Mountain

I bought this album when it first appeared on vinyl in the very late sixties (and it took a degree of effort in those days to buy anything out of the mainstream - not like today where we can surf the web etc, etc!)This album was the first album put out by Leslie with help on the desk (and songwriting, bass playing and singing too)from Felix Papallardi. These two went on to collaborate quite extensively as the core of Mountain, but this album shows quite clearly what was to come with Leslie using his gravel vocals to the max!Because of the fact that "pop" singles were just 2-3 minute "tunes" back in these days, each song fits this time frame neatly - but this is no detraction as Leslie's voice and guitar work are kept under strict control to produce an album varied in it's musical styles, with country, folk and rock all intertwined to make a wonderful opener for anyone who likes late 60's/early 70's rock styles or, of course, anyone who likes Mountain!Standout tracks are Blood Of The Sun, Long Red, Blind Man, Look To The Wind and, of course, This Wheel's On Fire - sung as it should be, with fire and passion!A great album and certainly a great place to start if you are new to Leslie's work.Enjoy!!

Great album from the big guy on guitar. Excellent remastering too.

With some CD's not giving the original publication date of the album, this being one case in point, I'm pretty sure this was released prior to Mountain the band's Woodstock appearance and continuing fame from there onward. Somehow, probably due to being a guitar freak, I'd heard of the name Leslie West, and had the vinyl copy of this album on the Windfall label on import. But no matter, if you like Leslie West's playing and the Mountain sound, then you will enjoy this. If what I have said above is correct, they took Blood Of The Sun and Dreams Of Milk And Honey onward with them into Mountain the band; this, you see, is Mountain the album with Leslie as the artiste. And every track is great and there are none you can argue are a bit second class, because they're straight down the line Mountain as you know and love them. If forced to pick out one favourite, it would be Look To The Wind, which has the toneality of Leslie's voice more plaintive and with plenty of feeling. But it's one of those tracks you fall in love with easily. Not enough to make you skip through the tracks to get to, but a nice highlight at a point on the album when you need a track with thoughtful meaningful lyrics. This Wheel's on Fire just about everyone knows and is the only cover version here. Great early Leslie West, who takes care of guitar and vocals, with Felix Pappalardi on bass and keyborads, and N D Smart II on drums. Go for it!

I'd been a fan of Mountain for a few years and didn't consider this album within the Mountain canon. I'd heard about what tunes the band played at Woodstock and I was kind of perplexed as to why a good portion of those songs weren't on the "Climbing" album. Then after digging a little bit deeper I found out that those tracks were on this album, which was in actuality a Leslie West solo record, but with bassist/vocalist/producer Felix Pappalardi helping make the thing happen. So, when you really get down to it, it IS kind of the first Mountain album. Hell, it's even there in the damn name! So that aside, it's a decent debut. Containing tracks such as the rolling "Blood of the Sun" and the classic "Long Red" (often covered by Mott The Hoople among others) and a killer interpretation of "This Wheel's On Fire", it's a solid collection of tunes with a heavy blues-rock feel. While not as strong as the other albums under the Mountain moniker, this is the real beginning of the story. West's guitar playing is a downright force of nature. It's too bad that he's not spoken in the same breath as icons like Beck, Van Halen and Clapton. While maybe not as flashy, he's had a major impact on music as a whole. How many people do you know who are cited as an influence from virtuoso's such as Michael Schenker on one side and Punk icons like Johnny Ramone on the other? None, except this man. So, if you aren't hip to it now then you damn well should be.

This record (its that old) /cd predates Mountain's fame as the American answer to Cream. It is a very good blues rock album that holds up well after all these years. Not as slick and a little more basic than the later releases but Leslie West was in fine form.Back in the 80s when rock was a bit different (heavy rock was out, got synths?) I saw Leslie and crew at their nadir in a small bar in Salem NH. Leslie wanted to get paid before performing, I cannot blame him for that and did eventually go on blowing my ears out in the small venue. Way better in a way despite the flying beer bottles, than arena rock.Truly they do not make them like this anymore but I wish they did. Foo Fighters are really no substitute.

I borrowed that headline from a Rolling Stone magazine rock critic. It applies here in spades. Leslies rhythm guitar and lead fills and Felix's fuzz bass are everywhere. Sleeper album that is not even considered a MOUNTAIN album but a Leslie West album entitled Mountain instead. Sounds just like Mountain the band. Some great tracks here that show up again on Mountain records. Wheel on Fire is a little disappointing. Lots of folks cover that song and just when it starts to jam, slow fade out. WHY??? Glad I got this disc. Had almost forgot about it. Have all the Mountain stuff. Just bought the album sleeve box set sold here. It's great and takes up less space than the individual jewel cases. Starting to buy all the Leslie West "solo" releases as well. They are all worth owning. Still looking for his recording in drag as the band Meryl Streep and Judy Garland.

Come on - it's Leslie West at his early days. Felix Pappalardi on bass and you have two great musicians making a great album. The drummer isn't bad but he doesn't have the chops of Corky Laing who would go on to replace him.

I gotta tell ya': 'summer of 1970 or '71 (it's kind of a blur at this point), this was one of 5 or 6 albums that got slammed into the 8-track in my '63 Fairlane station wagon, and would stay in there for DAYS. However, it may have been that long ago that I've heard this album in its entirety.OK, so it comes in the mail, I open it up, and stuff it in my ditty bag, fully intending to give 'er a couple-threelistenings at work, but did not get to play it, so I shoved 'er in the CD player going out the gate, and that's where things started getting wierd.................My 2007 Mercury began to smell exactly like that old wagon, to include the rank exhaust smell 'cause of the bad fuel pump & other things. The sunshine began to look more 1970, and I arrived home with my ears bleeding, one eyeabout to flee its socket, and seeing trails (That CD player can go MUCH LOUDER than the 8-track!).Leslie! Please live forever, and keep rockin'!