IN MY OPINION.....MISSISSIPPI QUEEN IS ONE OF THE BEST AND PUREST EXAMPLES OF A TRUE ROCK N ROLL RIFF. Swampy and full of feel and aggression. Truly iconic tune from the golden age of riff rock!
@@jakollee Corky Laing had the words and the melody with his band prior. He was having a show with his prior band, and the power went out at the venue. So Corky Laing himself kept the show going just with his drums and vocals, improvising about some attractive Southern looking chick dancing in the front row.
I'm 77 y/o and still have this original album I purchased when it first came out! Still sounds great on my vintage Klipsch La Schalla's. Such memories......
I'm 72. I bought "Climbing" when it came out. One thing I remember about this record is how much we could hear the tape hiss coming and going as overdubs were being laid on. That being said, it's a fantastic album. (I first played it on my Sony STR 6055 with the Large Advents and then with JBL L-100's, the speakers which I still have today!)
One of the greatest tunes of all time. Leslie West carved his name in the history books with this one. I have listened to this song hundreds of times and it remains on my playlist to date. I know you spoke of the simplicity of the song on all counts, but I believe that’s what makes it so great. That’s the meal that Leslie West cooked in the studio the day he recorded it, and it’s seasoned just right. Isn’t that why we all keep coming back for seconds? There’s a groove to that song, and those guitar licks, drums, and tiny pieces of piano work compliment it perfectly. And just WOW! 👈🏻Those drums. I loved your video. It was packed with tid bits of history that I never knew. Thanks.
If "André the Giant" had a little brother; Leslie West could have been him. It amazes me how extremely Leslie's appearance changes thru different periods of his career. Of today's drummers, only Deen Castronovo hits them as hard as Corky Lainge did. But Deen sings while he does it.
Thank you for this informative pod cast... I'm 70... and remember the week this Mountain Masterpiece came out. It changed everything.. Leslie and Felix... bless them where ever they're at. Thanks Tim.... REALLY! This song deserves it. 🤔😍
I read a Guitar Player interview with Leslie West where he admitted he was not really a technically proficent 'guitarist,' just a player. Said most of what he did melodically was played only with his first 2 or 3 fingers and there was no theory to it, just habitual riffs. His rhythm playing was very tasty and emotional. Shows how much we can do with stripped-back simplicity.
I think he used to say this to be a bit self-effacing. I saw him live a few times and think he could play fast and technically but chose most of the time to simply play for the song and use the call and response and look for a sublime "tone". Sometimes knowing when to leave space is the hardest, most difficult thing.
@@colinpatton4416 Agree with everything you wrote. Leslie was surely humble and did what was right for the song, never really showing off, very much a call-and-response style. Small-world trivia: When I was a kid in Poughkeepsie my neighbor two doors down who was a drummer jammed sometimes with Leslie in local garage bands.
When I was a wee little kid - around 6 years old, I realized that my late-hippie era, acid-rock parents were no longer into music, which meant the vinyl was all mine and the excellent analog stereo was always free. And I will never forget hearing this song for the first time, and I've been a huge fan of Leslie West and Mountain ever since. One of my earliest total inspiration moments.
Mr. West showed how devilishly difficult it is to play the minimum number of notes, and how glorious it sounds. The man was a master of the pithy lick.
Thanks for this Tim. Leslie West’s performance on this tune is as badass as it gets. His solo is one of my all time favorites, along with Jimmy Page on Whole lotta Love.
Brings back some great memories for me. Went to a "Leslie West & Friends" concert in San Antonio in late '75. Some great musicians were there, Edgar Winter for one. Some poor, very cute young lass sitting near our group was clearly over-trashed and barely hanging on. When the band lit into Edgar's signature "Frankenstein" they had cranked the intro volume up so high that we felt it down to our spinal columns. Right on cue our lady friend erupted in projectile fashion as the opening synth scream blasted down the scale. She hit everyone except us, like a vomit flame thrower. The only lights on right then were massive strobes flashing away. She looked like some kind of alien creature spewing her lunch in that stroboscopic surrealism. We applauded her performance, many of her other neighbors did not. Ah yeah, the 70's baby!
@@surroundedbyjaggoffs - see, in the Sixties it would have been acid, weed, or where I'm from (Rochester NY) it would have been hash smuggled in from Toronto. Saw Quicksilver, Jethro Tull, Steppenwolf, Cactus (club), Vanilla Fudge (club), Moody Blues, and a couple others. Saw the Who in San Diego (no hash, sadly), and back in the hometown, Led Zep. Pipes of hash were being passed all around the War Memorial. Lots of smoke in the air. Likely the band was stoned, too. Ah, the Sixties!
LW was a major influence on Randy Rhoads. Two personalities that couldn't be further apart. Also two of the best guitar players to ever walk this planet. I Saw Randy with Ozzy twice in 1981 and Leslie West a few years later at a very small club..it was like he was playing in my living room.
If you check out his performance at Woodstock, it's striking how fully developed his playing was. There was a fluidity to his phrasing that eclipsed that of his peers.
Absolutely The master, Jeff Beck said West was the ultimate player for phrase & feel. After his solo on Dear Prudence(the Leslie West Band. album) Which is nothing like Beatles original, I can't disagree, using very little overdrive but plenty harmonic squeels not fast just vibrato & soul.
I recently listened to his performance of Beyond The Sea at Woodstock. Blown away If you have never listened to it do yourself a favor and pull it up on UA-cam Great song by a great guitar player ! Plays with tremendous feeling A MASTER
@@ronsalerno7122 agree, totally sublime..& if Jeff Beck found west inspirational surely all guitarists should check him out. There's -West Bruce & Laing ..3 albums worth looking out for.
I think a lot of that had to do with where he wore his guitar too. Really low slung, and if you've ever played a LP Junior of that era you know those necks were like baseball bats. Wide and thick. Seen these guys 10+ times back in Syracuse in the early 70s and they always brought it. Cactus, Humble Pie, Mountain, and of course, Lou Reed!
Leslie West is oe of my all time favorites. People forget what a consummate guitarist he was...some do. He did a tune "To My Friend" off the "Flowers of Evil" album which is an ethereal acoustic piece. I always loved this tune. Best Wishes from Virginia, Cork
I was a regular at a Manhattan club called the Rolling Stone about 1965. The Vagrants was the house bank. Leslie was the lead guitar his brother Larry on bass. I saw them play maybe 50 times. Leslie would often come to me table when on break. He was always great and a nice guy.
The Power is this tune is the Vocal Tone, so unique, with such an equally unique matching guitar sound. The Combo is perfect. The Metaphorical Love Story is also compelling.
When i first heard Mississippi Queen on the radio i was blown away by the heaviness of the song and the great guitar playing by Leslie West. The song had just been released as a single. As a rhythm guitarist i knew that i had to learn this song. I use a Gibson Les Paul Custom through a 100 watt 1972 Marshall full stack and (2) 760 Leslie Speakers and an assortment of effects. Playing rhythm guitar on this song with my rig sounds so incredible. It is kind of like Peter Frampton meets Mountain. Wished that i had learned to play lead guitar all of those years ago. I have been playing guitar since i was 10 years old ( i am 66 now) and have been playing music since i was 7 years old (i can play some 30+ instruments... mostly string instruments and drums/percussion and some keyboards).
I opened for Leslie a few times in the early 2000’s. Despite his public persona he is a sweet guy. We sat and talked gear for a bit. At the time I had a LP jr and LP special. He told me the special was a better guitar but had too many pickups and my big Marshall I used was still only half an amp (50 watts), I used the Marshall lead and bass 20 for smaller places back then as well but was too embarrassed to show him after he said that. He talked about the old days of gear he used with the vagrants I believe the band was called before his solo album and before Mountain, 2 Sam ash fuzz boxes in line. Ahhh fuzzy memories.
@@dynasticlight8706 I also became a Richie Scarlet fan after seeing him with the Bonnie Parker Band when they used to play around in the South Jersey area in the mid 70's. I know Corky Laing also did some work with Bonnie and Denny Colt from their band Tang, and that Richie was also working with Corky with his Corky Laing's Mountain project.
As I watch this I keep realizing the smile on my face! And I don’t even play. I have loved this song from the beginning and never get tired of it. So fun to listen to this! Thanks.
I, as a kid just learning guitar, randomly found a cassette tape of Mountain at the Alaska State fair in the late 70s at a little booth where a guy was selling tapes & records, posters ect. I think it had some live recordings mixed with studio cuts. West's use of melody & space was mind blowing & educational. Thanks Tim for bringing back awesome memories.
That whole album is extremely underrated in my opinion. Mississippi queen is great and all but the other tracks on the record arent talked about enough
Started listening to Leslie West in '73. His guitar sound is so unique it only takes a couple of notes to know it's him. Wonderful musician. RIP, you did it well.
I graduated HS in ‘71, yet I’ve not been acquainted with Leslie West until just now. I’m definitely going to find out more about Leslie and Mountain. Thank you for the skillful renditions and insights. Truly minimalist and essential rock.
Leslie West is the reason I started playing guitar in 1972. He was such an influence on me in those years. His music is still as fresh today as it was when it came out. Thanks Tim!!!
@timpierceguitar Tim, how the fuck, was the Woodstock version of Southbound train not included in the Woodstock movie? But they included 2 performances from Sha Na Na. Are you shittin me?
Growing up in this period I saw Mountain more than a dozen times and later played on the same bill with Leslie as a solo artist. He is one of my favorites and always an inspiration. After seeing him so many times I can say that he was very dependent on his tone. Nights when the amp was working with him it was truly magic. Early-on he plugged directly into the amp with no pedals and volume was LOUD. Without the feedback and harmonics he was frustrated so the amp performance was critical. Like Hendrix, he could make magic otherwise unattainable with “safe” tone. The success of SUNN was thanks exclusively to brilliant marketing fellow named Buck Munger who composed those great ads “Ever Felt The Sound Of The Jimi Hendrix Experience?” and placed the amps with Beach Boys, The Who, Hendrix… When Hendrix moved to Marshall he gave the endorsement gear to Felix Papalardi. There are some vintage stage shots floating around the web that show “JH EXP” stenciled on the back of the enclosures Mountain was using.
When I saw Mountain at The Fillmore East , both Leslie and Felix were using Sunn tube heads . If he didn't have the Les Paul Junior , it might have been a Melody Maker . I can also be heard from the audience on the Live Album screaming LOUDER !
I have been noodling around with this song for a few weeks. I can't get it out of my head. I saw Mountain playing during the Flowers Of Evil tour at The Academy Of Music in NYC. Of course they played Mississippi Queen. Seeing that big mountain of a man playing that little Les Paul Junior and getting those incredible tones out of it was one of the high spots in my life. On a related note, I was given a mid to late 1960's Acoustic Amplification Co. 150 watt guitar amp that had been dragged around from one place to another by a friend of mine who does not play for the last 45 years. It had paint splatter all over it and the grill cloth was torn a bit. But it worked! These are the same amps you can see at Woodstock '69 during the Santana set. They were solid state amps with the reputation of being the loudest, cleanest amps you can get. While I was cleaning it up, I pulled one of the speakers out to see what they were. I'll be damned if that little 4x12 cab didn't have SUNN speakers in it. After installing a grounded power cord on it, I dimed my Les Paul Junior and the amp to see how some of my favorite riffs sounded. Ten minutes later, the cops came and told me to lower it or stop annoying the neighborhood. I put it up for sale and it sold the next day. These are not the "Acoustic" amp that guitar center sells. There is a huge following for these amps with a forum online that has information and guys looking for small parts like the aluminum control knobs and the interchangeable cards that are designed to be changed on the fly by a tech. Very interesting.
Thanks for that shot of Leslie West Tim. I remember the first time I heard that tune in 1971 or so. My friend’s older sister put that album on the record player. My 9-year old brain was instantly melted by that massive guitar sound. Love it!!
I had the good fortune to hear Leslie West once with Felix Pappalardi and once with Jack Bruce. What I remember most is the tone and power of West's playing and how good he was with vocals. I was a huge fan and listened to his albums for many years. Truly one of the gjuitar greats with a commanding stage presence.
Had a Tom Scholz Power Soak back in the 80's, hooked it up to a Sunn Coliseum Lead (300watts solid state). Had a Gibson SG with P90's to a DOD Studio Pre amp pedal cranked! It was the sweetest sound for about a week. It roasted that power soak. Was so bummed. I didn't realize the soak was intended for 100watt tube heads. You live and you learn. I was just a kid then.
The very first time that I hears this song, I was 15 years old and I knew that I HAD TO HAVE A LES PAUL so in 1969 I purchased a Gibson Les Paul Custom. Of course I still have that axe and play it today. I have been offered ridiculous amounts of money for it. Tim, how did you ever become such a fine guitar player? Why aren't you rich and famous? I'm one of your biggest fans. Thanks this video on Leslie.
Tim! I LOVE Mississippi Queen! A gazillion years ago in high school, my crew and I ran the then brand-new auditorium (built in 1969), and we’d play this tune in there (when the place was empty!) through the main speaker cluster. To give you a clue about how HUGE this building is, it has a 70-foot wide proscenium arch (for the uninitiated, that’s the width of the opening at the front of the stage - so if you were doing a play in there, it didn’t matter how much furniture you used on the set - it STILL looked empty!). I forget now how many rows of seats it has, but the building originally seated 1,492 people. It’s a bit less than that now, because about five or so years ago, they finally took out some of the seats to make a center aisle. Originally, it only had two aisles, one down each side. When they made that center aisle, they had to break a hole in the back wall of the “house” and put in a set of double doors. The inside of the building was so big, before they installed the air conditioning, IT HAD ITS OWN WEATHER! It actually rained in there a couple of times. Good thing the seats hadn’t been put in yet. The sound system was a MONSTER! It was driven by a pair of 300 watt Crown tube amps, with a 16 ohm output @ 70 volts EACH! The speakers were BIGGER than the venerable Altec “Voice Of The Theatre” speakers. The building was made of reinforced concrete (the walls were poured on-site, then stood up with cranes and attached to one another with bolts and super heavy-duty construction adhesive!). We’d put on this song, crank it up, and you could hear it OUTSIDE!! After the first time we did that, the school administration limited us to AFTER SCHOOL HOURS for this sort of thing…
Thank you for putting Leslie West in the spotlight. Mrs Sippi Queen ;-) got Mountain out of the shadows of Cream, supported by Felix Pappalardi. Anyone remember West Bruce and Laing? Their greatest live hit was The Doctor. Funny enough I like his first ever solo album called Mountain the most, because there is more room for different styles and Felix Pappalardi's keyboard contributions. Right after that album Mountain as a band was established and all hell broke loose! One of my favourites from more recent years of his career is I'm Ready (2003 Blues To Die For). It shows perfectly what a great vocalist he was as well! And no frills.
I got to see Mountain a few times. They were always riveting! And, I got to see West, Bruce, and Laing at the Orpheum Theatre in Boston and that was one of the best shows I've ever been to. They were so tight, and the sound was huge! ✌💙💪
Back in the day, after the Grande closed, the Eastown Theatre in Detroit booked all the bands, and I was there every weekend. Mountain played there multiple times. Things I remember: when Leslie came out with that Les Paul jr. strapped on- he was so big and the guitar was so small, it looked like a ukulele . But the sound was just incredible. And the vocals of Felix was so pure. Hanging around after the show in the lobby, he happened to pop out and I got a chance to say hello.
7:49 he was a bloody big fucker that's for sure! He certainly made Les Pauls look like little bloody things on him. I saw a photo where he just had burgers all around him in a room. The man loved his burgers. 17:38 that's cool.
Cool - thanks! I came across this right after we lost him ( but lost the source) "The Sunn amplifiers that West used were of the late 1960s era and were not factory stock. The four-channel amplifier heads' preamps were wired as cascading preamps to channel one, out to the amp's power section. This is what produced the long compressed sustain and distorted overdrive of the great Mountain sound that he is well known for."
I got to see Lesie West twice - 1st time w/ Mountain, 2nd time the short lived West, Bruce and Lang. I've always rated his solo in "Theme From a Imagiary Western" as one of the top 10 all time greats.
BEST VIDEO EVER. Leslie West was a God when I was a kid. I worked in a music store (we were a SUNN dealer) and after we closed 8PM I'd crank up stuff and just enjoy myself. IMHO the key to the West/Mountain tone is not only a Junior and a Sunn amp but cheap EMINENCE speakers in a closed back cab. There was a very nerdy SUNN collector who did a long YOUTube video on Leslie's tone and the speakers are a major part. Yes the 100 watt PA head is the real deal but just about any 85-100 watt SUNN tube amp will get real, real close. I'd love to see Tim Pierce , Bonamassa or Phil X RECREATE THE RECORD. Which means - 2 guitars playing at the same time - cowbell and drums way way up in the mix - and why no live bands EVER get this song right -- the tinny almost bar room piano riff very low in the mix is a major part of the soul of the tune. Also the guitar work in that first album - "Theme For An Imaginary Western' , 'Crossroader', etc...what a great soulful player West was!
Nice to see Phil X get a mention amongst these legends. I just love the guy he makes playing a guitar appear so easy that when I am feeling low about how bad my guitar playing is becoming due to my failing memory I just go onto his UA-cam channel and get a real buzz from his amazing super positive personality. I can pick up my guitar and play badly for hours and just enjoy the good bits that I do remember. The guy is better than any anti depressant pill he is just a complete buzz, touring with Phil must be great, he epitomises positivity.
Leslie's leads were very melodic, especially on songs like "Theme for an Imaginary Western, Silver Paper, One Last Cold Kiss, Never in my Life, The Swan Theme and many others on those wonderful early first four albums. Thanks for your breakdown and RIP and Memory Eternal, Leslie West.
A song that starts as so down to earth to be a steady stream of clanks on a cowbell and then go into a heavy handed guitar with simplistic blues. Man what a song.
I learned about this band from Richie Blackmore, when he said in an interview that when Purple had heard them they were totally blown away. I proceeded to listen to Climbing. Really liked the sound. Very heavy, very aggressive. Really cool.
THANK YOU FOR THIS AWESOME story about Leslie I love everything about this video and story.When we get to heaven I pray the angels stop playing their harps and Leslie starts playing Mississippie Queen.
Thank you for this Tim. This song was such an eye opener (ear opener I should say) when I was a kid. I ran out and got the album the first time I heard it on the radio. Fortunately in Canada it was played regularly during the day. I wore that record out and it is one of the most fun songs I've ever played. So attainable for young players. It was great hearing your details on the history of the tone and strings. Great info on single pickup guitars too. What an iconic song.
The man Hendrix himself called his favorite guitar player. I've heard this song most of my life and always thought it was pretty cool. But never until watching this video did I notice the SERIOUS riffage going on in this song that never hit before just hearing it on the radio. VERY impressive! RIP Leslie, he was one bad dude.
I remember 1st hearing MQ as a young child in an elementary school cafeteria of all places during some type of function and it was riveted over that heavy groove and the emotion behind those perfectly chosen singular notes. It was an epiphany. I was fortunate to see LW twice in Boston and Dancers Massachusetts as an adult. If you weren't fortunate to witness LW's immense stage personality and his big, fat, sweet guitar tone, well, I feel sorry for you. LW was special to us old school guitarists. Very special. Thank you for your influence Leslie and Rock In Peace.
So good! Love to see Tim play this stuff! For Yasgur's Farm is probably my favorite tune from the album. It always amazes me how beautiful yet heavy one song can be. Top notch musicianship!
Mountain absolutely kicked my butt. I saw them at Goose Lake Music Festival, and they came out on the rotating stage just cranking about a billion watts of great rock. What a show, and what a great riff. RIP, Leslie.
I saw Mountain at Woodstaock. Just massive! The left side of the stage lost power for about 5-10 minutes, so Leslie went off by himself with a wonderful blown out guitar solo. Had to be there. The guy was fantastic.
About 15 years ago, this band I was playing lead in opened for Leslie West and Corky Laing, "Mountain". A true honor for me, personally. Always loved his guitar work, his touch and tone. He was promoting his new Dean signature guitar. He could've been playing any guitar cos, as the saying goes, it's in his hands. So I got to talking with him after their show. I told him how much I liked his new Dean and then I said "but I miss the Melody Maker"..... Uh-oh... ohhhhhhhhhh no.... He shot me a look of pissy disdain and annoyance and basically discounted my previous compliment and cut me down and off at the knees. But my come back was, "but there's something about that Melody Maker...." He wouldn't let me finish, turned around and stormed off. SOOOOOOO, thank so much for the vindication from your very deep and technical analysis of the P90 at the neck. I'm am most relieved, even after all these years and West's passing. RIP Leslie West
I saw Leslie West in my home town when I was in Jr High, early 70's. He had that Sunn amp and the Les Paul Jr. it was at a place called the Houston County Farm Center. It was a parabolic shaped building with only flat surfaces being the front and back of the building, no seats the floor was part dirt and part concrete. What a sound that place could produce. Local legend has it that was the first venue that Roy Orbison first wore his sun glasses on stage when he left his regular lensed one's in the airplane.
Leslie west one of the greats. Monstrous tone! Not only equipment wise but it bled through his finger tips. Heavily underrated for what he brought to the table of musicianship and sound. To truly appreciate his contribution of great riffs and tone. Look no further then his live performances sprawled all over UA-cam. Definitely brought a unique sound and tone with the likeness of Hendrix, Page, Rhoads, iommi and EVH ……. Leslie was Definitely an innovator!!!! RIP Leslie West!!!
I recall seeing an interview with Ritchie Blackmore. He mentioned he was walking down the street going to a pub in the late 60's and heard a guitar playing and was blown away by it. He thought "that's a sound I'm looking for"....who did he hear playing?...Leslie West.
I 've been listening to Mountain and Mississippi Queen alot lately...and Leslie's voice was like no other. The guitar riffs are magic. U got some great chops i might add ! Cheers 🎸🎶
I hadn't thought much about Leslie West for decades, but Mississippi Queen was on heavy replay in my late teen years. His tone was phenomenal, and the gaps make it a great platform for you to demonstrate his economical guitar work. He also had a great hard rock voice.
One of the best and most recognizable riffs in modern rock EVER! Leslie West was a Mountain of a man, and his music will live on for many years to come!
I was fortunate to see him when he was in the Vagrants with his brother at My Father's Place in Roslyn, NY back in the 60's. This was with a Fender Twin cranked ALL THE WAY UP, sounded magnificent! They did a fabulous version of "Respect", which started to chart in NYC. It was a tiny club where the likes of the Young Rascals, the Hassles (Billy Joel), and Richie Havens first got their debuts in the NYC area. Oh the memories...
The 2nd rock show I saw as a teen was Mountain. I've always loved West's playing and sound. Nobody sounded like that before. My favorite solo by him is on the studio recording of "Theme From and Imaginary Western."
This number is timeless and will make any player’s skin crawl when he’s burning it down note for note.Getting the right tone takes work,and time…Oh,and money.
Leslie is the best, the solo from "Theme for an Imaginary Western" is the first solo I learned to play and I still got it to this day! I mean it sounds like shit in comparison but I can play it and it feels as good every time!
I relate; I finally learned the chords to that song with a friend the other day and when I went for the solo (which I thought I knew by heart from listening to it) I was just embarrassingly NOT spot-on. Gonna try to make that the ONE solo I actually learn note for note, especially that final pinched harmonic is so stunning.
A song written by Jack Bruce, the influence of Cream on Leslie West cannot be overstated, his brain was melted by attending a Cream concert, it changed the man forever and resulted in the player we know and love, Cream were incredible, just amazing musicians.
@@Deliquescentinsight The way Pappalardi sings it reminds me of Bruce too, maybe its intentional? I think Pappalardi produced some Cream records too if I recall correctly.
I always loved Leslie's music. Unfortunately I never got to see Mountain live. I did however see West Bruce and Laing in December of 72 at the Spectrum in Phila. and Leslie did a show at the Cumberland County Fair Grounds in Millville, NJ sometime in the late 70's. I remember the outdoor show because Leslie played House of The Rising Sun and he announced it was the first song he learned on guitar. It was my first song also. Great memories.
Shout out to Cumberland County Fairgrounds, spent most of my late teens in Carmel NJ, right down the road. Spectrum had all the best shows but the echos in that stadium especially suck. Saw the Stones there when Keith still played, Allman Bros, a few others.
He definitely made the most out of the least. Definitely picked up a lot of my style for solos from him. Why fret a new note when you can bend it? Simple yet brilliant. God bless him.
IN MY OPINION.....MISSISSIPPI QUEEN IS ONE OF THE BEST AND PUREST EXAMPLES OF A TRUE ROCK N ROLL RIFF. Swampy and full of feel and aggression. Truly iconic tune from the golden age of riff rock!
And it even had cowbell!
@@jakollee that's because Corky Laing had written it years before he joined Mountain!
@@seanmurphy26 I didn’t know that! Cool story! (Though it seems Leslie West came up with the riff and chords.) thanks!
@@jakollee Corky Laing had the words and the melody with his band prior. He was having a show with his prior band, and the power went out at the venue. So Corky Laing himself kept the show going just with his drums and vocals, improvising about some attractive Southern looking chick dancing in the front row.
@@seanmurphy26 yes, I just read the story! Poor Corky permanently damaged his vocal chords, singing without a mic over the sound of his drums!
I was a huge fan of Mountain when I was 16 years old in 1971. I am presently learning how to play Mississippi Queen right now.
I'm 77 y/o and still have this original album I purchased when it first came out! Still sounds great on my vintage Klipsch La Schalla's. Such memories......
I have never owned s set, but, know them when I hear them !
Damn u old as hell. God bless you.
I'm 72. I bought "Climbing" when it came out. One thing I remember about this record is how much we could hear the tape hiss coming and going as overdubs were being laid on. That being said, it's a fantastic album. (I first played it on my Sony STR 6055 with the Large Advents and then with JBL L-100's, the speakers which I still have today!)
@@avlisk I really liked my advents.
@@davidhamm5626 I liked mine, too. But when I heard the JBLs, I had to get them. I didn't need both.
One of the greatest tunes of all time. Leslie West carved his name in the history books with this one. I have listened to this song hundreds of times and it remains on my playlist to date. I know you spoke of the simplicity of the song on all counts, but I believe that’s what makes it so great. That’s the meal that Leslie West cooked in the studio the day he recorded it, and it’s seasoned just right. Isn’t that why we all keep coming back for seconds? There’s a groove to that song, and those guitar licks, drums, and tiny pieces of piano work compliment it perfectly. And just WOW! 👈🏻Those drums. I loved your video. It was packed with tid bits of history that I never knew. Thanks.
If "André the Giant" had a little brother; Leslie West could have been him. It amazes me how extremely Leslie's appearance changes thru different periods of his career. Of today's drummers, only Deen Castronovo hits them as hard as Corky Lainge did. But Deen sings while he does it.
Thanks Tim ! It’s about time someone gives Leslie West the credit he is due 💥💥💥
Leslie West tone is absolutely GREAT. Tone and tasteful, simple licks = Beautiful music.
Leslie became a legend with one song. That's how genius it was. Of course, he wrote lots of great music.
for me that one song was
Kentucky Sleighride ...
@@glynnsmith4560 Nantucket Sleighride
I'm pretty sure that Corky Laing had song years before he joined mountain!
@@squeakywheel4109 lol 😝 bewdy tune BTW
@@seanmurphy26 If that's true (he's not the only writer) Mountain made it famous. Great drummer!!
Thank you for this informative pod cast...
I'm 70... and remember the week this Mountain Masterpiece came out.
It changed everything..
Leslie and Felix... bless them where ever they're at.
Thanks Tim.... REALLY!
This song deserves it.
🤔😍
I read a Guitar Player interview with Leslie West where he admitted he was not really a technically proficent 'guitarist,' just a player. Said most of what he did melodically was played only with his first 2 or 3 fingers and there was no theory to it, just habitual riffs. His rhythm playing was very tasty and emotional. Shows how much we can do with stripped-back simplicity.
I think he used to say this to be a bit self-effacing. I saw him live a few times and think he could play fast and technically but chose most of the time to simply play for the song and use the call and response and look for a sublime "tone". Sometimes knowing when to leave space is the hardest, most difficult thing.
@@colinpatton4416 Agree with everything you wrote. Leslie was surely humble and did what was right for the song, never really showing off, very much a call-and-response style. Small-world trivia: When I was a kid in Poughkeepsie my neighbor two doors down who was a drummer jammed sometimes with Leslie in local garage bands.
Mississippi Queen and Never In My Life, two songs I still listen to, and play regularly while practicing. 40 years plus. So much fun...still.
When I was a wee little kid - around 6 years old, I realized that my late-hippie era, acid-rock parents were no longer into music, which meant the vinyl was all mine and the excellent analog stereo was always free. And I will never forget hearing this song for the first time, and I've been a huge fan of Leslie West and Mountain ever since. One of my earliest total inspiration moments.
Mr. West showed how devilishly difficult it is to play the minimum number of notes, and how glorious it sounds. The man was a master of the pithy lick.
I'd put David Gilmour on the short list.
Mountain is one of the most incredible bands of all time. The years with Felix Pappalardi are legendary. So heavy
Thanks for this Tim. Leslie West’s performance on this tune is as badass as it gets. His solo is one of my all time favorites, along with Jimmy Page on Whole lotta Love.
Oh yes!
Brings back some great memories for me. Went to a "Leslie West & Friends" concert in San Antonio in late '75. Some great musicians were there, Edgar Winter for one. Some poor, very cute young lass sitting near our group was clearly over-trashed and barely hanging on. When the band lit into Edgar's signature "Frankenstein" they had cranked the intro volume up so high that we felt it down to our spinal columns. Right on cue our lady friend erupted in projectile fashion as the opening synth scream blasted down the scale. She hit everyone except us, like a vomit flame thrower. The only lights on right then were massive strobes flashing away. She looked like some kind of alien creature spewing her lunch in that stroboscopic surrealism. We applauded her performance, many of her other neighbors did not.
Ah yeah, the 70's baby!
Only in the 70's man ! 🤯 It's so TrUe 🤣
🤣🤤 what a great description I could literally see it happen.
Good times, good times....
Ahhh, good times!!!LOL 👍
@@surroundedbyjaggoffs - see, in the Sixties it would have been acid, weed, or where I'm from (Rochester NY) it would have been hash smuggled in from Toronto. Saw Quicksilver, Jethro Tull, Steppenwolf, Cactus (club), Vanilla Fudge (club), Moody Blues, and a couple others. Saw the Who in San Diego (no hash, sadly), and back in the hometown, Led Zep. Pipes of hash were being passed all around the War Memorial. Lots of smoke in the air. Likely the band was stoned, too. Ah, the Sixties!
LW was a major influence on Randy Rhoads. Two personalities that couldn't be further apart. Also two of the best guitar players to ever walk this planet. I Saw Randy with Ozzy twice in 1981 and Leslie West a few years later at a very small club..it was like he was playing in my living room.
big influence on steve morse too, and also 2 guitarists who couldnt be more further apart.
If you check out his performance at Woodstock, it's striking how fully developed his playing was. There was a fluidity to his phrasing that eclipsed that of his peers.
Southbound Train 👍
Absolutely The master, Jeff Beck said West was the ultimate player for phrase & feel. After his solo on Dear Prudence(the Leslie West Band. album) Which is nothing like Beatles original, I can't disagree, using very little overdrive but plenty harmonic squeels not fast just vibrato & soul.
I recently listened to his performance of Beyond The Sea at Woodstock. Blown away If you have never listened to it do yourself a favor and pull it up on UA-cam Great song by a great guitar player ! Plays with tremendous feeling A MASTER
@@ronsalerno7122 agree, totally sublime..& if Jeff Beck found west inspirational surely all guitarists should check him out. There's -West Bruce & Laing ..3 albums worth looking out for.
I think a lot of that had to do with where he wore his guitar too. Really low slung, and if you've ever played a LP Junior of that era you know those necks were like baseball bats. Wide and thick. Seen these guys 10+ times back in Syracuse in the early 70s and they always brought it. Cactus, Humble Pie, Mountain, and of course, Lou Reed!
One of the most underrated guitarist of all time. And simply, easily one of the best beast beat jam masterpieces of all time. 👍❤️😝
Seeing “Mountain” at the Santa Monica Civic play this song was epic!
Leslie West is oe of my all time favorites. People forget what a consummate guitarist he was...some do. He did a tune "To My Friend" off the "Flowers of Evil" album which is an ethereal acoustic piece. I always loved this tune. Best Wishes from Virginia, Cork
Tim Pierce is a class of it’s own. Your playing is so tasteful. The one fast part blew me away. Thank you so much.
I was a regular at a Manhattan club called the Rolling Stone about 1965. The Vagrants was
the house bank. Leslie was the lead guitar his brother Larry on bass.
I saw them play maybe 50 times. Leslie would often come to me table when on break.
He was always great and a nice guy.
Too cool! I saw Mountain at Woodstock.
The Power is this tune is the Vocal Tone, so unique, with such an equally unique matching guitar sound. The Combo is perfect. The Metaphorical Love Story is also compelling.
When i first heard Mississippi Queen on the radio i was blown away by the heaviness of the song and the great guitar playing by Leslie West. The song had just been released as a single. As a rhythm guitarist i knew that i had to learn this song. I use a Gibson Les Paul Custom through a 100 watt 1972 Marshall full stack and (2) 760 Leslie Speakers and an assortment of effects. Playing rhythm guitar on this song with my rig sounds so incredible. It is kind of like Peter Frampton meets Mountain. Wished that i had learned to play lead guitar all of those years ago. I have been playing guitar since i was 10 years old ( i am 66 now) and have been playing music since i was 7 years old (i can play some 30+ instruments... mostly string instruments and drums/percussion and some keyboards).
I opened for Leslie a few times in the early 2000’s. Despite his public persona he is a sweet guy. We sat and talked gear for a bit. At the time I had a LP jr and LP special. He told me the special was a better guitar but had too many pickups and my big Marshall I used was still only half an amp (50 watts), I used the Marshall lead and bass 20 for smaller places back then as well but was too embarrassed to show him after he said that. He talked about the old days of gear he used with the vagrants I believe the band was called before his solo album and before Mountain, 2 Sam ash fuzz boxes in line. Ahhh fuzzy memories.
I still have my '59 Jr. Bought to emulate the man. But I had a special b4 that. The biggest issue was the neck flex'd too much. The Jr's didn't.
Was that when he had Richie Scarlet playing bass?
Yes,it was The Vagrants .Seen them ,knew their Drummer . Opened for some great shows, back then .All from L.I.
@@dynasticlight8706 I also became a Richie Scarlet fan after seeing him with the Bonnie Parker Band when they used to play around in the South Jersey area in the mid 70's. I know Corky Laing also did some work with Bonnie and Denny Colt from their band Tang, and that Richie was also working with Corky with his Corky Laing's Mountain project.
@@jonljacobi baseball bats flee when confronted by a Jr neck.
As I watch this I keep realizing the smile on my face! And I don’t even play. I have loved this song from the beginning and never get tired of it. So fun to listen to this! Thanks.
I, as a kid just learning guitar, randomly found a cassette tape of Mountain at the Alaska State fair in the late 70s at a little booth where a guy was selling tapes & records, posters ect. I think it had some live recordings mixed with studio cuts. West's use of melody & space was mind blowing & educational. Thanks Tim for bringing back awesome memories.
Great stuff here with the musical breakdown and backstory. Thank you Sir.
That whole album is extremely underrated in my opinion. Mississippi queen is great and all but the other tracks on the record arent talked about enough
Started listening to Leslie West in '73. His guitar sound is so unique it only takes a couple of notes to know it's him. Wonderful musician. RIP, you did it well.
Leslie was one of my idols when I started to play guitar in the 70s. His feeling and tone were unique, he is definitely a Legend of Hard/Blues Rock.
Heard Leslie West on an interview say he always believed you should be able to "sing the lead guitar part" on his songs...
his solos totally sound like his voice
💯
He wasn't wrong - another good example of this kind of guitar work is the solo from 'We Don't Need No Education'.
Leslie West was a man who knew how to phrase, work his gear and create awesome music, Legendary !!!
I graduated HS in ‘71, yet I’ve not been acquainted with Leslie West until just now. I’m definitely going to find out more about Leslie and Mountain.
Thank you for the skillful renditions and insights. Truly minimalist and essential rock.
It’s hard to stop jammin with this ain’t it?! It’s the gift that keeps giving… Thank you Leslie..
that is great. leslie west is one of my favorites. thanks for the tech info
Leslie West is the reason I started playing guitar in 1972. He was such an influence on me in those years. His music is still as fresh today as it was when it came out. Thanks Tim!!!
Thanks so much
@timpierceguitar Tim, how the fuck, was the Woodstock version of Southbound train not included in the Woodstock movie? But they included 2 performances from Sha Na Na. Are you shittin me?
BEST song ever!!!
Growing up in this period I saw Mountain more than a dozen times and later played on the same bill with Leslie as a solo artist. He is one of my favorites and always an inspiration. After seeing him so many times I can say that he was very dependent on his tone. Nights when the amp was working with him it was truly magic. Early-on he plugged directly into the amp with no pedals and volume was LOUD. Without the feedback and harmonics he was frustrated so the amp performance was critical. Like Hendrix, he could make magic otherwise unattainable with “safe” tone.
The success of SUNN was thanks exclusively to brilliant marketing fellow named Buck Munger who composed those great ads “Ever Felt The Sound Of The Jimi Hendrix Experience?” and placed the amps with Beach Boys, The Who, Hendrix… When Hendrix moved to Marshall he gave the endorsement gear to Felix Papalardi. There are some vintage stage shots floating around the web that show “JH EXP” stenciled on the back of the enclosures Mountain was using.
The tone in the intro is amazing!! Really nailed the whole soul of Mississippi Queen. Such a banger!!
When I saw Mountain at The Fillmore East , both Leslie and Felix were using Sunn tube heads . If he didn't have the Les Paul Junior , it might have been a Melody Maker . I can also be heard from the audience on the Live Album screaming LOUDER !
Cool!
He also used sometimes a Flying V as far as i can remember.
That's so cool! Thanks for sharing
Sunn colosseum PA heads were his amp of choice. Crank the fucker and let er rip
The Fillmore East..., Yeah.., TURN IT UP BABY! LOUDER!
Surely one of the greatest Riffs ever. It has the driving under current that is absolutely unique
I have been noodling around with this song for a few weeks. I can't get it out of my head. I saw Mountain playing during the Flowers Of Evil tour at The Academy Of Music in NYC. Of course they played Mississippi Queen. Seeing that big mountain of a man playing that little Les Paul Junior and getting those incredible tones out of it was one of the high spots in my life.
On a related note, I was given a mid to late 1960's Acoustic Amplification Co. 150 watt guitar amp that had been dragged around from one place to another by a friend of mine who does not play for the last 45 years. It had paint splatter all over it and the grill cloth was torn a bit. But it worked! These are the same amps you can see at Woodstock '69 during the Santana set. They were solid state amps with the reputation of being the loudest, cleanest amps you can get. While I was cleaning it up, I pulled one of the speakers out to see what they were. I'll be damned if that little 4x12 cab didn't have SUNN speakers in it. After installing a grounded power cord on it, I dimed my Les Paul Junior and the amp to see how some of my favorite riffs sounded. Ten minutes later, the cops came and told me to lower it or stop annoying the neighborhood. I put it up for sale and it sold the next day. These are not the "Acoustic" amp that guitar center sells. There is a huge following for these amps with a forum online that has information and guys looking for small parts like the aluminum control knobs and the interchangeable cards that are designed to be changed on the fly by a tech. Very interesting.
Thanks for that shot of Leslie West Tim. I remember the first time I heard that tune in 1971 or so. My friend’s older sister put that album on the record player. My 9-year old brain was instantly melted by that massive guitar sound. Love it!!
I had the good fortune to hear Leslie West once with Felix Pappalardi and once with Jack Bruce. What I remember most is the tone and power of West's playing and how good he was with vocals. I was a huge fan and listened to his albums for many years. Truly one of the gjuitar greats with a commanding stage presence.
Had a Tom Scholz Power Soak back in the 80's, hooked it up to a Sunn Coliseum Lead (300watts solid state). Had a Gibson SG with P90's to a DOD Studio Pre amp pedal cranked! It was the sweetest sound for about a week. It roasted that power soak. Was so bummed. I didn't realize the soak was intended for 100watt tube heads. You live and you learn. I was just a kid then.
I saw West Bruce and Lang in concert. They were fantastic.
The very first time that I hears this song, I was 15 years old and I knew that I HAD TO HAVE A LES PAUL so in 1969 I purchased a Gibson Les Paul Custom. Of course I still have that axe and play it today. I have been offered ridiculous amounts of money for it. Tim, how did you ever become such a fine guitar player? Why aren't you rich and famous? I'm one of your biggest fans. Thanks this video on Leslie.
I always liked Nantucket Sleighride. It was a very creative song with melodies that matched the whale hunting experience very well.
Love Leslie West and Mississippi Queen. He should have been even more well known than he was. That was when rock ROCKED!
Thanks Tim, Leslie doesn't get enough love.
Tim! I LOVE Mississippi Queen! A gazillion years ago in high school, my crew and I ran the then brand-new auditorium (built in 1969), and we’d play this tune in there (when the place was empty!) through the main speaker cluster. To give you a clue about how HUGE this building is, it has a 70-foot wide proscenium arch (for the uninitiated, that’s the width of the opening at the front of the stage - so if you were doing a play in there, it didn’t matter how much furniture you used on the set - it STILL looked empty!). I forget now how many rows of seats it has, but the building originally seated 1,492 people. It’s a bit less than that now, because about five or so years ago, they finally took out some of the seats to make a center aisle. Originally, it only had two aisles, one down each side. When they made that center aisle, they had to break a hole in the back wall of the “house” and put in a set of double doors. The inside of the building was so big, before they installed the air conditioning, IT HAD ITS OWN WEATHER! It actually rained in there a couple of times. Good thing the seats hadn’t been put in yet. The sound system was a MONSTER! It was driven by a pair of 300 watt Crown tube amps, with a 16 ohm output @ 70 volts EACH! The speakers were BIGGER than the venerable Altec “Voice Of The Theatre” speakers. The building was made of reinforced concrete (the walls were poured on-site, then stood up with cranes and attached to one another with bolts and super heavy-duty construction adhesive!). We’d put on this song, crank it up, and you could hear it OUTSIDE!! After the first time we did that, the school administration limited us to AFTER SCHOOL HOURS for this sort of thing…
Leslie’s guitar tone was huge! I love his solo album “Guitarded” as well.
wicked guitahded if you're from Mass
@@hdr3553 wicked smaht comment
Thank you for putting Leslie West in the spotlight. Mrs Sippi Queen ;-) got Mountain out of the shadows of Cream, supported by Felix Pappalardi.
Anyone remember West Bruce and Laing? Their greatest live hit was The Doctor.
Funny enough I like his first ever solo album called Mountain the most, because there is more room for different styles and Felix Pappalardi's keyboard contributions.
Right after that album Mountain as a band was established and all hell broke loose!
One of my favourites from more recent years of his career is I'm Ready (2003 Blues To Die For). It shows perfectly what a great vocalist he was as well!
And no frills.
I got to see Mountain a few times. They were always riveting!
And, I got to see West, Bruce, and Laing at the Orpheum Theatre in Boston and that was one of the best shows I've ever been to. They were so tight, and the sound was huge!
✌💙💪
My ALL TIME #2 Favorite song. I was 11 years old when it was released. It simply hammered with Rock-n-Roll. #1 for me is Sweet Emotion.
Back in the day, after the Grande closed, the Eastown Theatre in Detroit booked all the bands, and I was there every weekend. Mountain played there multiple times. Things I remember: when Leslie came out with that Les Paul jr. strapped on- he was so big and the guitar was so small, it looked like a ukulele . But the sound was just incredible. And the vocals of Felix was so pure. Hanging around after the show in the lobby, he happened to pop out and I got a chance to say hello.
7:49 he was a bloody big fucker that's for sure! He certainly made Les Pauls look like little bloody things on him. I saw a photo where he just had burgers all around him in a room. The man loved his burgers. 17:38 that's cool.
Cool - thanks! I came across this right after we lost him ( but lost the source) "The Sunn amplifiers that West used were of the late 1960s era and were not factory stock. The four-channel amplifier heads' preamps were wired as cascading preamps to channel one, out to the amp's power section. This is what produced the long compressed sustain and distorted overdrive of the great Mountain sound that he is well known for."
I got to see Lesie West twice - 1st time w/ Mountain, 2nd time the short lived West, Bruce and Lang. I've always rated his solo in "Theme From a Imagiary Western" as one of the top 10 all time greats.
BEST VIDEO EVER. Leslie West was a God when I was a kid. I worked in a music store (we were a SUNN dealer) and after we closed 8PM I'd crank up stuff and just enjoy myself. IMHO the key to the West/Mountain tone is not only a Junior and a Sunn amp but cheap EMINENCE speakers in a closed back cab. There was a very nerdy SUNN collector who did a long YOUTube video on Leslie's tone and the speakers are a major part. Yes the 100 watt PA head is the real deal but just about any 85-100 watt SUNN tube amp will get real, real close. I'd love to see Tim Pierce , Bonamassa or Phil X RECREATE THE RECORD. Which means - 2 guitars playing at the same time - cowbell and drums way way up in the mix - and why no live bands EVER get this song right -- the tinny almost bar room piano riff very low in the mix is a major part of the soul of the tune. Also the guitar work in that first album - "Theme For An Imaginary Western' , 'Crossroader', etc...what a great soulful player West was!
I saw them live when MQ was a hit. Leslie played the little piano riff on guitar. I recall a looong drum/cowbell intro to MQ.
Nice to see Phil X get a mention amongst these legends. I just love the guy he makes playing a guitar appear so easy that when I am feeling low about how bad my guitar playing is becoming due to my failing memory I just go onto his UA-cam channel and get a real buzz from his amazing super positive personality. I can pick up my guitar and play badly for hours and just enjoy the good bits that I do remember. The guy is better than any anti depressant pill he is just a complete buzz, touring with Phil must be great, he epitomises positivity.
Leslie's leads were very melodic, especially on songs like "Theme for an Imaginary Western, Silver Paper, One Last Cold Kiss, Never in my Life, The Swan Theme and many others on those wonderful early first four albums. Thanks for your breakdown and RIP and Memory Eternal, Leslie West.
A song that starts as so down to earth to be a steady stream of clanks on a cowbell and then go into a heavy handed guitar with simplistic blues. Man what a song.
Tim, you are the true legend.
Leslie’s playing at Woodstock in particular “ Blood of the Sun” incredible!
The first 20 seconds of this song may be my favorite moment in music.
I learned about this band from Richie Blackmore, when he said in an interview that when Purple had heard them they were totally blown away. I proceeded to listen to Climbing. Really liked the sound. Very heavy, very aggressive. Really cool.
Tim Thanks so much for doing this special on Leslie and Mountain. You are a Blessing and a Gift to the Guitar players of the World.
Nantucket Sleigh ride is just freaking awesome! Leslie West is a legend.
THANK YOU FOR THIS AWESOME story about Leslie I love everything about this video and story.When we get to heaven I pray the angels stop playing their harps and Leslie starts playing Mississippie Queen.
Thank you for this Tim. This song was such an eye opener (ear opener I should say) when I was a kid. I ran out and got the album the first time I heard it on the radio. Fortunately in Canada it was played regularly during the day. I wore that record out and it is one of the most fun songs I've ever played. So attainable for young players. It was great hearing your details on the history of the tone and strings. Great info on single pickup guitars too. What an iconic song.
First time here...really enjoyed...and learned. I see your joy. Thank you
Make sure you subscribe this channel this way the man can get some credit he deserves it
The man Hendrix himself called his favorite guitar player. I've heard this song most of my life and always thought it was pretty cool. But never until watching this video did I notice the SERIOUS riffage going on in this song that never hit before just hearing it on the radio. VERY impressive! RIP Leslie, he was one bad dude.
It's too bad Hendrix didn't record Purple Haze through Leslie's rig. That iconic, signature riff would have sounded three times as heavy.
He said that about Terry kath
He said that about Billy Gibbons as well
Aparently he said that about Terry Kath as well
Leslie's lead playing on this reminds me of BB King's style - simple, well placed, and it "speaks". 👽✌️
I remember 1st hearing MQ as a young child in an elementary school cafeteria of all places during some type of function and it was riveted over that heavy groove and the emotion behind those perfectly chosen singular notes. It was an epiphany.
I was fortunate to see LW twice in Boston and Dancers Massachusetts as an adult.
If you weren't fortunate to witness LW's immense stage personality and his big, fat, sweet guitar tone, well, I feel sorry for you.
LW was special to us old school guitarists. Very special.
Thank you for your influence Leslie and Rock In Peace.
I saw Leslie play live. He was very impressive.
Great guitar player great singer
Tim is one of the best rock and Roll guitar players I have ever heard play. I ❤️ his music.
So good! Love to see Tim play this stuff! For Yasgur's Farm is probably my favorite tune from the album. It always amazes me how beautiful yet heavy one song can be. Top notch musicianship!
Mountain absolutely kicked my butt. I saw them at Goose Lake Music Festival, and they came out on the rotating stage just cranking about a billion watts of great rock. What a show, and what a great riff. RIP, Leslie.
I saw Mountain at Woodstaock. Just massive! The left side of the stage lost power for about 5-10 minutes, so Leslie went off by himself with a wonderful blown out guitar solo. Had to be there. The guy was fantastic.
About 15 years ago, this band I was playing lead in opened for Leslie West and Corky Laing, "Mountain". A true honor for me, personally. Always loved his guitar work, his touch and tone.
He was promoting his new Dean signature guitar. He could've been playing any guitar cos, as the saying goes, it's in his hands.
So I got to talking with him after their show. I told him how much I liked his new Dean and then I said "but I miss the Melody Maker".....
Uh-oh... ohhhhhhhhhh no.... He shot me a look of pissy disdain and annoyance and basically discounted my previous compliment and cut me down and off at the knees.
But my come back was, "but there's something about that Melody Maker...."
He wouldn't let me finish, turned around and stormed off.
SOOOOOOO, thank so much for the vindication from your very deep and technical analysis of the P90 at the neck.
I'm am most relieved, even after all these years and West's passing.
RIP Leslie West
I saw Leslie West in my home town when I was in Jr High, early 70's. He had that Sunn amp and the Les Paul Jr. it was at a place called the Houston County Farm Center. It was a parabolic shaped building with only flat surfaces being the front and back of the building, no seats the floor was part dirt and part concrete. What a sound that place could produce. Local legend has it that was the first venue that Roy Orbison first wore his sun glasses on stage when he left his regular lensed one's in the airplane.
Leslie west one of the greats. Monstrous tone! Not only equipment wise but it bled through his finger tips. Heavily underrated for what he brought to the table of musicianship and sound. To truly appreciate his contribution of great riffs and tone. Look no further then his live performances sprawled all over UA-cam. Definitely brought a unique sound and tone with the likeness of Hendrix, Page, Rhoads, iommi and EVH ……. Leslie was Definitely an innovator!!!! RIP Leslie West!!!
I recall seeing an interview with Ritchie Blackmore. He mentioned he was walking down the street going to a pub in the late 60's and heard a guitar playing and was blown away by it. He thought "that's a sound I'm looking for"....who did he hear playing?...Leslie West.
N.S. Really?
I 've been listening to Mountain and Mississippi Queen alot lately...and Leslie's voice was like no other.
The guitar riffs are magic. U got some great chops i might add ! Cheers 🎸🎶
I hadn't thought much about Leslie West for decades, but Mississippi Queen was on heavy replay in my late teen years. His tone was phenomenal, and the gaps make it a great platform for you to demonstrate his economical guitar work. He also had a great hard rock voice.
You are not wrong. Big fan myself. I will play this today :)
One of the best and most recognizable riffs in modern rock EVER! Leslie West was a Mountain of a man, and his music will live on for many years to come!
I was fortunate to see him when he was in the Vagrants with his brother at My Father's Place in Roslyn, NY back in the 60's. This was with a Fender Twin cranked ALL THE WAY UP, sounded magnificent! They did a fabulous version of "Respect", which started to chart in NYC. It was a tiny club where the likes of the Young Rascals, the Hassles (Billy Joel), and Richie Havens first got their debuts in the NYC area. Oh the memories...
Just a quick hallo roger MANSOUR FORMER VAGRANTS DRUMMER
MISSIONARY TO HAITI
Tim, you are one of my favorite guitarists ever. Thanks for these videos. Discovered during Covid. Helped get me through. RIP Leslie.
Right, Leslie is a legend. A song I love from his "West Bruce & Laing" band: "Why dontcha". 👍
‘Never in My Life” is another Mountain fave on which Leslie displays his impeccable taste and timing.
Proof less is more...The man...the tone...the vibrato...the feel...the legend...
Leslie has the sweetest vibrato I've ever heard. Unmatched!!!!!
The 2nd rock show I saw as a teen was Mountain. I've always loved West's playing and sound. Nobody sounded like that before. My favorite solo by him is on the studio recording of "Theme From and Imaginary Western."
Can I just say that you have so much joy when you play? I have been playing for over 20 years and I don't think that I have ever felt that much joy.
RIP Leslie, you could always know his licks even if he was not signing, great band also.
This number is timeless and will make any player’s skin crawl when he’s burning it down note for note.Getting the right tone takes work,and time…Oh,and money.
Leslie is the best, the solo from "Theme for an Imaginary Western" is the first solo I learned to play and I still got it to this day! I mean it sounds like shit in comparison but I can play it and it feels as good every time!
I relate; I finally learned the chords to that song with a friend the other day and when I went for the solo (which I thought I knew by heart from listening to it) I was just embarrassingly NOT spot-on. Gonna try to make that the ONE solo I actually learn note for note, especially that final pinched harmonic is so stunning.
@@homeworldmusic I just sat down again to work on it after watching this video, I never seem to get the pinch harmonic to work when I need it to lol
Definitely one of my favorite songs!
A song written by Jack Bruce, the influence of Cream on Leslie West cannot be overstated, his brain was melted by attending a Cream concert, it changed the man forever and resulted in the player we know and love, Cream were incredible, just amazing musicians.
@@Deliquescentinsight The way Pappalardi sings it reminds me of Bruce too, maybe its intentional? I think Pappalardi produced some Cream records too if I recall correctly.
I love that gritty down and dirty swamp riff
I always loved Leslie's music. Unfortunately I never got to see Mountain live. I did however see West Bruce and Laing in December of 72 at the Spectrum in Phila. and Leslie did a show at the Cumberland County Fair Grounds in Millville, NJ sometime in the late 70's. I remember the outdoor show because Leslie played House of The Rising Sun and he announced it was the first song he learned on guitar. It was my first song also. Great memories.
Shout out to Cumberland County Fairgrounds, spent most of my late teens in Carmel NJ, right down the road. Spectrum had all the best shows but the echos in that stadium especially suck. Saw the Stones there when Keith still played, Allman Bros, a few others.
Saw them open for Johnny Winter. Leslie was huge. Great opening act. Winter played for 30 minutes and left. We booed and wouldn’t leave.
He definitely made the most out of the least. Definitely picked up a lot of my style for solos from him. Why fret a new note when you can bend it? Simple yet brilliant. God bless him.