Published 2026-05-17 06:00
"Who Do You Love : The Recordings 1967-1972" is a new 7 CD clamshell box anthology featuring recordings of the legendary US west coast band Quicksilver Messenger Service made between 1967 and 1972.
Formed in San Francisco in 1965, the band were contemporaries of local acts such as Jefferson Airplane and Grateful Dead, achieving huge popularity in the Bay Area of California thanks to their imaginative psychedelic rock which drew on jazz, classical and folk influences. Their live performances were legendary thanks to their extended improvisational ability and the interplay of John Cipollina and Gary Duncan's guitar playing, ably backed by David Freiberg (bass) and Greg Elmore (drums).
In the late 1960's their musical approach influenced many emerging artists both in the US of A and in Europe, with the British band Man being huge admirers, thanks to their 1968 self titled debut and the classic "Happy Trails" album released a year later. In 1969 the band augmented their line up with the arrival of Dino Valenti (guitar, vocals) and renowned British keyboard player Nicky Hopkins.
Although not as commercially successful as their west coast compatriots, the band’s albums all charted in the USA. This box set collection includes the albums "Quicksilver Messenger Service", "Happy Trails", "Shady Grove", "Just For Love", "What About Me", "Quicksilver" and "Comin’ Thru", along with an additional 12 bonus tracks drawn from demos, rare singles and a 1968 live concert recording.
"Who Do You Love : The Recordings 1967-1972" also features an illustrated booklet with a new essay featuring exclusive interviews by journalist Mike Mettler.
Esoteric and Cherry Red Records, May 29th, 2026.