Leslie West - Soundcheck

  by Lisa Torem

published: 11 / 1 / 2016

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‘Soundcheck’ is Mountain guitarist Leslie West’s sixteenth solo album. Not only is it seriously this year’s stunner, but also it is beautifully enhanced by guest artists Peter Frampton and Brian May, keyboardist Max Middleton, vocalist Bonnie Bramlett and the late Cream bassist Jack Bruce. West rose to fame in 1969 as the dynamic singer/guitarist in Mountain. Since that time, his rough-hewn vocals and mastery of acoustic and electric guitar has inspired Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre as well as Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, Richie Blackmore and countless others. When West sets out for the studio, he doesn’t mess around. ‘Left By The Roadside to Die’ is a fantastic introductory tune. Savage slide and intricate voicing heighten the stakes and if a smoking pistol could sing it would sound exactly like Mr. West. If you enjoyed Phoebe Snow’s ‘Give Me One Reason’ the first time around, you’ll love how West monkeys with those rhythms. “I don’t want no one to squeeze me/They might take away my life”, he worries. The blazing electric guitar shares space with the rockin’ keys. “I like the words and the groove of the track is a great one to solo over,” he explains. ‘Here for the Party’ celebrates raucous decadence. He shows up at this soiree fully equipped for hell raising. “I may not be a ten but the girls say I clean up…” True, West can sound like he swallowed a can of turpentine, but he can also sing tenderly as he shows when he performs the classic ‘You are My Sunshine’. Although this song’s been widely covered, this rendition will unquestionably melt your heart. He trades solos with Peter Frampton and joins him harmonically. West’s slide work is to die for. West says that his modal ‘Empty Promises Nothin Sacred’ is a tribute to AC/DC. It’s a flattering tribute. ‘A Stern Warning’ incorporates as much of a blues feel as it does classical. It’s a breathlessly executed instrumental that shows off West’s extraordinary skills. He serves up bewildering tunings, bright harmonics and delightful dynamics. ‘People Get Ready’ follows. It has a grounded gospel flavour. ‘Going Down’ includes the talents of guitarist Brian May, keyboardist Max Middleton, bassist David Hood and organist Bobby Whitlock. The vitality is so intoxicating you may need to come up for air. The second instrumental is the Beatles’ ‘Eleanor Rigby’, which is cleverly bathed in lower register counterpoint. The finale is a spectacular version of Willie Dixon’s ‘Spoonful’- although this song has also been widely covered, West doesn’t cower one bit and why should he? This recording showcases a gig he did with Jack Bruce - on it, Bruce’s live work is edited down and West plays some incredible lead.

Track Listing:-

1 Left By The Roadside To Die
2 Give Me One Reason
3 Here For The Party
4 You Are My Sunshine
5 Empty Promises / Nothin' Sacred
6 A Stern Warning
7 People Get Ready
8 Going Down
9 Stand By Me
10 Eleanor Rigby
11 Spoonful

Band Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/lesliewestmountain/
http://www.mountainrockband.com/main.php
https://twitter.com/lwestmountain

Label Links:-

http://www.mascotlabelgroup.com/
https://www.facebook.com/mascotlabelgroup
https://twitter.com/MLG_Rocks
https://instagram.com/mascotlabelgroup/

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