Mountain Man Still at Top of the Heap
Grant Britt
Posted On November 9, 2015
“I been left by the roadside to die,” Leslie West bellows on his latest, Soundcheck. Although he alleges he can’t tell us how or why, one could assume he’s talking abut the amputation of his right leg from diabetes complications four years ago, that has him confined to a wheel chair. But that setback has not dampened his spirit or his power. His sound is still Mountainous, thundering through the “Roadside,” announcing that he’s still “Here for the Party,” his guitar howling like an air raid siren while West assures everyone in earshot, “I ain’t leavin‘ till they throw me out.”
But it’s not all bombast; this album features quite a few surprises. You could take bets on songs Leslie West wouldn’t touch and have “You Are My Sunshine” come up on the top of your list. Hope you didn’t go all-in. But not to worry — the guitarist didn’t go all gooey on the song or the source. West says he was inspired to do it when he heard a minor key version on the motor-psycho soap opera Sons of Anarchy. Since first popping up in 1939, the tune has passed through a variety of vocal chords, including those belonging to Bing Crosby, Mississippi John Hurt, Ray Charles, and Ike & Tina Turner. West’s vocals sound very country on this version, his searing slide work a perfect counterpoint to guest Peter Frampton’s fluid guitar phrasing.
“Stand By Me” is another unusual selection for West. The guitarist wanted to pay homage to Ben E. King’s timeless version on the occasion of King’s passing in April of this year. West says he thought the combo of his “big, fat-ass ballsy voice” juxtaposed with a sweet soprano vocal from the 16-year-old daughter of a high school friend overlaying West’s acoustic guitar would show a different side of him, and he’s right. But even with a softer tone on guitar, West’s big-ass voice makes sure that while still soulful, the tune ain’t anywhere close to mellow.
The Middle Eastern-flavored instrumental “A Stern Warning” is West’s tribute to Howard Stern, who he considers a friend. West’s cover of Curtis Mayfield’s soul classic “People Get Ready” features what the guitarist describes as violin-like swells created with his volume knob to achieve a gospel feel, buoyed by his own robust vocals. Although its been showcased in his live shows for years, this is the first time he’s put it on record.
“Goin’ Down” features everything we’ve come to expect of West: a string-bending rock extravaganza, punched up even more with Queen’s Brian May duetting with West as Bonnie Bramlett raises glorious vocal hell in the background. The cut is over a decade old, remastered for the record with new vocals by West.
West closes with another oldie, “Spoonful,” recorded live with Jack Bruce in 1988 at a bar in Poughkeepsie. It’s a stunning cut — big footed and nasty, with Bruce howling like a sinner being burned alive. His bass anchors him to the beat like a fitting with cement overshoes, while West ‘s guitar is Claptoning like a Cream revival.
Leslie West is alive and well, crawling out of a roadside ditch, covered in mud he’s too proud and ornery to wash off. With Soundcheck, he proves once again this mountain man still stands tall, ready to take on all comers.
