cktimes.ca Archives for Classic Vinyl


Classic Vinyl

With Allan Day

QUICKSILVER MESSENGER SERVICE

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Quicksilver Photo Quicksilver Photo '68 Quicksilver Happy Trails Album Cover My Original Bill Graham Fillmore Poster Metagenesis Poster

When I think of the San Franciso Music Sound that I listened to as a young teenager, along with The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Country Joe and the Fish---QUICKSILVER MESSENGER SERVICE sticks in my mind as the band that used all the country/blues/jazz and folk origins to the fullest in their music. A free flowing, extended jamming style on classics like: Who Do You Love---Fresh Air---Edward The Mad Shirt Grinder--Codine--California State Correctional Facility Blues---many many more---the sailing away feeling of getting lost in their lyrics and guitar solos, early use of feedback and all extended past the 3:00 barrier of the pop hits of the day. Their music makes me want to burn my incense, put on the lava lamp and strobe light, and groove.

I will give the cktimes readers a rundown of this great jamming band---QUICKSILVER MESSENGER SERVICE debuted near the end of 1965 and played around the San Francisco Bay Area and then the West Coast for nearly 2 years---they built up a huge following during that time---resisting record offers to record like other acid rock colleagues like Jefferson Airplane and The Grateful Dead---finally in 1967, they signed with Capitol and recorded their self-titled debut album in 1968. Band members around this time were: John Cipollina/lead guitarist, Gary Duncan/rhythm guitar, Jim Murray/singer, David Freiberg/bass/vocals and Greg Elmore/drummer---Jim Murray left at this time

The Happy Trails Album was their 1969 follow-up, recorded live---after it's release, guitarist Gary Duncan left the band and was replaced by British famed session pianist, Nicky Hopkins for the "Shady Grove" 1970 album--by the time of it's release, Duncan returned with Dino Valente/vocals making the band a sextet. This version of Quicksilver featuring Valente on lead vocals produced two albums--Just For Love and What About Me before they disbanded.

Edward The Mad Shirt Grinder is my all time favourite song that Quicksilver Messenger Service produced---Nicky Hopkins on piano just worked for me---my brother Steve (who had his grade 10 on piano) related to this song and we would also jam for hours on this tune (me on drums, Steve on keyboards) Nicky Hopkins GREAT MUSICIAN.

"Codine" a song by Buffy Sainte-Marie was a standard of sorts for many bands in San Francisco---The Charlatans had planned a grand vinyl debut with their version, but the group that was most closely associated with the tune locally was Quicksilver. It was the most riveting part of their act with Freiberg thrashing the tambourine as he recounted the harrowing tale of substance abuse---the tune personified the electricity of the San Francisco rock scene---their version was used in the soundtrack of the quasi-documentary "Revolution" and the band performed it live in the movie---this was the Quicksilver band in their first 2 years existence before they signed a record contract.

Cipollina, Freiberg and Hopkins left in 1971 leaving a trio of Valente, Duncan and Elmore, with hired replacements and cut another couple of albums before disbanding in 1973---there was a reunion in 1975 resulting in an album and a tour---then in 1986, Duncan revived the Quicksilver name for an album that featured Freiberg on background vocals.

Band Influences were Pink Floyd, Bo Diddley, Grateful Dead, Chuck Berry and The Beatles. Strong songs were Fresh Air, Pride of Man and Dino's Song and Strong albums were Quicksilver Messenger Service, Happy Trail and Anthology.

Here is one for the many readers of cktimes---can anyone help me out with some info on the group Metagenesis---( Poster is pictured in this weeks photos) I found it in my collection, what is obviously a tour poster---they probably played the college's, university scene in the 70's or 80's. I have never heard their music or can I find any information on them----let me know what you know of them, very much appreciated.

This weeks youtubes are of course Quicksilver Messenger Service "live at Montery Pop Festival 1967 "Dino's Song" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqVVnExlX9c "Fresh Air" live http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EacQEhrbBQ&feat...ure=related and my favourite, a visual of "Edward The Mad Shirt Grinder" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDHLoLQ01JQ and lastly a visual photo gallery to the music of QSM version of "Codine" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6vzaaXXsBE

Hope you enjoyed this weeks column and see you in 2 weeks---contact me at bluesslider88@yahoo.ca or at cktimes with any comments you would like to make about classic vinyl



Allan Day----long time acquaintance of John Gardiner----I presently live in Goderich Ontario, retired (oh yeah) and live for the sound of music, especially from the 60's music explosion---I hope you enjoy some of my articles and they bring back some lost memories of bands gone by. Now I have to let you know that I am a HUGE Rolling Stones fan, collector, historian and I hope to hear any stories you might have on this GREAT Band from the 60's----email me at CK Times and let me know what you have or memories you have of this group. I will include stories and short stories on The Stones each week.