Blooze Company
With a career spanning some 30 odd years, my powers of reasoning deduce that West is an accomplished and talented musician before I'd even taken the CD out of its wrapper. Anyone who is still releasing albums several decades on has gotta be doing something right. Yet, despite that, I'll be the first to admit that I haven't got a clue who he is! Even the accompanying "he is most noted for his role as leader of the explosive hard rock trio, Mountain, which was named by VH1 as one of the Top 100 Hard Rock Groups of all time," doesn't fill me with a sense of recognition. Can you think of a song by Mountain?
But then I realise, West is not so 'famous' as renowned. Known within his field for being one of the best, when I really think about it, that is the type of fame I would like. For with it comes respect and that has to be earned certainly Leslie West has earnt that admiration. A career that has not just witnessed but has been active within the best of the musical scenes that the late 20th century spawned. Playing guitar from the 60s and the first era of rock, through the 70s, 80s and so on until today and his latest recording "Got Blooze"
The past has seen West reinvent himself, moving within the times yet keeping his own inimitable style. Consequently his CV runs like any music lovers CD collection- Hendrix, The Who, and Billy Joel to touch on a few.
"Got Blooze" finds Leslie West taking centre stage; gruff vocals belt our Blues standards such as 'Baby Please Don't Go' or 'Heartbreak Hotel'. Having roped in fellow session legend Ainsley Dundar and Tim Bogart, with past credits including Dunbar drumming for Zappa, Whitesnake, John Mayall and as bassist Bogart, the legendary Jeff Beck.
The result as you would expect is expert musicianship. But "Got Blooze" is an album made by supporting artistes, albeit probably a collection of some of the greatest backing musicians ever. But it's missing that vital component a star...whether that be a front man or a band. There is not a moment of exception on here. Nothing to disappoint but neither is there anything to blow you away. This is an album for people that don't really know anything about music. Because if you really love the blues, you'd invest in some John Mayall or some Robert Johnson.
This is pretty mediocre, I'm afraid I just want to say that "Leslie, you've carved a career for yourself as being top of your game. Top of the session guitarists. This is what you excel at and where you talents lie. But know your limits, you're not a star! I should stick at what you do best. The entire music industry depends on you and artists like yourself. You are instrumental (pardon the pun!) in much that is good in music. In a day and age where the talent often gets overlooked in favour of easily marketable gimmicky acts, music needs everyone and everything that facilitates the production of musical legends. Introducing the world to tomorrow's residents of the Hall of Fame. And that is why I would ask you to continue doing what you do... music needs you!"