Quicksilver Messenger Service - Quicksilver Messenger Service FLAC download

If you were there when the psychedelic electric haze settled over San Francisco during the Summer of Love, and managed to catch Quicksilver Messenger Service, who were playing just about everywhere, then you instantly recognized the difference between what you heard during those heady nights, and what’s laid down here. Quicksilver Messenger Service was one of the most beloved bands form the mid 60’s, where at their best they conveyed bluesy flights of fancy, spurred on by the guitar interplay of John Cipollina and Gary Duncan.Tracking in a a mere thirty-two minutes, which was pretty standard for the day, where the band lays down six numbers of original and cover material, with some of their covers being so original that they outshine their forerunners. Such is the case with the wholly unexpected “Pride Of Man,” a Hamilton Camp number, where the group creates a flawless atmosphere of re-interpretation . That being said, this is a difficult album to review, as Quicksilver Messenger Service turned on their heels just prior to, or perhaps while recording this album, as they’d been smitten by the delivery and instrumentation of Mike Bloomfield and the Electric Flag who’d just arrived on the scene and were creating waves that were tough to avoid. Regardless, even with this infatuation, Quicksilver play strongly and present their material well. Sonically, these influences come off as mere influences, though having personally heard Quicksilver prior to this change, it would have been more than interesting to hear what they would have done with this material had they not been so taken with Bloomfield at this critical juncture. Of course the other side of that coin would be to consider what songs they might have penned or chosen to cover had things been completely within their realm. Perhaps it was inevitable that Quicksilver should have absorbed these influences, though I for one, wish they’d found a way of allowing them to sound less evident.With most people knowing Quicksilver from their inspirational spirited freeform effortlessly flowing live album Happy Trails, it’s rather stark to hear this album, made up of music that comes off well, though will a strong sense of controlled orchestration, lacking that easygoing effortless vibe of Happy Trails that lives within the souls of everyone from those mystic nights. Yes, this album is good, and very much in and of its time, though again, the band does not sound as if they’re sitting comfortably, almost as if they’re trying to force themselves into a mold, attempting to be a band that that are not … especially since the world already had one Electric Flag who were doing what they do with grace and ease.There were other aspects that came into play, with no doubt the most important being that Dino Valenti [“Dino’s Song” and most famous for penning the song “Get Together” by the Youngbloods] was in jail during this recording for marijuana and amphetamines. So perhaps Valenti getting his ideas out of prison, to a bunch of stoners, was like the child’s game of ‘Whispering Down the Lane,’ leaving the album to feel rather unfinished and unpolished.All this aside, the acid fueled Quicksilver Messenger Service were not all about the psychedelic halo, they comfortably embrace a leaning for the country rock format, and incorporated some homespun blues into the background as well, along with a smattering of samba grooves [which would be made famous by Santana]. Of course this leaves me right back where I began, saying that this is a rather difficult album to review … so you're gonna have to listen for yourself, something I highly recommend, as it's the final song "The Fool," that shimmers, creating that psychedelic atmosphere filled with effects, reverb, and lightly drenched with intoxication, though merely hinting at where the band will venture on Happy Trails.Review by Jenell Kesler

Сейчас и здесь этот сказочный психоделический рок альбом. Открывашка "Гордость парня" самая великая кавер-версия, которые я когда-либо слышал. В альбоме только шесть песен, но две из них довольно длинные. "Золото и серебро" оставляет неизгладимое впечатление от удивительной игры на барабанах Грега Элмора. Эту песню иногда называют первой джаз-рок песней за всю историю. Композиция "Дурак" - конечная часть и кульминация этой записи. Просто невероятно, психоделия в чистом виде, по моему мнению. Остальные песни довольно короткие, но очень эффектные. "Песня Дино" была написана одним из членов-учредителей этой банды Дино Валенти. Он не играет на этом альбоме вообще, по причине тюремного заключения из-за преступлений с марихуаной.В группе два великих гитариста, легендарный Джон Сиполлина (или Чиполлина, если читать по-итальянски) и Гэри Дункан не менее искусный. Альбом - впечатляющая демонстрация виртуозности.Quicksilver Messenger Service были очень популярны в конце 60-х, и особенно их любили хиппи. И это не удивительно, музыка действительно очень высокого качества. Если вы любите хоть чуть-чуть психоделик–рок конца 60-х, то эта группа, безусловно, которую стоит попробовать. A true must-have! 23 место в Тор-1000 USA.(http://ugreshm.blogspot.ru/2014/11/quicksilver-messenger-service.html)

Can anyone tell me which of the 3 'rainbow' variations is considered the first press? Or, are they all 3 first pressings from different regions?

You would have to provide links to the ones you speak of as there are some 1980's Capitol reissues which sport the rainbow label.