Browse by Label: BEAR RECORDS (UK)

Artist:	QUICKSILVER MESSENGER SERVICE
Title:	Live At The Avalon Ballroom, 9th Sept. 1966
Label:	BEAR RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$19.00
Catalog #:	BEARVP 105CD

Recorded in San Francisco, 9th September 1966. First in a series of live QMS from this Voiceprint subsidiary. Good-to-mediocre radio broadcast live material, but from an early/crucial era in the band's development -- so, worthwhile to those who know. Just hearing the name "Voiceprint," however, can cause nutritional disorder in the best of us, and the packaging/presentation here is typically half-hazard. But as the saying goes, "it could be worse"... "Quicksilver Messenger Service is considered to be one of the most important bands to come from the San Francisco music scene of the '60s along with their contemporaries The Grateful Dead and The Jefferson Airplane. The band initially came together in 1965 and proceeded to play a great many gigs across America. The band became one of the most popular draws in the Bay area of San Francisco and built a solid reputation as a strong live act built around a mixture of good material and what would essentially become their calling card -- long extended jamming pieces. The original line up was guitarists John Cippolina and Gary Duncan alongside drummer Greg Elmore, bassist David Frieberg and vocalist Jim Murray. Originally vocalist Dino Valenti was also in line to become a member however he was arrested and jailed on drugs charges whilst the band was still in its formative stages. He did, however, join the band at a later date. The original line up lasted from the bands inception in late 1965 until they signed with Capitol Records in late 1967. This early period performance of the band was captured at the Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco on the 9th of September 1966. The Avalon Ballroom was one of the most important venues in San Francisco operated by Chet Helms and his Family Dog Productions. Amongst the highlights here are the songs 'Pride of Man' which would grace the bands debut album some 18 months later and also 'Mona' -- a key track from the 1969 album Happy Trails. Two other tracks heavily associated with Quicksilver Messenger Service also find their way into the set and they are 'Babe I'm Gonna Leave You' and 'Codeine.' There is also a twenty minute plus version of 'Hoochie Coochie Man' which highlights the musical interplay of the band and their jamming skills."

Artist:	QUICKSILVER MESSENGER SERVICE
Title:	Live At The Fillmore Auditorium, 4th February 1967
Label:	BEAR RECORDS (UK)
Format:	2CD
Price:	$25.00
Catalog #:	BEARVP 107CD

"A performance from the Fillmore in San Francisco, by the Quicksilver Messenger Service. This recording contains many highlights including superb versions of 'You Don't Love Me' and 'A Fool For You,' 'Gold and Silver,' 'Walkin' Blues,' 'I Hear You Knocking' and 'All Night Worker,' and shows the band were flexible and able to put together a set that highlighted their musical dexterity and also their choice of material, although the performances are different."

Artist:	QUICKSILVER MESSENGER SERVICE
Title:	Live At The Filmore Auditorium, 6th February 1967
Label:	BEAR RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$19.00
Catalog #:	BEARVP 108CD

"This recording, while being a single disc, contains many highlights including superb versions of 'You Don't Love Me' and 'A Fool For You.' While not radically different from the set of the 4th of February, although shorter, the set does include 'Gold And Silver,' 'Walkin' Blues,' 'I Hear You Knocking' and 'All Night Worker' and shows the band were flexible and able to put together a set that highlighted their musical dexterity and also their choice of material -- although the performances are different."

Artist:	QUICKSILVER MESSENGER SERVICE
Title:	Live At The Carousel, 4th April 1968
Label:	BEAR RECORDS (UK)
Format:	2CD
Price:	$25.00
Catalog #:	BEARVP 109CD

"When this recording was made, it was just a few weeks after the release of the self titled debut from Quicksilver Messenger Service. The set included 'The Fool' and 'Light Your Windows' from the debut alongside live favourites 'Who Do You Love,' 'Babe I'm Gonna Leave You' and 'Walkin' Blues.' The second disc, however, is the real pull for Quicksilver fans, as it contains just the one track of the band doing what they do best and what sealed their reputation as a live band. The disc is taken up with 'The Jam,' an extended piece which never outstays its welcome but which underpins the band's musical inventiveness and dexterity."

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