Quicksilver Messenger Service - Fillmore West - November 9, 1968

QMS (L TO R): DAVID FREIBERG, GARY
DUNCAN, GREG ELMORE, & JOHN CIPOLLINA

OK, I'll admit that there is not a great deal to write about here, but I'll give you my two cents' worth on this pair of tracks, which come from the time when Quicksilver was extensively recording their live shows for material that would appear on Happy Trails. Taped on November 9 (or possibly November 10), 1968 at home turf venue Fillmore West, neither "Smokestack Lightning" nor "Suzy Q" as heard at this concert are particularly noteworthy performances. The former is not necessarily played badly, but it just doesn't rank as highly as other blues covers for which the band was better suited. This version of "Suzy Q" may have been one of the last times that Quicksilver played Dale Hawkins' signature tune. Considering its sluggish execution, it certainly sounds like they were sick and tired of doing it.



1. Smokestack Lightning
2. Suzy Q