More corrections. The newest concert by Quicksilver Messenger Service is amazing in terms of the evolution of the band. However, whomever wrote the concert review got a couple of things wrong. (I have corrected other reviews by posting to the forum, but the errors persist in the review). But, I'll try again and for you rock trivia types you can read it here.
The review has Jim Murray as "vocals and percussion", but the only percussion I ever saw him play was a tambourine. He also definitely played a decent rhythm guitar. Finally, he played harmonica (you can hear it on Hoochie Coochie Man). He quit the group in late 1967, but not before appearing at Monterey Pop (and in the times I saw them in June-Sept of 67).
The review states: "...Valenti got busted for drugs and sent away to prison. He would eventually get out and rejoin just as Quicksilver was about to start recording its debut album in 1967." Not true -- their inagural album was cut without Valenti or Murray, as a quartet. And as late as October 1968, Valenti was not in the group and had a solo career going (he opened for Hendrix at the Winterland). I think he joined the group in 1969 and was a focal point, much to the dismay of many QMS fans, for several years. He vocals are featured in later "hits" like Fresh Air. The situation reminds me of Journey, as many of us dug the group more before Steve Perry's vocals arrived, but QMS was less extreme of a makeover than that was!
The review says John Cippolina died of drug and alcohol use. While he may have been a user, the guiarist died of emphysema (he ALWAYS had a smoke tucked into the tuning peg area). The last time I saw him play in about 1985 (with Nick Gravenitis as Thunder and Lighting), he appeared pretty damn clean. His guitar playing was favored over Garcia's, Jorma's, and James Gurley's (the 4 most popular bands 1966-69) by almost every person I knew. He was brilliant. In late 68 and certainly by 1970, Carlos Santana stood at the top in terms of Bay Area guitarists.
Lastly, the statement "Their musicianship is remarkably strong on this early recording, considering other popular bands breaking through the Bay Area club scene at the time could barely play." is subject to debate. The Airplane was very popular by the end of 1966 and they definitely could play. Ditto for the Dead (although their early style was very loose). Big Brother was pretty rough even into 1967, I'll grant you that. I never saw the Charlatans. I think the British bands upped the ante when they starting coming here, so everyone started woodsheding more.
I like the rest of the review, as it strikes the right chords about the development of the band.
