Happy Trails

Sometimes you discover a great new band. This wasn't that time.

I enjoyed side 1 as, despite it being a 26 minute song in 5 movements, it was accessible and a pleasant listen. Perhaps helped that it was a well known cover ('Who do yo love?'). It was also well performed - I didn't realise it was a live version until the applause at the end. Side 2 is somehow even more self indulgent. 4 songs this time. 2 are ok covers (although Henry from Neighbours still has the definitive version of 'Mona') and the other 2 just sound like dull jams with nothing going on to keep my interest. My snap judgement: QMS maybe good at noodling on a guitar, but are not blessed with much in the way of creativity or songwriting talent.

"Extended free-form jazz excursion" - Spinal Tap

You know, they could've shot the messenger.

Quite a confusing album. Didn't really read or hear anything to suggest it's a worthy "1001" album and didn't massively enjoy it either. 4/10

Oh Christ, here we go. Even just looking at the cover I can guess two things: nowhere near as country as you'd think, and (probably) psychedelic rock instead. Plus it's 1969, so expectations are low. aaaaand boom, not country at all! Just psychedelic rock, extended jam SHIT. It was so boring I forgot it was on and only paid attention once spotify started playing "radio based on" songs. Fuck this stuff. it's an angry 1/5.

pretty accessible psychedelic rock with some darker, jazzy blues riffs, and a vague desert-y vibe. Good contemplation music. A bit too long for a casual listen.

Maybe it was subversive, edgy or outsider when it first came out but it sounds a lot like every jam band since. Reminded me of the Grateful Dead or Jefferson Airplane. I'm not sure why this would be considered important unless it were earlier than the Grateful Dead or Jefferson Airplane and influenced them.

This album is a great guitar solo, don’t think I needed to hear it though

A song I vaguely know followed by 40 minutes of what sounds like people tuning their instruments, concluded by the worst version of Happy Trails I've ever heard.

This album shouldn’t work as well as it does. I feel like if you asked anyone if they want to listen to a half hour rendition of Who Do You Love they would say no. But if you just put this album on without any context they’d think it kicks ass

Holy fuck. What have I been doing with my life that I haven't listened to this before now? This is exactly what I want out of psychedelic blues rock. A whole side dedicated to an absolute killer rendition of "Who Do You Love?" Yes please! I am now looking for the Pure Pleasure pressing of this as soon as I'm done my vinyl diet.

Saved Prior: None Saved Off Rip: None Cutting Edge: None Overall Notes: This is one of those albums where it inspired a lot of music that ended up being much better. The first couple of tracks were pretty cool how they overlapped and sounded like one long jam session, but not something I'll be returning to.

truly dreadful. First song is one verse of a Bo Diddley song then 20 minutes of uninspired blues noodling. And that's the highlight! Each track gets steadily worse, with awful hippy grunting on top of amateur guitar riffing. 2nd to last track is literally 13 minutes where nothing happens at all, but even this is preferable to the final track which is as brief as it is awful. might be one of the worst albums I have ever endured.

As much as the music wasn’t at all offensive, I didn’t really enjoy listening to a band jam for 30mins. It wasn’t terrible music and would normally be a 2 star, but because half the album is a cover, I have to mark it down as I did for The Sonics. The infamous “star rating system” is nothing without consistency.

Wow drugs

Who spiked my LSD with retrospective adulation? I had a good time with this. Brings to mind Paul Butterfield’s Blues Band - this is a compliment. Those were the days: you could amble onstage dragging curly leads, thwack off over a couple of Bo Diddley covers for an hour, and then sixty years later have some faded Gen-X’er be compelled to write about your vintage jizz as it is now classic jizz that you must listen to before you die. Sounded even better on second listen and only didn’t make it to a four because the last song annoyed me. Reading the Wikipedia page on this album is confusing fun; reading QMS’s Wikipedia page is confusing poignancy - you can tell they were legit from the premature deaths with tints of bitterness, ey.

The first 25 minutes or so is a very long and experimental version of Bo Diddly's 'Who Do You Love'? that meanders around pretty aimlessly and doesn't ever come close to being as good as Bo's version. So there's that. It's not a 1/5 but it's unspectacular. Heard better stuff from bands who were wildly off their tits in the same era.

Per Wikipedia: Quicksilver Messenger Service began as a SF-based horseback courier, but was forced to pivot their business to psych rock after an unfortunate sexual incident involving a large, valuable parcel and an Appaloosa. Tip of the hat to QMS for somehow, against all odds, squeezing a half hour of juice out of the 2 chord Bo Diddly beat and keeping it pretty interesting. C+ Also very interested to see Josh's review since he usually isn't a fan of live albums but has a special place in his heart for QMS.

Its ok but not interesting enough to get away with no Lyrics. 2/5

this is like the musical equivalent of those 52-in-1 game cartridges for the NES. theres country, jazz, psych rock, blues, and even ambient on Cavalry???????????????? and why are half of the songs named one of the 5 W's with "You Love" stuck on the end???????? this may be the weirdest one yet.

A hidden gem.

Alright I’m biased as a big fan of psychedelic bands from the 60s, especially ones from San Francisco, but surprisingly I didn’t know much about quicksilver other than hearing who do you love on car commercials. I thought about giving it a 4 because it certainly won’t appeal to everyone or be “objectively” great, but it’s accomplishes everything it’s going for and more. It’s an impressive feat to be a musically talented half forgotten live acid band in the 60s and yet still have your music played in mainstream 2020 commercials.

Love that this was recorded live and hat hte musicians just put thier stamp on some Bo Diddley tunes. Great psych rock record to listen to.

the past 2 acid rock albums ive heard were both pretty underwhelming, but this one was great!!! about half the album is taken up by one long continuous track, apparently it's a bo diddley cover? im gonna be honest ive never heard a bo diddley song i dont think. maybe one on the radio but thats it. the cover is really good though, it goes thru a ton of sections that're all pretty cool (Where You Love is some rly weird improvisational bs for 1969), and the guitar tones are really good. Mona isnt my favorite thing ever but it picks right back up after that! also worth mentioning: this is the first live album ive gotten from this site! not sure how many there are :o very nice guitar tones on here, cool noodling. most of it is instrumental (i kept forgetting there was a vocalist at all) so its pretty nice to put on in the background and just let it go wild in the back of ur brain. great stuff :D 9/10

Fantastic long form 60’s psych. Experimental and jammy, with touches of avant-garde guitar interplay, noise and feedback, you can hear the influence this record might have had on a band like Sonic Youth. With such a dynamic sense of improvisation and tight rhythmic focus in these live performances, I’m left wondering, “Why on earth would anyone listen to the Grateful Dead when this exists?”

Reminds of my first job in high school, working for the Cheyenne Messenger Service. Used to deliver daily telegrams to ol' Tracy McCraken at the Wyoming Tribune Eagle. He'd sometimes scold me for being late, other times he'd buy me a beer from the Railspur across the street. Then me and the fellas would roll up a joint and listen to Happy Trails behind the rail yard. I dreamed of better days, not realizing I was living them all along. Happy trails my friends, happy trails.

Half the album sounds like an improvised jam session and I am absolutely on board with that. A joyous treat of psychedelic rock and amazing guitar work. Will definitely stay in rotation for me.

What the f——-? Mind blowing guitar solos. Like Roy Rogers on acid. Loads of fun but I don’t think I’ll be listening to it again except as mood music for my apocalyptic western RPG.

It is a rule of nature that nobody likes guitar noodling, apart from the noodlers themselves. But you know what, I actually kind of dug this. That can only mean that it was in fact me who recorded this album; all despite never having touched an electric guitar in my life. For that feat alone, this album deserves three stars in my book.

It's ok. Just fine. Don't know why I had to listen to it though. I'm from the SF Bay Area and never heard of Quicksilver Messenger Service before.

No. 229/1001 What Do You Love Pt. 1 3/5 When You Love 3/5 Where You Love 1/5 How You Love 2/5 Which Do You Love 2/5 What Do You Love Pt. 2 3/5 Mona 2/5 Maiden of the Cancer Moon 3/5 Calvary 2/5 (2x) Happy Trails 2/5 Average: 2,27 Didn't enjoy this one.

Literally just 50 minutes of boomers noodling on guitars. 4/10

It would’ve been better as a concert film, but regardless, it’s wonderful. Groovy, dynamic, artistic, I’ll definitely come back to this.

A live album, the first track, "Who Do You Love Suite", which would have occupied the whole of the first side of the original vinyl album, is a 25-minute cover of Bo Diddley's "Who Do You Love?" in classic 1960's Psychedelic Rock / Acid Rock style. A great album.

I'm not even finished listening to it and I'm giving it five stars and putting it on the playlist for when I go up to the cottage with my girl to get real high and f*** all weekend

Tasty tasty psychedelic rock! This album has been one of my favorites since my deadbeat school buddies listened to it getting high. Amazing guitar work, joyful jamming. Sure, a bit self-indulgent but I put myself in the shoes of the grooving hippies who got to see John Cippolina live. The man definitely deserves a spot on this list, and this album (especially side 1) shows him off at his finest. Favorite tracks - When You Love

This project's taught me that I don't like the wider world of 60s psych rock as much as I thought, so it's great to find something that sounds like what I actually had in mind. Y'know, jam music

Sent me into a trance with it’s 27 minute track - not sure it’s for me but love the audacity and enjoyed it over a pint as I’m sure is best

kärlek som tema, ett koncept kanske. trevligt koncept 60-tal. och en gunghaj spelar gitarr och en flaska rom. tyvärr inte rom utan droger. eftersom ett gäng narkomaner. DRUGMAN!!! DRUG FREAKS!!! de gjorde fortfarande bra musik även om det inte fanns något mandat att använda dessa droger om det skulle behövas wjere do you love

Instrumental 60's rock. Yes, please.

I'd never heard of them until now, but having listened to the album everything suddenly makes sense. A definite missing link in psych-rock, and they seem pretty influential too.

honestly the best album here so far with the nick drake one, love the transitions, love the grooves, love the cover, just a great vibe generally

Dødskult og rar psychedelisk rock med innslag av americana/country

Three takeaways: - Kevin Bacon was a terrible day trader, but didn't know he made music - "happy trails" -heh - Where You Love is terrible - otherwise this is one of the greatest stoner rock albums ever -

YES! So trippy. Where has this been all my life???

10/10 super nice, proggy stuff love it

Over half the album is one big fucking jam. Sick

Возвращаюсь в игру. Тру Детектив + Джентльмены Гая Ричи (в подтверждение!!! у меня после окончания альбома медиатека продолжила проигравание похожего и включила Cream — Sunshine of your love из Джентльменов) Такое я люблю Очень приятные мне звучание и музыкальность, кайфово просто сидеть и слушать, следя за мелодией

очень круто! треки перетекают один в другой, альбом как одна полу-импровизационная композиция (как выяснилось (так пишут в вики) - смесь рока и джаза) захотелось снять короткий метр построенный полностью на хэппи трэйлс (что опять же говорит о его структуре)

Meu favorito até agora! Kkkk Muito bom. É bem mais rico do que os outros que eu escutei até agora. 5/5. Definitivamente.

This is a wonderful tribute to Bo Diddly. Most of the album is comprised of Bo Diddy covers or Bo Diddly inspired tunes. Side one is a tour de force - Who Do You Love Suite. Almost all rock groups in the late 60s and 70s wore the Bio Diddly influence on their sleeves for a song or tune. What Quicksilver Messenger Service did was something different. Rather than simply play or modify the famous Bo Diddly rhythm, they use it as a starting point and explore all the intricacies contained therein. I also love that it was recorded live at Fillmore East and Fillmore West, but they don’t tell us which coast.

This was right up my wheelhouse. I was wondering how long track 1 could be when I looked and realized I was deep into track 3. I mean that as a compliment. The whole first side of this album was a fantastic and interesting jam. Like the pig-pen era Grateful Dead with a harder and tighter edge. Great guitar parts. I never heard to this and will come back to this for sure.

Fantastic freak out medley on side 1. Then "Mona" Maiden Of The Cancer Moon" Does any other album scream San Francisco more than this?

Awesome psych rock album, great solos

I dig this a lot.

Loved this album. A staple in psychedelic rock

Loved it, loved their other music as well

Loved this.

damn first song be banging

Al parecer me encantan las jams de rock psicodélico. Total del álbum: 76

Reminds me of Doors

Ça faisait longtemps qu'un album de rock psychédélique des 60s ne m'avait pas autant accroché, surtout en plus que c'est un album qui comporte vraiment beaucoup de solos de guitare. Ce n'est pas un album que j'ai trouvé impecable du début à la fin, mais il a su me garder accroché tout au long. J'avais vraiment l'impression de m'imaginer être à cette époque. Définitivement à réécouter (probablement avec un gros indica). 7.5/10

Very mellow jam-band vibes. A little like some Dead that I enjoy. 4.5

It’s a good album. May be one of my favorites to listen to when working, since the flow is smooth and the singers are not absolutely terrible.

минимализм, но приятный

Lots of cool noises. Got kind of boring at the end though. Just too long.

A less manic The Doors. Still has some great guitar.

Good laye 60s rock

A very pleasant prog/psychadelic experience across two Bo Diddly medleys. It certainly made my grocery shopping a much nicer experience

I enjoyed this, and think it would get better on repeat listens.

Much more enjoyable to me than some of their San Fran Psych peers. Basically just a jam loosely based on Who Do You Love, very bluesy. If it weren't for the lengthy improv jams and jazzy parts, this would be a pretty straight forward live blues album.

I've heard of the band name Quicksilver Messenger Service before, and for some reason I always thought it was a 90s indie band. Maybe I was thinking of the Quicksilver clothing brand from the 90s LOL. In any case, I feel like this kind of music could fit in with some of the indie noise rock Sonic Youth type distortion-heavy stuff I heard on college radio in the 90’s. Sprawling, freeform soundscapes, abstract psychedelic jazz, with a little riffing on Bo Diddly as well. It was an interesting listen. But I'm left wondering one thing: WHY you love.

Really liked this album.

Cool album. I will always enjoy psychedelic, blues rock from this era. First half of the album is a cool long-form live version of "Who Do You Love." It's just generally some solid music to vibe to with interesting arragements. ****

Live albums seem to be real hit and miss on this project, Van Morrison’s live album was particularly dreadful and unnecessary. Happy Trails is a good example of a live album that showcases a band’s strengths. Yea, it’s Jammy and perhaps meanders but that’s the beauty of live music, it’s a time to give new life and length to the studio tracks. The hazy blues with psych undertones makes for an enjoyable listen. I understand it’s not going to be for everyone and that’s cool but I really liked this. 4 stars

Cacophonous psychedelic jam band and I mean this as a compliment

i was somehow exactly in the right mood for this (read: feverish, woozy, taking a bath) 3.5

Very typical late 60's sound, much like other bands of the era, Cream, Hendrix etc. Enjoy how each song leads seamlessly into the next one, almost like a 50 minute guitar solo. Slight lull on the song How You Love and the penultimate Cavalry prevents it being a 5

When i read the description of this record I was dreading listening to it. I mean a 20+ minutes rendition of Who Do You Love by Bo Diddley-pass! However, I really dug it.

Groovy and a little heavy.

Desert-dusted psychedelic suites that flow surprisingly well.

I don't mind this at all... 3.6+ Yes it's a little boring in parts, but I overall dig the extended jams here. Kind of like Doors but without the organ stuff. Pretty solid dynamic range on this one! Mona to Maiden of the Cancer Moon is probably the best part.

Good stuff. Could totally listen again.

Sheeeww doggy what a fine album! I done burned a hole in my boot dancing to this'ne.

I'm kind of picky about my late 60s Bay Area psychedelia but this is solid.

Not exactly my thing but it’s a great representation of its era and the “set and setting” of 1960s San Francisco.

Never heard of these guys before. It was good stuff.

4 lovely stars.

I have been a QMS fan for well over 50 years. I especially loved their version of Pride of Man.

Makes sense they came up in the psychedelic San Francisco scene. You can hear the Grateful Dead in their guitar work. There’s even a note of the California surfer sound. Normally, I hate this kind of music. But so far, it’s alright. Bitch is tearing it up on When You Love. It’s nice that the songs flow straight into each other. Feels like an unbroken musical experience. Where You Love, How You Love and Which Do You Love are interesting and experimental. I should not be enjoying a psychedelic jam band, but I think that’s what’s happening here. It helps that it’s mostly really well-played instrumental music. Words would not be helpful here. Better that they let the music do the talking. Makes absolute sense when you learn that the full six song suite was based on Bo Diddley’s original 1956 Who Do You Love. Pretty brilliant reinterpretation. Should hate, cannot find cause.

I was already intimately familiar with this album. I really like it a lot because I like this genre and time period (late 60s psychedelic blues rock) and am generally a fan of live albums. I really like the extended jams. That said, the vast majority of this album (entire Who Do You Love suite and Mona) is an extended take on the Bo Diddley beat. If you like that, it's great. Unrelated to this album, but I went looking for more live Quicksilver Messenger Service from this era, and there is quite a lot of it out there, but Happy Trails is the best of the bunch.

A big regret of mine is that I didn't see Kyuss when they were playing at the festival I was at. Didn't know, didn't bother, probably [unclear mumbling]. With that, for context, Quicksilver Messenger Service gets a 4½ out of 5 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘷𝘺, 𝘮𝘢𝘯, 𝘧𝘢𝘳 𝘰𝘶𝘵!s.

Gotta love. Led Zeppelin!

So jammy.

The naming of the tracks on this album is absolutely inspirational

Pretty good album, really nice guitar riffs and solos. Refreshing sound, even of the record is more than 50.year old.

Man, if Bo Diddley had made money off of all his songs that bands have covered even of just Who Do You Love, he would have died as rich as he should have. I do love this concept album though- even if the whole first side is a cover. It's cool that they spliced it together from live shows at the Fillmore East and West. It makes wonder why a jam band like Grateful Dead rose of of the SF psychedelic scene to become it's own brand, when a band like Quicksilver Messenger Service, arguably just as talented if not more so than the Dead, sort of faded into relative obscurity (except from Deadheads who pride themselves on loving bands just like the Dead who aren't the dead -- looking at you, Todd Gascon!) Anyway, I liked it for the concept and because the musicians are good. 4 stars.

This is such a great prog / psychedelic album. QSR sounds like elements of the Doors and very early Springsteen. Live albums tend to be tough to get through, but Happy Trails, a blend of two concerts at the two Fillmore's is reminiscent of early Jam bands and makes for a joyful ride. 4/5.

This was a fun, trippy, classic rock album. Loved the live/improvisational feel. Would have loved to have seen this guys live in their hey day