This 11-track collection drawn from Quicksilver Messenger Service's run at Capitol Records in the late '60s and early '70s has been released several times before, and it's a somewhat disappointing disc for all the reasons that the band itself was somewhat disappointing. Originally formed as a vehicle for Dino Valenti, who in all truth was an erratic songwriter and singer, the band really was at its best live, when it could stretch out into long, Grateful Dead-like jams led by the sweet guitar playing of John Cipollina, and later, the keyboard artistry of Nicky Hopkins. In the studio, however, Quicksilver never really gelled, and their albums frequently withered for the lack of good songs. This set has a couple of gems, like the Hopkins-driven arrangement of the old Appalachian fiddle tune "Shady Grove" and the half-sarcastic "Fresh Air," but unfortunately the truncated 45 edit of "Who Do You Love" included here only tells half the story of what Quicksilver could do with this song, and most of the other tracks are forgettable at best. Quicksilver arose during the heady days of San Francisco be-ins and acid happenings, and like many of the bands on the scene at the time, they lacked focus in the studio, and they pretty much squandered their day in the sun, resulting in material that sounds more dated than inspired when all is said and done. Steve Leggett.
Who Do You Love (3:35) What About Me (6:42) Shady Grove (3:01) Just for Love (4:36) Fresh Air (5:21) Pride of Man (4:07) Dino's Song (3:05) Joseph's Coat (4:50) Long Haired Lady (5:52) California State Correctional Facility Blues (6:27) Stand By Me (3:34)