Leslie West - Crossroads - World Trade Center

[bornin59]

Hey ya got to give it to the heavy set Jewish boy from New York, he's a bad ass on that guitar. Recover medically, Les and keep rockin'.

[blitzman64]

It's a shame that after 1970 Clapton doesn't have the balls to crank it up and go with it anymore.

Leslie's just got better from then.

West,Bruce & Laing were a bit loose on Cream numbers but imagine this with Jack giving it some!!

Leslie ROCKS!!!

[Hildy2E]

Get well soon Les!!! We're praying for you!

[depper]

Lets all pray for the great Leslie West. Leslie underwent emergency surgery after being admitted to a hospital in Biloxi, Mississippi, on Saturday when his leg started to swell and his foot went septic. The doctors tried for two days to save it to no avail. The decision to amputate was one that was necessary to save his life. Leslie is expected to recover but faces extensive rehabilitation. We are all prayin' for ya Leslie!

[Hildy2E]

@depper Couldn't agree with you more. I am heartbroken over this. I am diabetic as well and am always afraid of complications. I am taking care of myself but that really doesn't matter with this disease. I also have a close family friend who lost his leg under similar circumstances. I pray for Leslie, his wife Jenn and the rest of the Weinstein (West) family. They are going to need all the strength they can get.

[305bigdad]

@depper Wow, I didn't know that. Thank you for the update. Get well soon Leslie!

[nikon052952]

who is the bass player?.... he sounds like jack bruce

[jclev99]

even the 5150 can souind good when in good hands

[cb3961]

Clapton is wayyyyyyy over rated anymore in my book, except for his work with Cream and Derrick and the Dominoes, he's ho-humm imho... I saw him 3 times and was never impressed in the least...saw Leslie in the early 90's at a small club in Cleveland, MUCH better show...

[LuckyLeBone]

"Eric who"?

[Broughmo]

Leslie's tone shook those towers! Love his tone & Vibrato

[mrmike1806]

This was great, but Cream's version was a variation that bordered on originality and this does not.

[quikvmax]

This version makes you want to run a 100mph on a backroad at midnight with some trailer park hottie and a fifth of MD 20/20.Love it.

[shadownglass]

With all due respect to Leslie and Skynyrd, Clapton and Cream will forever own this song, after Robert Johnson of course. Skynyrd and Mountain are two of the most bad ass, in your face rock and roll, boggie bands I ever saw in person. But even with three of the greatest guitar players ever, Skynyrd can't even begin to capture the emotion and feel that Eric has with just his one guitrar and Marshall. Eric's two guitar leads are some of the best guitar leads ever, never plays the same lick twice.

[defthammer]

Glad the lad dropped so much weight. I should follow suit. Rock on, Les

[msaintpc]

Killerrrr!!!!!

[larry45044]

yeah i saw him at bogarts in cini oh. 1980 what a master of the six string! i will never get tired of rich sounding guitar leads he is truely the cream of the crop

[gorblimey61]

Pretty amazing how he can solo like that and never even use his pinky.

[governorgilf]

Leslie has good tone here, but 5150's through Marshalls are always going to sound good. This version isn't very remarkable. Cream's version is still the best, and really, one of the best songs ever. Clapton was at his finest then. It's good to see some of these elder statesmen of classic rock still playing.

[depper]

Ive only heard Clapton nail Crossroads once, on that album from the 70s you are referring to. Leslie plays a much harder, bluesier Crossroads. Leslie's vocal power seems to blow Clapton right off stage.

Leslie = the better Crossroads in my book. But I agree, I love to see the pioneers still playing!

[TheStealer69]

Lynyrd Skynyrd does a real good version of this song also. And ask yourself would either of them come up with this version of Robert Johnson's classic without ever hearing Creams version. I dont think so. And they would agree as both bands were heavely influenced by Eric, even Jimi said Eric influenced him.

[depper]

I love Skynyrd, and have heard them do Crossroads. Just doesnt do it for me.

Jimi also said Leslie West was his favorite guitarist to listen to :)

That whole era of late 60's guitarists influenced each other. Funny that now with all this technology, so few "up & coming" true talents are roaming the Rock n Roll landscape.

[TheStealer69]

Your absolutely right man... I heard Jimi Loved Billy Gibbons too. But I'm with you ...Greeny, Kossof, Taylor, Beck, etc......all those guys were trying to out do each other with RESPECT to one another. I'm 40 now and picked up the guitar 3 years ago because I was sick of the music that was being pushed on the radio. I'd rather hear someone bend a note with Great Tone than throw a barrage of notes at me. And Guitarists like Buddy MOTHER FUCKN" Guy are still out there to go see !!!!

[SteveGaines]

@TheStealer69 Ronnie Van Zant always said "CREAM" was the best band he ever saw live...and they always did it as a tribute to the band and Allen Collin's hero..ERIC CLAPTON...

[msaintpc]

@depper depper, that's some 24kt truth you're spitten' out in this comment. I agree with you 100%.

[spacepatrolman]

@depper When the cream performed they only used one marshall at a time with one in reserve in case one blew who knows how many leslie west and blue cheer use

[ALBERTromano1965]

@depper Thanks for your comment tio governorgilf. I agree with you 100% Leslie West is better than Clapton. There is no comparison. Leslies tone is much thicker. Its just a more aggressive approach to playing than what Clapton did. Im glad the Twin towers got a send off by the greatest guitarist of our time Leslie West.

[larry45044]

clapton vs west  both are remarkable just glad i was around back then to soak it up!!! i just couldnt pick a favorite diffrent styles

[psychkoala]

Great job on this one, Leslie !

You're still the man.

[Giglinger49]

wie der Wein,je älter umso besser

[burgersoft777]

Les makes ever guitar he holds look like a kiddies 3/4. His hands are twice the size of mine.

[TheLordHodne]

I know!! Glad I'm not the only one who can see the hands ;)

[AZmaxblues]

I am going to see Leslie if I had a choice. Go view Clapton and Sonny landreth on stage together - Clapton gets schooled. You can tell he doesn't want to play after hearing Sonny.

[burgersoft777]

Clapton is a lazy sod and always will be.

Frankly he is overated Leslie is the mainman and could never be overated.

[MWLUCKY]

I was backstage at this show at the World Trade Center, a month before 9/11. It was about 95 degrees but the band was on fire. Leslie's whale sounds on Sleighride were not to be believed.

[depper]

..actually I believe it broke 100 degrees... appx 102-103F. It was brutally hot that day...

I REMEMBER those whale sounds... Leslie and Corky were in PRIME form. Legendary gig.

[66mate21]

please all it takes commitment and years to play like leslie west , erick clapton, and the rest,i have played guitar for 40 years and still i wish i could play like them.

[panheaddan1]

i hear u brother, saw mountains last concert in long beach , ca. w felix popalardi. up front and personal. wow what a show didn't even have a ride home, but some hot girls did ..hooo hoo

[BlueRoseRocketBand2]

Thats Rock!

[PihaSandDunes]

Great to hear some straight forward blues rock, without any hint of Satriani-isms. Hits you like a Kenworth on a desert highway.

[ECwashr]

I think comparing any version of Crossroads to the original is silly. I only rendered my opinion after reading what others had written. West unlike Clapton is still an excellent guitarist. Pappalardi was a great bass player but Jack Bruce was and still is one of the best bass players in the world. Leslie West said it himself, "Mountain picked up where Cream left off". I believe Pappalardi actually wrote some songs with Clapton and Bruce for Cream. It all comes down to who's style you prefer.

[depper]

No doubt Jack Bruce was one of the finest bassists in the world... but so was Pappalardi. Felix's advantage in my opinion was that he was a master song composer, so it allowed Felix to do things Jack wasnt as good at, such as call and response that was the hallmark of the Felix/Leslie experience onstage.

[59FoxDen]

not only did Felix help/write songs for Cream if you read the liner notes you will see that he played bass on a couple as well.. Hendrix wanted Felix to produce a album for him.. Felix produced the last couple Cream albums and Jimi wanted him as well.. but then Leslie talked him into playing in his band after Felix produced and played bass on Leslie's solo album called Mountain.. then the name change.. the rest is history at its finest

[ECwashr]

Anyone who thinks this or any version of Crossroads is better than the original LIVE Cream version is smoking crack. Every blistering note is perfect especially on the 2nd solo. I think the 2nd solo may be the best live guitar solo ever recorded. I do agree the Clapton versions hes been playing the last so many years suck. This West version does blow them away. Another thing that is awesome about the live Cream version is Claptons vocals. The only reason 2 watch EC band now is Trucks and Bramall

[depper]

Leslie West is playing here 40 YEARS after Mountain's heyday. Clapton is a mere shadow of himself now. Leslie sounds razor sharp still. To compare this to Creams heyday is silly.

I guarantee you if Felix Pappalardi was manning the bass, Cream's live version of Crossroads you are referring to would sound like Mr. Rogers Neighborhood in comparison...

[gazzaboy2531977]

You havin a joke ? Ceams "Cossroads" is untouchable .Claptons solos are amazin considerin its live and he has never played the same again cause its improvised and couldn't do it now! all the same no disrespect to Leslie a fine guitarist but Eric is and always will be the best

[depper]

No joke just my opinion. Ive heard Cream's live version, its GREAT Rock n Roll. But unfortunately after hearing Leslie perform it, Creams sound pales in comparison. Eric simply sounds like hes playing acoustic if you listen to him directly after listening to West play. try it some time!! :)

[gazzaboy2531977]

Well i think Leslies is just a heavier sound and Lesie isnt playin up at the 17th fret. No where near as much as Eric did in the Cream days (which is a lot harder to play ).Granted now Clapton is more a Strat man but back then with a Gibson SG he was immense

[depper]

Oh, I love Clapton, but to me nobody touches the tone Leslie can get from a rig.  And back in those days, Leslie's Les Paul Jr/Sunn amps tone was the best going in rock n roll. Jack Bruce even said in 1971 that West has the best vibrato hes ever heard. Thats a testament to Leslie's finger skills.

[gazzaboy2531977]

If only i was back in 1960s .Love to see both of them play together now .Job gettin Clapton to come to Scotland mind ,man a wish he would soon cause hes not getting any younger .Oh and Les Paul Junior only has one pick up( P90) so a guess that is a really great sound considering Clapton had two humbuckers to platy with !

[depper]

wanna hear tone check how good a P90 could sound in Leslie's hand?... This was at Woodstock..

cut/paste this into youtube search with quotes:

"Mountain - Woodstock - Southbound Train (Longer Version)"

[mrjonrickly]

you got that right...

amazing tone.

you had to work it but the payoff was worth it.

leslie mastered it.

[crosscatch]

Actually, playing the longer scale is a different experience from the Gibson (SG) as the string tension is a bit greater. The Strat has a thinner tone as well. I wish EC would play the Gibby sometimes. I really liked hearing him with the humbuckers.

Still, the P 90's of yore sure did snarl!

[sharp1972]

LETS NOT GET SILLY...APPLES TO ORANGES

both rock ,love leslie but ............................

CLAPTON IS GOD!...lol....leslie is frigin amazing i love that blues album ...his version of look over yonders wall...WOW!....

[depper]

Love Leslie and Eric, but, Eric changed quite early on. Didnt much care for him after Cream. That was a looong time ago. To ME, Leslie STILL sounds RAW, but Clapton, just not nearly as dynamic. Still Clapton is a torch bearer, he gets mad respect.

[msaintpc]

I tend to agree with your opinion about the original live version of Crossroads however, the critiques consider Jimi's Stone Free and Eric's Politician[from the Goodbye album] as the best solos ever recorded. Cream's N.S.U. from Live is one of the best jams that will ever be however, as you stated, Clapton can no longer hold his mud.

[depper]

Critics are just critics, they only mean something to themselves. Personally I feel Dream Sequence from Mountain was the best guitar solo ever recorded. Untouchable tone and vibrato.

[woahhitsnoah]

What a player!

Bigger is better!

[depper]

This was the 15th consecutive season (in 2001) of free lunchtime performances at the Twin Towers. A wide spectrum of styles were represented, including Classic Rock, Classical, Broadway, Jazz, Country, R&B, Oldies and Salsa. They brought New Yorkers of all walks of life together, under the towers, and it was always eclectic and something SO DIFFERENT than any other concerts. The crowds actually gave these shows its unique flavor, brought together young and old, truly special and truly missed.

[depper]

I feel that I need to thank ALL the people involved who brought this free entertainment to the Towers, just so 10s of thousands could enjoy good music together. The social elite to the homeless man. This was a New York staple. Also God bless the firefighters, policemen and all those who lost their lives. There was a day when ALL AMERICANS were the same... on 9/11/01.

[laticat]

I have heard Erics version and I still stand by what I said.

[laticat]

When was this recorded i'd love to see Leslie he kicks Eric Claptons lame ass.

[depper]

Leslie was always and still is a very exciting player... string bending and tone is unrepeatable by other guitarists, even Eric Clapton. There's only one player that plays this good, and his name is in the headline.

This was recorded in August, 2001.

[victor2775]

you must not have ever heard eric claptons version then.

[depper]

Ive heard ALL of Clapton's version, they pale in comparison, sorry. Many Mountain fans feel the same way.

To detail MY reason, Clapton plays it "too soft" in my opinion. I prefer Leslie's aggressive pick attack for this song.

So its all good, you listen to Mr Slow Hand... and I'll listen to Mr. Tone Zone! :)

Good day!

[victor2775]

im talking about his original version with cream when he played it with a gibson sg at full blast at the winterland ballroom, not his newer takes with his strat.

[Ktronica]

Amazing sound,

This video make me flashback in time.

Awesome, This is real music, real Rock.

Great video.

[JahWorks420]

Thankful anytime I can see Leslie shred!! Thanks depper!!!

[ledwardz07]

i love his tone reminds me of brian mays solos

[SebZoso]

Brian May's a kook and could only dream of playing like this.

[mistyb2008]

Wow what a classic this one was Depper! Thanks

[TTRocka]

Cool solo!!! Did he use Peavey 5150 amps? I`ve always wanted to try one of those..

[depper]

Yep the 5150 has amazing tone.. especially in the right hands...

[wtfievh]

Alright, depper, you win. West plays his ass off on this one. I still think you need to lay off Zakk Wylde.

[depper]

Thank you for taking the time to pay homage to a true pioneer. Most youngins wont even spend the time learning how todays talents got their ideas. However, no Leslie West fan cares about Zakk Wylde, he hasnt been a flagbearer of the blues or quality tone in general. I will say this, Zakk HAS been playing privately with Leslie West. Maybe Zakk can slow the hell down and learn about tone & vibrato from the original baddass himself.. the Great Fatsby.

[DrivenMind]

I love me some Zach Wylde, but I hadn't even heard of this guy until just recently. I saw him on a Guitar Player video, and his voice and sound blew me away.

I do agree with you that Wylde should slow down once in a while, and maybe lay off the gain some just to get some tone back, but the dude still plays like a mother.

I do wish I had heard of West sooner though, he's got his shit together.

[balderdashsir]

the towers would not have fallen on 9-11, were they not shook up structurally by the sheer power of leslie west's guitar. quite frankly i'm amazed they didn't topple when they went into mississippi queen.

[depper]

Good eye Finger. Yeah I think Leslie body slammed those Sunn amps, closing out the 70's with the best tone that decade ever heard, at least in the rock genre. Today Leslie uses Marshall's, on occasion he'll hook up his Les Paul Jr guitar and what a nostalgic sound it is..

[cydonianman]

i figured he blew up his old Sunn amps with his ungodly huge monster tone. lol :D

[depper]

hehehe you may be right Cy!

[Fingerian]

Hmmm...Peavey heads on Marshall cabs...sounds good, but I kinda miss the Sunn model T's. Guess they all about worn out now. Didn't Leslie play Sunns back in the 70's?

[ravenshire43]

Man they sound fantastic! Damn Corkey is still a real banger too. THX for posting this depper.

[bluesboy54321]

Yeah, and the reason Clapton was called 'slowhand' was because he was forever popping low quality strings on stage in those days and would always get a 'slowhand'-clap!!!

Nothing to do with his playing.

[depper]

Clapton was/is a great songwriter and slow blues player, without question. No doubt a legend. But Clapton and West played different styles. West preferred a more aggressive attack, which made him sound like a wildman compared to Clapton. Clapton could never have pulled off Mississippi Queen. But West also played great slow, with unmatched tone and vibrato from the Les Paul Gods... I would have loved to see them team up. Either are better than the garbage played out of amplifiers today.

[gbrycki]

Not only could Clapton not have pulled off Mississippi Queen, he actually WASN'T able to pull off Theme from an Imaginary Western, which is why Cream never recorded it. West however, not only pulled off Theme, but made it his own.

[stuporsession]

the Slowhand nickname was bestowed upon EC as it took him forever to change strings when with the Yardbirds

[depper]

well thats Claptons problem, he should have shown up to the dance with more than one guitar! I understand Leslie would eat a guitar each quarter hour. Thats at least 8 guitars a show...

[brymacbluesband]

Still cant beat the original CREAM version...better singing, bass, drum, oh and guitar....bless..

[depper]

Disagree actually. Eric Clapton was much stronger with the slower paced blues back in those days. He was called "Slowhand" for a reason. This song needs the power and tone that Leslie gives it. Also "original studio tracks" cant be compared to live shows. Clapton and West always played better live. Leslie also plays a better "Politician" than Clapton in my opinion, and he did it with and without Jack Bruce. On the hard stuff, Leslie West owns in my opinion.

[depper]

I have uploaded Mississippi Queen from this free concert as well. It includes some shots of the World Trade Center grounds and a raucous drum solo from Corky Laing... not to be missed Mountain fans!

[RobinofSactown]

Thanks, depper 4 the info and the vids! - I am glad Mr. West has survived so well! Check out Larry Corryell from 2008 on YT for another guitar legend who still kicks total ass!

[RobinofSactown]

Did the WTC sponsor concerts often? Was this like a regular thing? I like how West sticks with the blues-based rock- thats mostly what lil me does too- I find rock that leaves the blues, becomes classical or metal or jazz instantly. The blues is the golden ratio of rock! I said that!

[depper]

This was the 15th consecutive season (in 2001) of free lunchtime performances at the Twin Towers. A wide spectrum of styles were represented, including Classic Rock, Classical, Broadway, Jazz, Country, R&B, Oldies and Salsa. They brought New Yorkers of all walks of life together, under the towers, and it was always eclectic and something SO DIFFERENT than any other concerts. The crowds actually gave these shows its unique flavor, brought together young and old, truly special and truly missed.

[depper]

that was Peter Sabatino, lead singer for the Vagrants! The Vagrants rocked Long Island during the 60's... while Elvis was making movies and the Beatles were selling millions.. The Vagrants were playing the NEXT generations hard rock and garage grunge looong before they had names...

[WhiteCamry]

Who's the shirt & tie at 2:53?

[depper]

Remember to check thegreatfatsbies dot com for more great Mountain videos and clips

[letamh]

this guy is great

[ras1549]

LOVE MOUNTAIN they don't make guitar players like leslie anymore, no one rocks the cow bell like Corky, just wish I was old enough to see them with Felix. any drummers out there

in the Brooklyn NYC area that can play in the Corky style For music in the vain of black sabbath meet the ramones & a touch of the stooges drop me a line

[guitarman2233]

I Met Leslie West A Couple Months Ago Really Cool Show He Did! can't Wait Till He Comes Back!

[tele2u]

Excellent guitar playing! sure wish I could have been there to see it live. No one rocks like these guys!

[a1cbobbyh]

rockin video

[depper]

thank you! it was fun taping it although i was a bit shaky cause people were going nuts. it sounded so good live.

[gbrycki]

Whoa...what's going on there at the 5:28 mark? Looks like someone's gettin' ready to slug somebody!

[depper]

That was one of the security guards, who just was in a pissed off mood from the beginning of the show. He seemed awfully pissed to be working that day, and no one could figure out why... he seemed out of place, as everyone else, including the rest of security, was having a blast. But security was very tight, and everyone felt completely safe...

[LighthouseLil]

great Video, depper, can always tell a professional, they don't spend the whole song watching the frets! Love it! Lmk

[depper]

Surprised no one asked about that guy Leslie called up on stage... that was Peter Sabatino, lead singer for the Vagrants, the group that rocked Long Island and the East Coast back in '64-'68... Leslie's first rock band that also starred his brother on bass, Larry West.

[spincat1]

This is just awesome. Leslie is the man along with Jimi, Jeff Beck. Thamks to the poster.

Just Great !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[depper]

Oh this is just a small snippet :) Just wait until you see my new post... check it out! I'll give ya a hint, "mooooore cowbell please!"

[Sambamann]

Is that Larry West, Leslie's brother, on bass? They played together in Leslie's old band,the Vagrants, pre-Mountain.

[depper]

I wish I could say that was Leslie's brother on bass, but that was Richie Scarlett, about 2 hours after getting his hair cut on 5th avenue!!

[depper]

and yeah, the Vagrants ROCKED!

[cydonianman]

that's an eerie theory. lol

holy shit who was that guy in the suit he brought out? LOL

Leslie's tone is so dominating its spooky.

wish i could've been at that concert...from a historic stand point. terrorists suck.

[gbrycki]

Conspiracy Theory # 2058: It was Leslie's massive guitar tone that weakened the towers, making them vulnerable to attack! Thanks Depper, this is a great video! Thanks again for sharing!

[depper]

hehe, yeah. Leslie West played so loud, that I heard him 6 blocks away at City Hall! :) They couldnt even get his mic loud enough to compensate but nobody seemed to care, his tone was just amazing. I remember looking up the buildings and saying this is a beautiful place to watch an outdoor concert. To know that a mere month later all those people would die is just mind boggling and still sad to this day.

[depper]

The Friday morning Live Music Concerts given Outdoors on the WTC Plaza will remain as fond memories to all of those that attended them. From a historian's point of view, the Plazza of the World Trade Center was an extraordinary place to listen, dance and experience all of the people interactions of New York music scene. The cool mornings, excellent company and fine music made one appreciate the surroundings much more.

[depper]

The Mountain Fan Club's first original live video feed. We feel this one is of legendary proportions. Live just 30 days before the bombing of the World Trade Center in New York City, this is one of the last concerts to light up the avenue before that fateful 9/11/01 date that we will never forget. thegreatfatsbies dot com.