What About Me

If I could do half-stars this would be a 3 1/2-star rating. This album makes a good companion album to "Just For Love', and was recorded in the same studio in Hawaii (I think that's right) with more or less the same personnel. Magnificent slide guitarist John Cipollina's presence continues to wane here, though "Local Color" is a real standout. In contrast, Dino Valente's presence is increased, with mixed results. The title song sounded like a call to revolution back in the day, but just sounds like a pipe dream now. And Dino's voice, well, it gets a little whiny--a little goes a long way for sure. Keyboardist Nicky Hopkins is again in the band's lineup for this LP, and his "Spindrifter" is one of the album's best cuts for sure. The album packaging is similar to the "Just For Love" treatment, and looks nice but is ultimately pretty forgettable.

This review primarily pertains to the sound or audio quality of this latest reissue. I've always loved the album in spite of its crappy sound, or maybe I should say I've always loved the songs on the album if that makes better sense, because I've always hated the crappy sound. I've also always thought this particular album was the worst of all the early poor sounding Quicksilver releases. To this day I still can't believe a record company of any kind, much less a major company like Capitol, would release recordings that sounded like crap from an audio or fidelity standpoint. The only thing that has ever made sense to me is that everybody at Capitol records at the time was totally deaf (or maybe totally stoned :). As for this latest remaster - finally a half decent sounding CD reissue of the album. I can only say `half decent' because it still needs some work. Basically this remaster increases the bass, which was needed, and increases the volume level, which really has nothing to do with the sound or audio quality. The basic remaining problem is that overall it still has a `tinny' sound to it, although maybe not quite as bad or pronounced on this reissue, but still definitely noticeable when vocals and/or horns are present. That being said, of the 3 or 4 CD reissues I've heard, I'd have to say that this is the best sounding one. And this may be as good as it's going to get, because there probably is only so much that can be done when you have a very poor sounding source to start with. I guess the biggest culprit was all the echo that was used in the original recording. For anybody thinking of purchasing the album I would recommend this reissue over any of the earlier releases, especially the Japanese release. Definitely do not waste your money on that high priced Japanese remaster, which doesn't sound like the audio has been remastered at all. Usually for most Japanese remasters you can count on the sound or audio quality being great, but not on the Japanese remasters of the early Quicksilver releases. One last comment concerns the description of this being a "Deluxe" reissue. This is not a "deluxe" reissue as normally used in the CD marketing world these days. With most deluxe packages you get booklets with extensive notes, etc, and bonus CDs and/or DVDs with never before released materials, such as live material, different mixes, `the making of . . . ` video, concert videos, etc. All this `deluxe' reissue package consists of is the remastered original album packaged in a mini-lp sleeve . . . period, that's it, no booklets, no bonus discs, not even a single bonus track. So don't expect the normal "deluxe" package.

Just for Love and What about me reflect the state of grace, peace who lived Quicksilver Messenger Service during the two months in Hawaii, in fact the two records came out a short distance from each other. Well not bad, and if the 'original group consisted essentially in putting together all that work and it was trend in 1970 (pop, rock, acid-rock, psychedelic, garage) must give place to do it well and often in an original way. The song of the same name What about me, was transmitted continuously on radio across the USA and became a big hit. Unfortunately, the production was not excellent, it lacked a producer to guide the band in the studio and from the first listen you realize that the ideal size of the group is to play live in a stage.

"For some reason, San Francisco ostracised us at that point," Gary Duncan said after the release of "Just For Love." Think of it, the band's hometown more or less shut them out. Can you guess why? "What About Me," released three months after "Just For Love," was Dino and the band's attempt to make amends. Bear in mind, about half the songs here were recorded during the Hawaiian sessions that produced "Just For Love." However, this album is stronger overall, but is still not up to the quality of Quicksilver's first two albums. As stated in my review of "Just For Love," Quicksilver featured two of the best guitarists on the West Coast in Gary Duncan and John Cipollina, who Valenti pretty much silenced on "Just For Love." Apparently, Dino didn't want to share the spotlight with anyone. As Freiberg points out in an interview on the QMS website, once Dino joined, everything had to be his way. A more appropriate title for this album would have been "All About Me."The opening cut is the best thing here, but it goes on and on even though Dino has nothing profound to say (Bob Dylan he ain't). "Subway," with throw-away lyrics, is redeemed by Duncan's guitar. "Spindrifter" and "Local Color" are instrumentals (by Nicky Hopkins and Cipollina respectively) that manage to rise above the mediocrity. The only non-Dino vocal is David Freiberg's "Won't Kill Me," a countryish tune that would be right at home on "Shady Grove." Dino does well singing Duncan's "All in my mind" a Latin-flavored tune with hit potential. Also noteworty is "Call On Me" which, like the opening cut, features brass and has its moments. Finally, Cipollina's tremolo guitar can actually be heard on "Good Old Rock and Roll" mainly because Dino's echo-laden voice has been isolated and pushed deeper into the mix. With a first-rate producer (someone with the guts to reign in Valenti's excesses, say, Paul Rothchild or Lou Adler), this could have been a respectable album.As it turned out, Cipollina, Hopkins and manager Ron Polte split soon after the band's return from Hawaii, having had enough of Dino's bull-headed behavior. Freiberg split as well, it just took him a little longer. Dino's takeover forced them all out. A real shame. The original band could have been a monster.

The first time I heard this was at club I worked in as a bus-boy.The Generator....Yonge/Eglington....early seventies again! EverySaturday around 3 or 4 PM they would have the DJ in to spin sometunes and I would soak it up. This stood out then and I just hadto order this remaster. I will UPDATE....March 23rd, 2013... Thisjust became affordable again today. The remaster is well-received!I ordered another copy! The old Beat Goes On masterings are just that.Old....Culture Factory has the whole package sewn-up....I'ts worth it....

Es la tercera edición de este disco que compro (vinilo, cd )esperando que la remasterización mejore algo el sonido, pero no lo consigue del todo , algo mejor ,pero..... por lo demas la edición es buena ,

cela fait deux fois que je commande ce cd et je recois un autre CD de Quicsilver "Just for Love" la premiere fois pensant que l'erreur n'était pas grave, car je ne possédais pas aucun des albums et qu'il me plaisait, mais apres ma deuxieme commande de " What About Me", et recevant a nouveau"Just for Love" que ce passe t'il???je désire recevoir le produit que je commande et pas un autre, un peu de Sérieux

This H D Remaster sounds like vinyl but clean, not thin, flat or piercing like early CD could be. Nice package , Great Album.

'de ce groupe de musique californienne des années 70,injustement rabaissé par des critiques qui entendent la musique sans se donner la peine d'écouter vraiment et qui ne pardonnent pas à ce groupe de s'être écarté de la musique de leur excellent album "happy trails"."what about me" est un album très calme et varié, aucun morceau n'est à jeter,écoutez l'instrumental "spindrifter" et vous serez conquis.à placer entre jefferson airplane et stephen stills ou encore devendra banhardt