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.
Put that song together with Vanishing Point (the original movie) and you’ve got something. Still trying to get Vanishing Point on the internet for free.
I used to practice the cowbell when I was younger but was never good enough to get noticed by any record producers.
Poor Mr. Mike. I think someone left his Cake Out In The Rain (and he ate it all anyway!).
Yeah, if you’re not already in that kind of rough riding mood, this type of song can be similar to a root-canal,”you know what I mean?”
Robin Trower? “Woman in Love”? Come on! More cowbell!
Yeah. Somewhere out there is the Van Cliburn or the Horowitz of cowbell, practicing alone, forgotten by the rock industry just as cruelly as by the classical music industry. I say it's racism.
Rumor has it that somewhere, in Larry Flynt’s dusty old files that have not yet been transfered online, there is a Manila folder about Dickerson. The folder is filled with photographs. Some of the photos have to do with that Company sponored New Years Eve Party of 2003. One shows a picture of Dickerson shirtless and wearing a bonnet while sitting in a playpen, next to a (muzzled) St. Bernard puppy.
There is a red Valentine sketched around that photo. The caption says, “Man’s Best Friend!”.
Great song by an underrated group. Their cover of “Theme for an Imaginary Western” remains one of my favorites.
Time Has Come Today--The Chambers Brothers (1968)
Mine too. “The King of Tone” has some pretty impressive chops and collaborators and lost a leg to diabetes a few years ago, so I’m sure he’d be pleased to be remembered here.
I love that band song. Levon could belt it out, couldn’t he. I have the digitally remastered version of Last Waltz. It’s a masterpiece.
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