As the sun sets in the west, the credits roll
249. Mountain "Theme From An Imaginary Western"
In New York City in the late 1960's, one of the most unlikely rock star success stories occurred. Bassist Felix Pappalardi was a doctor's son from the Bronx who made his living as an arranger and producer, most notably for Cream (later he'd produce punkers The Dead Boys). This polished professional met Leslie West, a rotund garage band veteran from Queens. His band, The Vagrants, were a favorite of fellow Queens boy Johnny Ramone. They cut a nice rough cover of Otis Redding's 'Respect,' but Aretha Franklin's version was released the next day and buried them. Atlantic records asked Pappalardi to produce a solo album for West. West's rawness contrasted nicely with Pappalardi's sense of polish, so they made a full fledged band out of it, and against all odds became huge for a few years, perhaps the most unlikely looking rock star pair ever.
With recordings like this it's easy to see why. Pappalardi took this Jack Bruce composition from his tenure with Cream, but Mountain made it indelibly their own. West's clean, muscular guitar tone (this song contains some of his best soloing) against the resolutely plodding rhythm section and Steve Knight's simmering organ create a perfect epic, dusty feel for the imaginary western of the title while remaining too tight to ever sprawl or flounder.Pappalardi takes the lead vocal here, a brilliant stroke since the song is much more suited to his smooth tenor than West's customary throaty rasp. Songs like this have always been popular and give you a nearly irresistible urge to gaze longingly at the horizon, since they contain an ingredient missing from so many modern lives: grandeur.
(Note: Felix Pappalardi was tragically shot by his wife in 1983.She was convicted of criminally negligent homicide.)
In New York City in the late 1960's, one of the most unlikely rock star success stories occurred. Bassist Felix Pappalardi was a doctor's son from the Bronx who made his living as an arranger and producer, most notably for Cream (later he'd produce punkers The Dead Boys). This polished professional met Leslie West, a rotund garage band veteran from Queens. His band, The Vagrants, were a favorite of fellow Queens boy Johnny Ramone. They cut a nice rough cover of Otis Redding's 'Respect,' but Aretha Franklin's version was released the next day and buried them. Atlantic records asked Pappalardi to produce a solo album for West. West's rawness contrasted nicely with Pappalardi's sense of polish, so they made a full fledged band out of it, and against all odds became huge for a few years, perhaps the most unlikely looking rock star pair ever.
With recordings like this it's easy to see why. Pappalardi took this Jack Bruce composition from his tenure with Cream, but Mountain made it indelibly their own. West's clean, muscular guitar tone (this song contains some of his best soloing) against the resolutely plodding rhythm section and Steve Knight's simmering organ create a perfect epic, dusty feel for the imaginary western of the title while remaining too tight to ever sprawl or flounder.Pappalardi takes the lead vocal here, a brilliant stroke since the song is much more suited to his smooth tenor than West's customary throaty rasp. Songs like this have always been popular and give you a nearly irresistible urge to gaze longingly at the horizon, since they contain an ingredient missing from so many modern lives: grandeur.
(Note: Felix Pappalardi was tragically shot by his wife in 1983.She was convicted of criminally negligent homicide.)
Comments
Jukebox classic: the lush raises his head and says, "What is this song I love so much?"