THE LESLIE WEST BAND BPL 1-1258 (-75) US

 Been a long fan of Mountain's groundbreaking rock'n'roll. The blend of outstandingly raw and soft melodic, often with meaningful lyrics, always gets me. For more on them check this  https://monolover.blogspot.com/search?q=%28M%C3%96U*%29  . So when I saw this in a bin a while ago I had to pick to see if it had some of the old band's magic. It was his second album after Mountain and the West, Bruce, Laine project. His old drummer mate Corky Laine still in while Pappalardi was gone and here replaced by Don Kretmer (Blues Project) on bass. Mick Jones (Spooky Tooth, Foreigner) fills in on guitar and renowned studio musician Ken Ascher plays keyboards. All cuts, except "Dear Prudence" and "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place" written by the band. Listening today I do get some of the old magic.  The heaviest numbers - "Money (Watcha Gonna Do)", "By The River" and "The Twister" - sounds just like Mountain in a very good way and the instrumental "Sea Of Heartache" comes with an appealing doomsday feeling. I know it's futile to compare the bands, but on some parts here I really miss Pappalardi's softer, more melodic, input. Especially on the covers. Both very ok listening yet to my taste non of them come close to the Beatles or Animals originals. In all still a very good rock album and I guess a must for any remaining Mountain fan. Released on vinyl also in Canada (RCA Victor BPL 1-1258) and UK (Phantom PHS 701), plus as US cassette and 8-track. Japan 2010 CD on Air Mail Archive AIRAC-1578). First US had label as shown here in a laminated cover. (YZÄ*) (MÖU*)