Not a bad recording --for Cipolina Fans
J. R Sategna | Martinez, California United States | 05/12/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is not a bad set--the 1st cd set is the bands 1st and only album-I have this album on vinyl and I got to admit sounds better than the cd. Barry Melton, John Cippoliona and friends are in the band. Melton's singing is average and not too strong. My question is Where is Nick Gravanites? He was always jamming with these people. His vocals would definiitely improve the recording. The high points of the 1st CD are Lay Back Baby and Mona, both with great guitar from Cipolina and Melton. The 2nd CD are live recordings and suffer from poor sound and boring material. My suggestion is buy the vinyl if you can find it or get this one on cd and ignore the 2nd CD--there is a big difference. Rock on Quicksilver fans!!!!!!"
Dancing With Dinosaurs
C. Merganz | Seattle,WA. | 11/08/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When the material goes from a Rock arrangement of a folksong (Butchers Boy)to the Late Bo Diddley(Mona)then on to Nina Simone(Do I Move You?) to George Gershwin(I Can't Get Started with You),and it's played by the Original members of some of San Fransisco's finest Bands of the late 60's and 70's you'd wonder..... WHAT? But it is a tribute to the musicians talent,friendship and that old S.F. Spirit. that makes this a Treasure for all who love the music of the era and a GREAT JAM BAND. The album notes say that Disc 1 is a Studio Album and Disc 2 the Live one but when you listen to it you realize there"s more LIVE on Disc 1 than meets the eye, or should I say EAR.The vocals may be strained at times but it happens when band mates inspire each to play harder and push the envelope. When was the last time you heard an Instrumental on a CD? The couple included show just how versitile and talented these guys are.My favorite cuts are the tunes"Do I Move You?" where everyone takes an extended solo and blows the House away,"Mona"where the band and guitarist John Cippolinia take the Bo Diddley/Quicksilver Messenger Service staple and make it their own and take it to a higher level,Barry Melton's "Good Old Rock and Roll" will get you dancin',and Bassist Peter Albin reprises his song from the Mainstream Big Brother Album "Blindman" with Janis' vocal part handled by Kathi McDonald(another still-performing vocalist of the era).
All in all this is one great collection of music.The only downside is the passing of John Cippolina which is mentioned in the extensive liner notes.His contributions to these recordings and his relationships with the other band members made this recording the Treasure that it is.
Don't take my word for it,buy it ,listen to it(with earphones preferably),dance to it, and if you are a guitarist work out the tunes and play along. You won't be disappointed."
Great collection of recordings by bay area music veterans
Quicksilver Lightning | Honolulu | 02/06/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a 2 cd collection of the first and probably the last recordings of the San Francisco band the Dinosaurs. Don't be put off by the first track Lay Back Baby which sounds like an 80s synth rock number the rest of the album is definitely in the realm of 60's bay area rock and roll. The second cd is a soundboard quality live recording featuring tracks recorded after John Cippolina's passing and features really nice fiddle contributions from the late Papa John Creach. This collection is definitely worth a listen."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1