While West, Bruce and Laing travel around the nation belching "Why Dontcha's" at enthusiastic audiences, it is only fair that we pay our last respects to the group that started it all for Leslie... Mountain. No matter how simple or crude the music appeared to be, Mountain made it all come alive with raw energy and fierce power. With willowy Felix Pappalardi laying the bass foundation and drummer Corky Laing and non-existent organist Steve Knight adding additional coverage, Mountain spotlighted the rugged, distorted guitar licks of massive Leslie West. Included on The Best are tunes done by Mountain at the beginning and end of their career. From the hot 'n nasty "Mississippi Queen" to the hotter 'n nastier "Roll Over Beethoven," Best of Mountain proves to be a musical avalanche of power rock.

- Ed Naha, Circus, 3/73.

Original album advertising art.
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Further reading on
Super Seventies RockSite!:

Mountain Lyrics

Mountain Videos

- Billboard, 1973.

This collection contains most of the band's recorded highlights, except for the curious omissions of "Dreams of Milk and Honey" (from the debut Leslie West - Mountain ) and "Silver Paper" (from Moutain Climbing! ). Included are "Mississippi Queen" (number 21), "The Animal Trainer and the Toad" (number 76), "For Yasgur's Farm" (number 107), and their version of Jack Bruce's "Theme for an Imaginary Western." * * * *

- Rick Clark, The All-Music Guide to Rock, 1995.

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