Previously only available as a bootleg, this is the first remastered and authorised release of what was to be the final show (New Year’s 1970) for the classic Quicksilver line up of Dino Valenti, John Cipollina, Gary Duncan, Greg Elmore and David Freiberg, organised to coincide with the release of What About Me. Originally broadcast on San Francisco’s KMPX radio, At The Kabuki Theatre is loose and rambling but never shambolic, opening with a spun-out version of their iconic pro-marijuana anthem Fresh Air, and closing almost two psychedelically-hued hours later with Freeway Flyer.
In between the highlights include explosive guitar duelling on Cobra, the proto-ecological protest of What About Me, the spectacularly meandering Call On Me, Pride Of Man, Mojo and the trusty Quicksilver live staple Mona. By way of extras, there’s also four tracks from a previously unreleased studio rehearsal from 1969 featuring Nicky Hopkins. Given the quality of the performance and the significance of the occasion, this is one release no self-respecting Quicksilver completist will want to be without.
