelatory, apocalyptic time with this timeless Album. Also, be sure to check out Happy Trails.

I forgot how good it is. Infact unlike some old things revisited this music was even better than I remembered it to be. A friend had told me how difficult it had been to find this band's work. I was so pleased to see Amazon had listed it. It is classic rock at it's best and made this old guy feel 18. Far out!

Approximately 31 min. Remastered sound,no extra tracks. A lot has been written about this album and the group,so it's safe to assume that anyone with an interest in this group/album doesn't need any background. The sound of this Japanese pressing is much better than previous releases. The sound of each guitar is separate from each other,as are the bass and drums. The sound of Cippolina's guitar is even more immediate and stronger than in the past. The drums,which were buried somewhat,are still in the background but sound a bit cleaner. The same goes for the bass. While the rhythm section is good at what they do,they were never intended to be upfront-just hold everything together while Cippolina and Duncan trade riffs. This album hits you very squarely in the face with it's cleaned up sound and is even more of a good listening experience.

Having heard QMS a number of times in the late sixties I'm still amazed at their transformation in the studio. It was a bit apparent that they were never quite the same after hearing Mike Bloomfield and Nick Gravenites(who produced this album),along with bass player Harvey Brooks(also a producer)when they entered the studio. Live,on a good night,they were capable of rousing a crowd to near ecstacy with their legendary guitar duels. A lot of that was toned down when they went in to record these tracks. Of course the guitar "growls" are here in all their clarity,but one wonders if something that beginner guitarists learn very soon wasn't done under the heading of "lets light up one and make some groovy sounds".

The vocals,never all that strong,are heard in new clarity,which could be either good or bad,depending on your point of view. But bringing everything together,this is still a favorite-both for old time's sake and for the musicianship. If you like this album,I advise you to buy this remastered version-and relive some memories and marvel at such fine musical interplay.

Quicksilver Messenger Service deserve the title of 'The Most Overlooked Blues/Rock Band Ever'. In concert, no other band could hope to match their awe-inspiring jams. For starters, the thing about them that fascinated me the most was John Cipollina, who quickly became my all-time favorite lead guitarist. And he always will be.
Unfortunately, the only time Quicksilver REALLY blew your mind was when they played live. They never really captured their uncanny prowess on studio albums.
But that's not saying that this album is weak or anything - far from it. It's an awesome album. One of my all-time favorites. The scorching opener "Pride Of Man" is a devastating rocker with deeply profound, religious lyrics (it was originally written by Hamilton Camp). Freiberg gives a wonderful vocal delivery, and the chorus kicks maximum a** all the way.
"Light Your Windows" is also a great, gentle song, highlighted by some jazzy Cipollina leads at the end. And it's impossible to not get totally addicted to "Dino's Song" (contributed by Dino Valenti before his drug bust), one of the most catchy, irresistable tunes that I have ever heard. It's rock 'n roll euphoria.
The jazz guitar instrumental "Gold And Silver" is the only song on the album where Cipollina gives us a glimpse of his true potential, a potential that no other guitarist possessed. Some parts of it may be kind of trite, but when he decides to jam, he REALLY jams. In that respect, he reminds me a lot of Jeff Beck, in that he tends to doodle around for a while before he really starts wailing. Duncan provides some interesting licks too, but this is definitely John's show.
Next we have another excellent, upbeat rocker in "Too Long", with a glorious vocal melody and a great, feel-good atmosphere, just like "Dino's Song".
So that leaves "The Fool", a 12-minute experimental platform for dazzling guitars and marvelous lyrics (although I'm still not quite sure what those lyrics are about). Few other bands would dare to record an epic like this, and the dreary mood and overall complexity of the song are truly captivating.

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various music supplies and recordings from the 60's and 70's.

It didn't take long for the 1968 debut from Quicksilver Messenger Service to make an impact. The leadoff tune "Pride Of Man" (Written by Hamilton Camp in 1964) would become synonymous with David Freiberg. To this day he performs it as a member of the Jefferson Starship. "Light Your Windows" is beauty in motion. The words flow flawlessly and the only shortcoming is the length of the tune not reaching three minutes. Dino Valente's "Dino's Song" follows in all its brilliance. Dino was in jail at the time of the recording sessions. The artistry of the song is without a flaw. The vocals are delivered with conviction and the instrumentation has a sincerity attached. "Gold And Silver" (Instrumental) lets the guitars of John Cipollina and Gary Duncan take center stage. If the production sounds exceptional during the high-energy display, give thanks to Nick Gravenites (Electric Flag) and Harvey Brooks (Miles Davis and Electric Flag to name only a couple) behind the scenes. "It's Been Too Long" continues with terrific instrumentation and a solid vocal. To end a memorable debut the twelve minute "The Fool" lets you encompass the many facets of QMS. May 1968 forever etched in the minds of those in and around San Francisco.


Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

Quicksilver's debut manages to transcend its time more effectively than many of its contemporaries. Playing at this point in their career largely electric folk-influenced psychedelia ('It's Been Too Long'; 'Light Your Windows'; 'Pride Of Man'), the Messenger Service was also never afraid to experiment with a nudge and a wink: the instrumental 'Gold And Silver' takes Brubeck's 'Take Five' and electrically expands it. Every track here is a gem, and if Dino Valenti was unable to physically participate (he was, like, temporarily in jail), Duncan, Cippolina and the rest of the gang paid tribute in his 'Dino's Song'. And Television's Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd must have been listening very closely to 'The Fool' - - the band stretches out a bit and the guitar interplay between Cippolina and Duncan sounds suspiciously, and retroactively, familiar. Start here and go forward, it gets even better.