Tuesday 11 June 2019

Just For Love - QUICKSILVER MESSENGER SERVICE***

Wolf Run Part 1/Just For Love Part 1/Cobra/The Hat/Freeway Flyer/Gone Again/Fresh Air/Just For Love Part 2/ Wolf Run Part 2

After several personnel changes Quicksilver Messenger Service on Just For Love move away from their original psychedelic folk-rock sound to a more blues-rock style. (US:27)

“Just For Love has some really perfect moments. For example The Hat, Gone Again and their biggest hit Fresh Air, which is just unbelievable. The shorter songs are nice too and they fit the album even if they're not as mind-blowing.”

Just For Love comes across as a band going through changes and organising their sound. Although there are some good moments - the guitar playing is always enjoyable - but some of the ideas are stretched out rather than built and constructed upon to make a stronger album. In those days bands really were pumping out albums at a fast rate which surely has an effect on the writing.”

“This album heralded a new direction for Quicksilver with Dino Valenti returning after doing time for a drug bust. While this may not be their strongest album I would have to say it's worth buying for the song Fresh Air which became an anthem of the time.”

“Certainly QMS represented the best of "jam rock" with their style of two guitar, point and counterpoint method of playing. Whether intentional or not they touched the very essence of classical music structure and connotation, which resulted in a musical conversation rather than merely a song.”

“The way the lead guitarist plays on this album is out of this world; way above and beyond the realm of typical rock guitar playing. From the powerful thrilling boogie glides on Freeway Flyer to the intoxicatingly beautiful and sensual melodic whispers and caresses on Gone Again, his guitar consistently and spontaneously delivers what seems to be just the right sound for the moment and the context, with never a dull moment.”

“Unlike the psychedelic folk-rock of their earlier releases, Just For Love features the bluesy keyboard work of session-man Nicky Hopkins. As a result, this album is less San Francisco acid-rock, and more progressive blues-rock. A great American release for fans of the British sound.”

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