Extended Versions (BMG)

Performer: Mountain
Distributor: Bayside Record Dist.

Notes: The Mountain entry in BMG Special Products' budget-priced Extended Versions: The Encore Collection series is a reissue of a concert recorded by the King Biscuit Flower Hour at the Capitol Theater in Passaic, NJ, on November 3, 1974, and initially released by King Biscuit Flower Hour Records under the title Greatest Hits Live only five months earlier, in April 2000. The only difference between Extended Versions and Greatest Hits Live is that the latter contains a six-minute "bonus interview" not featured on the former. Promoter John Scher introduces the band by noting a three-year lapse between Mountain performances caused by the group's breakup. This is a reunited unit, with lead guitarist and singer Leslie West, bass player Felix Pappalardi, and drummer Corky Laing joined by new rhythm guitarist David Perry. They open with the largely instrumental "You Better Believe It,", continue with such favorites as "Theme from an Imaginary Western," "Mississippi Queen," and "Nantucket Sleighride," also throwing in "Jingle Bells" in acknowledgement of the onset of the holiday season, and conclude with a medley of the rock & roll standards "Roll Over Beethoven" and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On." The playing is powerful, and the bandmembers' stage remarks suggest they are glad to be back together. Unfortunately, the group split again shortly after the performance. ~ William Ruhlmann

Led by power-riffing guitarist Leslie West and bassist/songwriter/producer Felix Pappalardi, Mountain formed in New York City in 1969. With songs like "Mississippi Queen" and "Boys in the Band," the Woodstock alums have come to represent the fierce technique and utter heaviness (and often the unfortunate excess) of the best 1970s blues-inspired hard-rock bands. Pappalardi was tragically murdered by his wife in 1983; however, West and drummer Corky Laing continued to tour and record under the Mountain name into the 2000s.

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