Search - Leslie West :: Mountain

Early 'Leslie' in the RAW!

Daniel L. Aversano | NW Florida | 11/14/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Well, there he is, the fat kid from Long island who finally gets a record deal and gets his first record produced by the powerful (Cream) and brilliant (just listen to later Mountain in the studio!) Felix Pappalardi. This is no crack back-up band as some have said---while the drummer wasn't the best, and would be replaced by the Hard Rockin' Corky Laing on the first true Mountain album, 1970s 'Climbing!'---the bass player is one to listen to: none other than Felix himself!



Just listen to the grinding unison riff of Blood of the Sun----what you are hearing is the beginning of one of the most ferocious, hard rock bands ever---their signature 'heavy', driving sound, as in Mississippi Queen and Never In My Life. The fact is, ONLY Mountain sounded like that...They were clearly one of the great American Hard Rock bands of that era (as were Grand Funk Railroad, though constantly maligned by the press), and could be outstanding Live on a good night.



This is a raw, in your face example of a young talent and experienced producer, and the result was very good. Some of the highlights are the gutsy blues 'Blindman', 'Southbound Train', and 'Dreams of Milk and Honey'---the last one a song which would later become part of the band's long, improvisational jam piece live: the 'Dream Sequence' which can be heard played flawlessly on 1971's 'Flowers of Evil' album.



So while it is not Leslie West at his best---Felix had yet to hone his skills as a guitarist---it is some of his most freewheeling, let it hang-out there playing, a very good first record, and would lead to much BIGGER and better things! I would say that for all of us hard rockers of the late 60s and early 70s, this record is a classic, and a must have, especially for any youngsters who are interested in what good hard guitar driven rock sounded like in 1969. American style. And the record stands the test of time.



'The Lorp'"

This is were it started

J. Talsma | Amsterdam, Netherlands | 02/16/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Actually a solo-album called "Mountain" "by the then virtually unknown Leslie West, who played with a local band which was seen by Creamproducer Felix Pappalardi, this has unmistakenly the sound of the latterday group named after that album, carrying its flag with it. With the help of Pappalardi on bassguitar and shared songwriting this is a reliable source of livestaples, like the formidable "Long Red" (a live rendition can be found on "Live/The Road Goes Ever On") and the magnificent "Blood of the Sun" (check also the version on the double live "Twin Peaks") or the awesome "Dreams of Milk and Honey", contrary to its title a heavy rocksong . Always considered an overdriveladen leadguitarist West is a true great singer, with a rainbow voice, ranging from soft to raw, a gifted songwriter and also a subtle acoustic fingerpicking guitarplayer as ample demonstrated on the beautiful "Because You are My Friend" (or "To My Friend" from the "Climbing!" album). So this album is not only fine on itself but also a historical document which cast its light forward."

The first from my all time Guitar Hero

Glen Kepic | Norcal native | 11/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I actually bought this after "Climbing" as that was my introduction to the great Leslie West but "Mountain" has stood the test of time nonetheless.



Standout tracks include Dreams of Milk and Honey,Blood of the Sun and Blind Man but all the songs are good. When I was 15 in '72 Leslie West inspired me to actually play guitar instead of doing the airguitar thing with my plastic Les Paul copy and apparently I was in good company.



Michael Schenker (another fave) has mentioned Leslie as an influence (maybe inspired by the stuck wah tone of Blind Man to incorporate a wah as a tone necessity himself), Eddie Van Halen dug Leslie as a kid (even sending 2 full Peavey 5150 stacks and a Peavey Wolfgang guitar to Leslie's house as gifts!) and Randy Rhoads called Leslie's playing "powerful and moody" in a Guitar Player magazine interview shortly before his untimely death.

Warren Haynes, Ace Frehley and Chris Poland ('80s Megadeth) have mentioned Leslie as an influence as well.



Heck, Hendrix even sold (gave?) Mountain the Sunn amps they used at Woodstock (that's their gear on the cover of Woodstock Two; "Blood..." and "Theme..." totally K.A.).



I usually suggest Leslie West as required listening to anyone asking for advice on learning how to play lead. His tone, phrasing and feel have always been outstanding. As a 50 year old bedroom jammer/ex band member I still get worked into a frenzy jamming with the tunes mentioned earlier.



I know,the drummer N.D. Smart II isn't as strong as the awesome Corky Laing (I read ND was 17 at the time), the production could be better (the vocals while killer could have been pulled back a hair in the mix) and "Climbing" is probably the bands alltime greatest release, but "Mountain" is still highly recommended."