Leslie West - Crossroads - World Trade Center

Mountain live during one of the last shows of the World Trade Center Center Stage Summer Concert Series, just 30 days before the towers fell.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Leslie
• West
• Mountain
• Crossroads
• Corky
• Laing
• guitar
• blues
• rock

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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!!!

[305bigdad]

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

[Hildy2E]

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

[nikon052952]

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

[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