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Posted on 07/19/2014 3:59:50 PM PDT by lee martell
Some classic rock songs from 'back then' have a distinctive sound in the intro, a rhythmic pattern that would probably make a good ringtone on our cell phones of today. One of those songs that could instantly set the mood was "Mississippi Queen, by the group Mountain, from 1970. The band consisted of four guys; Leslie West, Corky Laing, Felix Pappalardi and David Rea. This song, their most successful, reached #21 in the Billboard Hot 100 record chart of 1970.
There are many other good songs with the everyday Cowbell in the intro including; #1. Moby Dick, by Led Zeppelin #2. Rock and Roll, Hoohie Koo, Rick Derringer, #3. Born on the Bayou, by Creedence Clearwater Revival, #4. Fool for the City, by Foghat, #5. Stone Free, by Jimi Hendrix Experience, #6. Low Rider, by War, #7. Don't Fear The Reaper, by Blue Oyster Cult, #8. We're An American Band, by Grand Funk Railroad, #9. Honky Tonk Woman, by Rolling Stones.
Mississippi Queen was recorded during sessions for Mountain's debut album "Climbing!". Drummer Corky Laing had developed some lyrics and the drum part before joining the band. Later, when guitarist Leslie West was looking for lyrics to match a guitar part he had written, Corky pulled out "The Queen", and the two worked on the song together. When the group went on to record Mississippi Queen, Pappalardi insisted on numerous takes. Growing tired of the repetition, Laing started using the cowbell to count off the song. Pappalardi liked it so much he left it in the mix, creating the instantly recognizable intro into the song. This song has been recorded by many others, including Sam Kinison in 1990, Ozzy Osbourne in 2005, and Molly Hatchet in 2008. The original version by Mountain is my favorite. It's explosive, driving and bluesy. I wish I could hear a Zydeco version, and I usually do not like Zydeco, because that technique can become too noisy with all those Creole Violinists and Fiddlers wanting to be heard.
Neil Peart. Rush.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9KAMkGF-xA
Thank you. Was struggling to remember the name of that tune.
Nantucket Sleighride is another great one, about being pulled around by a harpooned whale.
Freegards
If you like “Theme”, you might also like one of Mountain’s less well known album tracks, a prog rock opus called “Nantucket Sleighride”, from the LP of the same name:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S77sZnnVY4
If you’re not familiar with it, look up the lyrics. Even for us landlubbers, it’s one that puts a shiver up the spine.
I remember that one. Thanks.
I never has a chance to see Mountain in concert, but I did see West Bruce and Laing in Lincoln Nebraska in ‘73 while I was stationed at Offutt. The opening act was the Edgar Winter Band (Frankenstein) with Ronnie Montrose on guitar. Felix was stone cold deaf from too many years in front of stacks of Marshalls. Ah the days......
Oh...and I thought the Mountain keyboard player was Steve Knight. At least that’s who is credited on the albums.
bump for later
Edgar is or was one of the greats. I know his brother Johnnie just passed this week. I never knew anything about their family. How they grew up. It takes work to put a show on, a lot of work, reliability, planning, mathematically correct pay schedules and focus. You may need a bailbondsman you can trust to keep his mouth shut. Same with a nurse or doctor. You need the right instruments, kept in tune for that particular venue. I presume they would practice together almost daily, once you become that famous.
Played it a million times with my classic rock band. Great song.
IT has one of those quintessential unforgettable riffs.
the original:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFhM1XZsh6o
Peter Frampton, Leslie West, Mississippi Queen, The Paramount, June 23 2013
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMhPgo2fofg
Prominent cowbell in Fleetwood Macs “Oh Well”
Thanks a bunch. Just spent too much time grooving to the oldies!!
Woohoo
LOL! You’re welcome and maybe this will make you feel better, I did too.
:)
I have a story about that song.
I would listen to that song in 1968 and it sent chills up my spine and scared me and I didn't know why. I just felt like somehow my time was up. Something was going to happen. Sure enough in August of 1968 through a series of unexplained circumstances, I received Jesus Christ as my Savior. I honesty believe I might have died if that hadn't happened.
Good song, but are you sure that’s not a Glockenspiel vs Cowbells?
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