Quicksilver Messenger Service / Pure Pleasure

Quicksilver Messenger Service's debut effort was a little more restrained and folky than some listeners had expected, given their reputation for stretching out in concert. While some prefer the mostly live "Happy Trails",

this self-titled collection is inarguably their strongest set of studio material, with the accent on melodic folk-rock. Highlights include their cover of folksinger Hamilton Camp's "Pride of Man", probably their best studio track;

"Light Your Windows", probably the group's best original composition; and founding member Dino Valenti's "Dino's Song" (Valenti himself was in jail when the album was recorded). "Gold And Silver" is their best instrumental

jam, and the 12-minute "The Fool" reflects some of the best and worst traits of the psychedelic era.  John Cipollina, Gary Duncan (g, voc); David Frieberg (b, voc); Greg Elmore (dr, perc)

Title

Side 1

1. Pride Of Man

2. Light Your Windows

3. Dino's Song

4. Gold and Silver

Side 2

1. Too Long

2. The Fool