Album review : MOUNTAIN – Leslie West and Corky Laing, Live In The UK

October 18th, 2024 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date 25.10.24]

Highly influential New York rock band, Mountain, formed by equally influential guitarist, Leslie West in 1969, never seemed to enjoy the public profile they deserved.

Yet, the uniformly enthusiastic response they got from sellout crowds on their UK tour of the south’s industrial heartlands in the early 2000s tells its own story.

This boxset comprises 6 CDs, each of a discrete UK gig. In order, Manchester, Wolverhampton, Sheffield, Swansea, Leicester and Cardiff. Five from 2005 and the last, Cardiff, in 2002.

The original band, founded by West and Felix Pappalardi, lasted for only three years, evolving eventually into a West, Corky Laing, Richie Scarlett line up that stood the test of time.

There’s not a huge amount of setlist variation. Fans like to hear their favourites. West’s Les Paul emanates the “squeals” and “pig grunts” that he is famous for. Along with the octave harmonic screens that should be impossible for a man using only two fingers on the fret board.

The stacks and amps inherited from Jimi Hendrix have long since signed off, and the cutting edge tech of the Mountain sound in 2005 is, well… mountainous.

Each gig is launched by a fiery version of ‘Blood Of The Sun’, a track from West’s debut solo album in 1969, and one of the big moments from the band’s Woodstock set. Some songs are just more durable than others.

There can be no doubt that the band worshipped at the altar of Cream. (Let’s face it, Jack Bruce was once in the band). Rolling Stone once described Mountain as being “like Cream only louder”.
And opportunity to turn it up to 11 comes with the 1,2,3 punch of ‘Sunshine Of Your Love’, ‘Politician’ and ‘Crossroads’. A bluesy, hard rock sequence that’s repeated at four of the gigs. Each one the same, each one different. Each one a variation on a theme.

Their own calling cards, ‘Theme From An Imaginary Western’ (a Jack Bruce song, also performed by the band at Woodstock), ‘Why I Sing The Blues’ (a BB King cover) and ‘Nantucket Sleighride’ (with lyrics written by Gail Collins, wife of Felix Pappalardi, who shot him dead in 1983) get the fans at each venue onto their feet, these are the moments they’ve been waiting for.

None moreso of course than ‘Mississippi Queen’. Not much to be added to the accolades earned by the band over the years. It was their only charting single and a much covered song. Not least, and not often mentioned, by Mississippi Melodic Rock band, Biloxi on their legendary Let The Games Begin album.

Due to complications arising from his battle with diabetes, West had his right leg amputated in 2011. His response… “At least it wasn’t one of my arms”.

He died of a heart attack in 2020. RIP. ****

Review by Brian McGowan

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Power Plays w/c 14 October 2024

ALT BLK ERA Come On Outside (indie)
THE NEW ROSES Hold Me Up (Napalm Records)
ROYALE LYNN Sacrifice (indie)
BLACK NOTE GRAFFITI The Source (Golden Robot Records)
ANNIE AND THE JAYS Too Shallow (indie)
JULIET’S NOT DEAD Open Fire (TMR Rock Records)

Featured Albums w/c 14 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 KINGS OF MERCIA Battle Scars (Metalville)
14:00-16:00 JON BODEN & THE REMNANT KINGS Parlour Moods (Hudson Records)