Mountain Climbing

Polygram

This is, of course, the first album that Mountain, as a group, put out; previously released here a couple of years ago, its now re-released with the original overseas cover. As an album, it does little more than provide examples of Mountain's brand of music, and as far as that goes, I like it; but I've got my reservations, Most of the records very heavy (Mississippi Queen- being the best example, but the quieter tracks are better - Imaginary Western, The Laird— more subtle, more rehearsed. To me, most of the heavies sound as though they were stuck together in the studio to fill out the album- Corky Laing counts it in, a couple of shattering verses, lead break, a bit more yelling, and a quick fade. Ho hum. But, there's Theme for an Imaginary Western, which Mountain have made their own (have a listen to their version on Woodstock II- a real goody). For a Friend is West's accoustic solo outing and excellent; The Laird and Boys in the Band are quieter (with traces of Jack Bruce) and show more arrangement than most of the tracks, oh well, they're just better songs. Sitting on a Rainbow, Silver Paper and Never in My Life are the heavies, loud and uninspired. This is where Mountain falls down- they can obviously do better.

West's guitarring isn't at its best, but its still very good- a bit like Kurt Winter out of Clapton, notes sounding as though they're being physically wrung out of the instrument, and a vibrato that makes it a good complement to Pappalardi's voice. (West's singing is not great shakes, but I find Pappalardi's the most beautiful and skilled voice in rock). All the playings good, but its marred by the production, which places the bass a bit too low, ignores the keyboards, and eliminates half the drum kit.

—Tony Backhouse