Description
Mountain – The Best Of Mountain – Vinyl Record
The Best of Mountain is a compilation album by American hard rock band Mountain, originally released in 1973. Known for their powerful sound, Mountain became one of the pioneering bands in heavy rock and blues rock, led by guitarist Leslie West, bassist and producer Felix Pappalardi, drummer Corky Laing, and keyboardist Steve Knight. This compilation captures the essence of the band’s work, combining their heavy riffs, bluesy undertones, and West’s signature guitar style.
The album features Mountain’s most well-known tracks, including classics like “Mississippi Queen” and “Nantucket Sleighride (To Owen Coffin),” offering a well-rounded look at their influential contributions to hard rock and their role in defining the genre. With songs that highlight both their high-energy rock anthems and more intricate, blues-inspired compositions, The Best of Mountain showcases why Mountain has been influential for decades.
Mountain was formed in 1969, and their style was heavily influenced by the blues-based rock of Cream, with whom Pappalardi had worked as a producer. Leslie West’s powerful guitar tone and vocal delivery, combined with Pappalardi’s bass and production talents, helped Mountain quickly gain attention as one of the hardest-hitting acts of the era. They became known for their heavy, riff-driven sound and intricate arrangements that brought together rock, blues, and even classical influences.
The Best of Mountain captures the band’s dynamic range, from the raw, heavy rock sounds to more expansive, melodic pieces. This diversity is a testament to the band’s musicianship and their ability to fuse different influences into a unique and powerful style.
Key Tracks
‘Mississippi Queen’ – Perhaps Mountain’s most iconic song, this track features a thunderous riff, cowbell, and West’s gritty, powerful vocals. “Mississippi Queen” became a defining song in hard rock, capturing the band’s energy and blues-rock roots.
‘Nantucket Sleighride (To Owen Coffin)’ – A lengthy and complex track that mixes hard rock with progressive and folk elements, this song tells a haunting story of whaling and survival. Its shifting rhythms, melodic guitar work, and storytelling lyrics make it one of the band’s most ambitious compositions.
‘Theme for an Imaginary Western’ – Written by Jack Bruce and Pete Brown, this ballad highlights Mountain’s softer, more melodic side. Pappalardi’s rich bass lines and West’s emotional guitar solos bring a contemplative depth to the song, making it a fan favorite.
‘For Yasgur’s Farm’ – A tribute to the site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival, where Mountain performed, this track has an uplifting feel with a powerful chorus and evocative lyrics. It reflects the band’s connection to the counterculture movement of the time.
‘Never in My Life’ – Driven by a heavy, distorted riff and a relentless beat, this song epitomizes the band’s hard-hitting sound. The track’s energy and West’s blues-inspired guitar solo make it a standout on the compilation.
‘Blood of the Sun’ – Originally from Leslie West’s solo album Mountain, this song features infectious riffing and a driving beat that perfectly showcases West’s guitar prowess and powerful vocal style.
‘Crossroader’ – This track has a gritty, bluesy feel with introspective lyrics and a slower tempo. It captures the band’s versatility, shifting from heavier rock elements to blues with ease.
‘Don’t Look Around’ – Known for its catchy chorus and intense guitar lines, this song combines energetic rock with bluesy vocals, making it a quintessential Mountain track.
Mountain’s music often reflects themes of freedom, nature, and personal struggle, alongside more story-driven narratives like “Nantucket Sleighride.” Their songs are built around West’s raw, powerful guitar playing, Pappalardi’s intricate bass lines, and Laing’s driving drums, creating a powerful, full-bodied sound. The production, much of it handled by Pappalardi himself, emphasizes the band’s instrumental power while allowing room for melodic exploration, giving Mountain’s music both weight and emotional depth.
The combination of blues-rock riffs and melodic arrangements in The Best of Mountain showcases the band’s mastery over both heavy rock sounds and more introspective, poetic expressions, making this compilation a comprehensive look at their work.
The Best of Mountain has been widely appreciated by fans and critics as a definitive collection of the band’s best songs, capturing the peak of their influence in the rock and hard rock genres. Mountain’s music has influenced countless artists in heavy rock, blues, and even early metal, with songs like “Mississippi Queen” becoming enduring rock standards.
Mountain’s powerful sound and distinct style contributed to the evolution of hard rock in the 1970s, and their legacy continues to be felt in the genres of rock, blues, and metal. The Best of Mountain remains an essential album for fans of classic rock, offering a look at a band that helped define the sound of heavy music and left an indelible mark on rock history.
Featuring Leslie West & Fleix Pappalardi
Gatefold Jacket
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Never In My Life
Taunta (Sammy’s Tune)
Nantucket Sleighride (To Owen Coffin)
Roll Over Beethoven
For Yasgur’s Farm
The Animal Trainer And The Toad
Mississippi Queen
King’s Chorale
Boys In The Band
Don’t Look Around
Theme For An Imaginary Western
Crossroader
