Search - Mountain :: Flowers of Evil (Mlps)

Excellent! - Classic!

Edward lee | Jacksonville, FL United States | 11/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A "must have" for anyone who is remotely interested in progressive rock from the 70's. Side 1 (of the original record) consists of studio recorded tracks; Side 2 is a live recording, commencing with Roll over Beethoven followed by the Dream Sequence. Play the first track and go straight to side 2 - you will not be disappointed.



This CD is the epitomy of classic rock. Very underated. Not only is Leslie West's guiter playing oustanding throughout - it is the overall rhythm and synergy of the band and which ooze forth, that gets your attention. The recording quality of the studio takes are good; the live recording is so so, but is more than made up for, by the quality of the music."

Leslie West; MVP

PHILIP S WOLF | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA | 08/01/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is almost a forgotten Record from the Band known as: "Mountain", and that is a shame.



With an excellent studio side, and the second side of this record that contains; "Dream Sequence" which in only 29 Minutes, just might be the most exciting live display of live guitar work ever captured on tape.



Side One: "The Pappalardi Side" shows the Group in fine fashion as a Good Heavy Hard Rock Band. The opener: "Flowers of Evil" has never gotten it's due as one of Mountains very best songs. Felix Pappalardi, was a veteran studio wizard by this point in his career, and as a songwriter, one of the very best as well. His work with the Band, "Cream" is very big proof of his greatness, and here on this Record his Bass Playing and Vocals are the "Ying" to Leslie West's "Yang". Leslie West, what can you say? In my opinion Leslie, along with Joe Walsh are the two most underrated Guitar Heroes of the Rock Era. Leslie, adds the right touches to this Music and really Rocks-Up the Music of Felix Pappalardi, that would just be too pretty or soft without his playing skills.



With the instrumental: "King's Choral" and "One Last Cold Kiss" the softer side of the Group does show through as these belong to Felix, and as Leslie does add Guitar touches here and there, these two songs are as 'Pretty' as Mountain will ever be on Record. "Crossroader" is your typical Hard Rock/Bluesy Song, and here Leslie is allowed to step up more as he has some fine solo guitar featured. The closer of the Studio Side is: "Pride and Passion" and it does not sound like Mountain at all, this Track is almost all Felix using his studio tricks and gimmicks, I skip over this one to get quickly to the: "Live Side" and my favorite Mountain Music of all.



Side Two: "The Leslie Side" this amazing live music is taken from The Fillmore East in 1971. This is the Summit, here we have the High Point of all Music, Mountain. Leslie is on fire on these Live Tracks, he has lot's of room to solo and sing, this is his spotlight. It all begins with a Solo, and right into: "Roll Over Beethoven" with his heavy chording and lead runs, Leslie sounds like three guys here, nobody was more on top of his playing in 1971, as Leslie is right here. This Music, is way beyond great. With a bit of applause we now switch to another part of the same show and right into: "Dreams of Milk and Honey" and Leslie steps it up a few notches higher with his Tones and Phrasing, he gets every note right, he never overplays but he does show some fantasic Showmanship for an almost silent crowd that has got to be gasping here. Leslie and Felix play with the Theme and bend and change it up, but they never loses focus. There is no: "Pointless-Jamming" in this Music. This is quite simply great Rock Music. It all builds into: "Swan Theme" and then it ends. And at over 25 Minutes of Music it is over TOO SOON.



The Closer and probably the Encore is of course: "Mississippi Queen". I have heard this Song played many times on many Records, but for me this one IS the version, the definate one.



This is my favorite Record by one of my favorite Bands. As Mountain will never get recognized as one of the Greatest Hard Rock Bands of America and a forerunner of Heavy Metal, so be it. Rolling Stone Magazine and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are not chasing Mountain or Leslie West down and honoring them with any awards, and they most likely never will. For me it's all Good, some of us ARE aware. Mountain were one of The Great Ones, and this Record: "Flowers of Evil" was their Moment.

Five Stars !!!

"

Dream sequence indeed!!!

Phil K | Ohio | 10/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For a newbee just getting into Mountain...heres where to start, along with Sleighride and Climbing. And to anyone interested in the current "jam band" revival...check out Dream Sequence to hear a band jamming that won't put you to sleep with aimless noodling {Phish, the Dead,etc} Bands like Cactus,Cream,Mountain,etc. routinely took off into uncharted territory onstage...sometimes with better results than others..and this was obviously a good night. If there ever existed a more powerful guitar tone..or guitar PLAYER..than West, i haven't heard it! Although he's still great, Leslie was at his best in Mountain...left to his own devices, without Felix to reign him in and provide good song structure, he kinda relies too much on standard blues/rock fare..while not a bad thing..doesn't have the power he did here. And whether he hated Steve Knight or not, the keyboards added an atmosphere that i really miss."