In the musically fertile San Francisco period of the remaining years of the ‘60s, namely the Summer of Love phenomena, there came Quicksilver Messenger Service.  Their brand of what would eventually become referred to as Psychedelic Rock was musically sharp, effective, and fun to listen to.  While they own a legendary status by name and reference, they never really acquired the status that their contemporaries of the time did.  Jefferson Airplane (a band that Quicksilver bassist, David Frieberg, eventually joined), Steve Miller, Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, and other noted Summer of Love alumni were the music power brokers of that timeframe.  Quicksilver Messenger Service signed with Capitol Records and released a selection of records before abrupt changes would dissolve the Quicksilver band into historic notes.

But not before Quicksilver Messenger Service released their brand of music into the airwaves.  With a recognizable late ‘60s sound, there is no mistaking the timeframe of the band.  They recorded and released their self-titled debut Capitol album in 1968.  “Light Your Windows” is a short but wonderful song with bluesy leads, following the opener track, the folksy and excellent “Pride of Man.”  “Dino’s Song” (written by one who was unavailable to join the band due to incarceration on a drug issue) is the song that does the band proud because of its accessible music.  The album adds the jam-tight, 12-minute “The Fool” to close the album.  With six songs clocking in at a little over a half-hour, it leaves you feeling thirsty for more yet happy to have been there.

They returned with Happy Trails, a live set recorded at the legendary Fillmore theatre,  East and West in late 1968.  The album opens with a grand version of a Bo Diddley classic, “Who Do You Love” that is stitched with four QMS-penned add-in instrumentals, finishing up with a run back into the original cover.  This took up the entire first side of the original LP and is a wonderful ‘60s jam piece.  The remaining four songs are superbly put together here, which leaves you wondering why such a band would not garner the same attention as their peers.  Happy Trails ends with a short but campfire-happy version of Dale Evans’ “Happy Trails.”  It ended up being a sunset piece for the band as original member, Gary Duncan would depart with Nicky Hopkins (future piano sessions man extraordinaire) arriving.

In 1969, QMS released Shady Grove, which is perhaps not their strongest effort but certainly not one to be shrugged off.  The overall feel of this band was different at this point but times were changing leading into the ‘70s.  I feel that Shady Grove moved forward well enough, particularly with the piano of Hopkins a force in the recordings.  Having played with the Rolling Stones, it is clear how QMS would move in directions that Hopkins might lead.  Certainly, the Hopkins-penned epic, “Edward, (The Mad Shirt Grinder)” was an excellent extended song at 9+ minutes.

The following two Capitol albums with original albeit expanded membership were both released in 1970.  Just for Love was followed by What About Me.  Both albums are noted for having Dino Valenti finally in the lineup and Gary Duncan back into the fold.  Both are something different than what one would expect from a QMS album.  One of the standout tunes on Just for Love is Cipollina’s instrumental, “Cobra.”  Interestingly, the opener song on What About Me, “What About Me,” is an ecological plea for the world that we have begun to hear by this time from several astute lyricists and bands.  But again, it is a lone Cipollina tune, “Local Color” that owns the album.  It is followed by Freiberg’s “Won’t Kill Me,” and Hopkins’ instrumental “Spindrifter.” Those mentioned tracks hint at the best years of the band that was Quicksilver Messenger Service.  There would be more albums to follow but the best years of the band were in these releases.  Listened to consecutively, one can follow the evolution of QMS.

I, for one, miss the band.

All of these Japanese Mini-LP replications follow the original LP release perfectly.  If the album was a gatefold, as Shady Grove, Just for Love, and What About Me are, then it is the same on these reissues.  The plastic that they’re protected by is a sturdy poly-cover with a sealing strip and comes with a Japanese language spine cover.  Each album comes with a folded Japanese lyric sheet with English-language reproductions included.

These discs were re-mastered in 2005 by K Bartley at Capitol Mastering.  Quicksilver Messenger Service never received their true due.  Thankfully, they’re remembered for their contributions even if only as a side note.  But they did leave behind some excellent albums and a handful of fans who will be pleased to acquire these Japanese produced Mini-LP styled CD replicas of a by-gone era.  Legacy is intact.