Before listening to Mountain’s recent release, “Mystic Fire,” I really didn’t know much about the band. I knew they were a 70’s rock outfit and also that the all too familiar “Mississippi Queen” from their 1970 debut album was their one big hit. I’ve since learned via ubl.com that Mountain played their fourth live show ever at Woodstock and they released only a few albums before breaking up in 1972. Everything since then has been a variety of other projects that never really took off for the band’s members: Leslie West (guitar), Felix Pappalardi (bass and former Cream producer), and Corky Laing (drums). Mountain did a few reunions here and there until Pappalardi’s death in 1983 (he was shot and killed by his wife). West and Liang have worked together intermittently since and “Mystic Fire” is their latest effort under the name Mountain.
Mountain is a fairly cut and dry band that plays blues inspired power rock. I had hoped “Mystic Fire” would show some progression or slight modernization of their sound, but they still seem trapped in a mediocre 1970’s hell. Of the album’s ten tracks there are only three interesting one and those are each a remake of some kind.
“Fever” is a remake of the Little Willie John made into a hit in 1958 by Peggy Lee. The song has been covered numerous times since then and I guess Mountain decided it was their turn. Liang and West rock it up quite a bit with wailing guitar work and gritty vocals giving the track a dark and dirty feel. The only problem is West’s bit of spoken lines in the middle of the track about ‘having fever and having to go to the drugstore.’ It’s entirely unnecessary and makes me feel like the song got pulled from a movie. Though “Fever” has never been a favorite song of mine, Mountain does a decent rendition and it’s one of “Mystic Fire’s” better moments.
“Johnny Comes Marching Home” is a hard rock instrumental version of the traditional song. I find this to be an interesting choice for a cover and despite West’s extraneous guitar noodling it comes off well. I think it would have made more of an impact had the percussion been the focal point, but the guitar is undeniably fabulous.
“Nantucket Sleighride” is a redo of Mountain’s song originally written by Felix Papparaldi and Gail Collins (the wife who killed him!). The song opens with a hauntingly beautiful string arrangement before breaking into more blistering 70’s guitar. The tune is about a man leaving his wife/girlfriend behind for three years while he sails on a whaling boat. I’ve heard the original version before and this revamped one is just as enjoyable although the line, “On a search for the mighty sperm whale” just doesn’t strike me as your usual guitar rock fare.
The other songs on “Mystic Fire” lack any sort of oomph. They are all run of the mill 1970’s rock and if that’s your thing you might just enjoy the rest of this album more than I do. Unfortunately, the other tracks leave me feeling like Liang and West are trying desperately to ride the coattails of a band named Mountain that is already well over the hill.
Track Listing:
1. Immortal
2. Mystic Fire
3. Fever
4. The Sea
5. Mutant X
6. Better Off With the Blues
7. Mountain Express (Oh Boy)
8. Marble Peach/Rotten Peach
9. Johnny Comes Marching Home
10.Nantucket Sleighride (Redux)
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