Quicksilver Messenger Service (album)
Quicksilver Messenger Service is the debut studio album of Quicksilver Messenger Service, released in 1968.
| Quicksilver Messenger Service | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | May 1968 | |||
| Recorded | December 1967 | |||
| Genre | Psychedelic rock, acid rock | |||
| Length | 31:46 | |||
| Label | Capitol (US) | |||
| Producer | Nick Gravenites, Harvey Brooks, Pete Welding | |||
| Quicksilver Messenger Service chronology | ||||
| ||||
History edit
This was Quicksilver Messenger Service's first album, although they had already produced two songs for the soundtrack of the 1968 movie Revolution. Original singer/guitarist Jim Murray quit the group in August 1967 just prior to this album's recording and does not appear, as they adjusted to a four-man format. The album displays the group's jam sound amidst lighter pop-oriented songs. Unlike contemporaries such as the Grateful Dead, Quicksilver's jams were highly planned as can be heard by comparing the studio versions of songs with those from bootleg live performances. Gary Duncan and John Cipollina displayed innovative dueling lead guitars, which can be heard on extended jam tracks such as "Gold and Silver" and "The Fool".
"Pride Of Man", "Dino's Song", and "Gold And Silver" (in a shortened 3 minute version) had appeared regularly in the group's live setlists as far back as 1966, while the multi-sectional, quasi-symphonic psych epic "The Fool" had first been premiered for shows in May 1967 and gradually extended and polished into what is heard here. "Dino's Song" was written by Dino Valenti who was at that time in prison due to marijuana-related offenses; he would eventually rejoin the group at the start of 1970 and radically alter its sound. Many songs which had been regulars of the group's live show in 1966 and 1967, including "Long Distance Call", "Smokestack Lightnin'", "All Night Worker", "Suzie Q", "Got My Mojo Workin'", "Walkin' Blues" and "I Hear You Knocking" were passed over for recording while other popular early staples like their covers of "Mona" and "Who Do You Love" would be saved for the next release.
The album charted at #63 on Billboard upon release as the group continued to play shows across the country, with a specific preference for the Bay Area.
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic | [1] |
| Rolling Stone | (favorable)[2] |
| Sputnikmusic | [3] |
Track listing edit
Side one
- "Pride of Man" – 4:08 (Hamilton Camp)
- "Light Your Windows" – 2:38 (Gary Duncan, David Freiberg)
- "Dino's Song"[4] – 3:08 (Dino Valenti)
- "Gold and Silver" – 6:43 (Gary Duncan, Steve Schuster)
Side two
- "It's Been Too Long" – 3:01 (Ron Polte)
- "The Fool" – 12:07 (Gary Duncan, David Freiberg)
Personnel edit
- Quicksilver Messenger Service
- John Cipollina - lead guitar
- Gary Duncan - rhythm and lead guitar, vocals
- David Freiberg - bass guitar, vocals, viola
- Greg Elmore - drums
Charts edit
- Album
Billboard (United States)
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Pop Albums | 63 |
References edit
- ^ Unterberger, Richie. Quicksilver Messenger Service at AllMusic
- ^ Rolling Stone review
- ^ Sputnikmusic review
- ^ Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 42 - The Acid Test: Psychedelics and a sub-culture emerge in San Francisco. [Part 2]" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries.