It’s with that tough sensibility we’ve come to know from the ex-Mountain lead guitarist and singer that Leslie West named his new 11-song CD Still Climbing. West lost a leg to diabetes in 2011 and even thought about quitting music, but man we’re lucky he didn’t. “Dyin’ Since the Day I Was Born” opens with a big chunk, low down bass and simple bass riffery from West, with his growl of a voice up to perfect form, and Mark Tremonti from Alter Bridge and Creed on guitar.
“Busted, Disgusted or Dead” with a Johnny Winter and West dueling slide playing starts slow and slinky then just explodes in a western showdown like Johnny Winter and West dueling slide; it’s thick, plotting and perfect.
The almost Beatles like acoustic opening of “Fade Into You” lulls one into the security of what could be assumed will be an acoustic ballad with West singing perfectly over his picking. But just as we think we are in the throes of some softness the tune wails wide with power chords and such a clear cutting lead tone from West. Things are certainly more ballad-y on “Tales Of Woe” with West’s growl, acoustic guitar and sad mournful electric slow playing; nice sparse stuff here.
A solid piano opens West’s rockin’ version of Anthony Newley’s “Feeling Good,” a song Traffic made their own way back when. This redemption big plotting tune features big delivery on every note and lyrics, with West trading vocals with Dee Snider of Twisted Sister. I love the shouting chorus and pushing slide on “Hatfield or McCoy” I feel we’re in American Indian chanting territory here. Mountain’s “Long Red’ gets a new read here with a B3 pushing even heavier on this version West has performing in his own way for years now.
There’s a piano/organ and crying electric “When A Man Loves A Woman” here, about as good a version of this classic made popular by Percy Sledge as any you’re likely to hear. In this version West trades vocals and guitar licks with the spectacular Johnny Lang. I love West duets with all these guests here, it makes Still Climbing, a truly great CD, even better.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
