Mountain

If you ask a music lover to describe the band Mountain, they will probably describe them as heavy rock or heavy metal, and founder Leslie West definitely wanted to go in that direction. But they were a lot more than just a heavy band and bassist & producer Felix Pappalardi definitely tempered the heaviosity with some more subtle touches, although when they were heavy, they were one of the strongest bands around.
Drummer Corky Laing and keyboards player Steve Knight rounded out the classic lineup and featured on most of the bands best known numbers.
This is generally considered the best of the Mountain compilations and covers all their most familiar numbers as well as many others that show of the bands talents.

There is a strong Cream influence on much of Mountain’s music – West was heavily influenced by Eric Clapton and Pappalardi was the engineer and producers for most of Cream’s work. Tracks like ‘Southbound Train’ or ‘Blind Man’ really show this side of Mountain.
But then there are the classic tracks such as ‘Mississippi Queen’ that take the music in a much more powerful and Heavy Rock direction.
‘The Great Train Robbery’ shows off West’s slide guitar over a lively piano from Knight.
Mountain’s version of Jack Bruce’s ‘Theme From An Imaginary Western’ is a perennial favourite and bridges the two – West’s vocal is remarkable.
There is also an influence from the more Progressive English bands, mainly through Knight’s keyboards, and especially on the live favourite ‘Nantucket Sleighride’.

The booklet with the 2CD package is excellent, as is the sound quality.
If you are looking to get into Mountain, this is a fine way to do it.