Live at the Fillmore June 7, 1968

Any chance to hear a strong live recording of a legendary band in their prime should be seized. Every Quicksilver Messenger Service fan knows the group were at their best in concert, and that while studio albums have their particular charms, it’s not quite like hearing a night in 1968 at San Francisco’s Fillmore. Even the group’s second album, Happy Trails (from which several songs here appeared), was recorded live and attempted to capture the unself-conscious chemistry that’s right here. Five of the six songs from the band's self-titled debut appear, including sharp versions of Hamilton Camp’s “Pride of Man” (with a sonic glitch), Gary Duncan and David Freiberg’s “Light Your Windows,” and “The Fool.” Duncan and John Cipollina are in their element and additionally turn “Smokestack Lightning,” “Acapulco Gold & Silver,” “Mona,” and “Who Do You Love” into experiences far beyond their blues origins. True to the era, guitars fall out of key, mixes sometimes favor Duncan, and the passion of the moment was more important than posterity. This is clearly from a time when bands were there to explore the unknown alongside their audiences.