DESCRIPTION:
Leslie West - Mountain (1969)
Actually a solo-album called "Mountain" "by the then virtually unknown Leslie West, who played with a local band called "The Vagrants" 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 So this album is not only fine on itself but also a historical document which cast its light forward.

Tracklist:

01. Blood of the Sun (Mountain) 2:35
02. Long Red (Mountain) 3:16
03. Better Watch Out (Lesley West) 2:49
04. Blind Man (Mountain) 3:54
05. Baby, I'm Down (Lesley West) 4:03
06. Dreams of Milk & Honey (with Leslie West) Mountain 3:34
07. Storyteller Man (Lesley West) 3:06
08. This Wheel's On Fire (Lesley West) 3:19
09. Look To the Wind (Lesley West) 2:43
10. Southbound Train (Mountain) 2:59
11. Because You Are My Friend (Mountain) 3:12

Personnel:

Leslie West - Vocals, Guitar
Felix Pappalardi - Keyboards, Bass
Steve Knight - Keyboards, Percussion
Norman Landsberg - Organ, Keyboards
N.D. Smart II - Drums
Norman D. Smart - Drums

Produced by Felix Pappalardi