Mountain was a great live band, and this set just validates that fact. They were one of those great power trios, influential and widely respected in the rock world. Guitarist Leslie West and drummer Corky Laing are both present on this set. This is as close as you can get to the original Mountain. At this point, only Laing is with us, still trying to keep the legacy alive.
This 6-CD set includes six shows. Five of them come from 2005, and one from 2002. It is a solid dose of Mountain, but it’s a very entertaining set. While the set lists are fairly predictable, the performances are not. Mountain comes from a time in rock music when bands took chances on stage. It is certainly the case here, Leslie West and Corky Laing still operate with that understanding in mind. These shows are smoking! There is a lot of improvisation and jamming going on here. The songs are only the skeletons for a real takeoff.
The set might seem extensive, but every single one of those shows offers something special. Now that the band is gone, this is very historic, and one is very glad the concerts were recorded. In addition to the seriousness of the music, there is a level of fun in those recordings and how the band approaches them. All of the captures come from England, where Mountain was always very highly regarded. In fact, many British bands cite Mountain and Leslie West as a major influence.
“Live in the UK” displays a legendary band at the end of their road; by 2010, the band played their last shows. None of those recordings were meant to be an official live record, but it’s a great document of what once was. This set is definitely meant for the hardcore fans who love this band or Leslie West in general. It delivers the goods, and they won’t be disappointed.
Mark Kadzielawa
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