This song caught everybodys attention! I remember well when it came out. That start with the cowbell, then the hard driving- hard rock relentless beat, wow. Leslie West was hot, no denying. Even today, 50 YEARS LATER, it stands with the best of them!
Yes, the original "Mississippi Queen" was a riverboat on the run between St. Louis and New Orleans. The Mississippi Queen in the song is a Cajun dancer in a strip club. The lyrics "buy her dresses that shine" refers to the part of the evening in which a "salesperson" comes into the club, offering sexy dresses and lingerie for sale, which the gentlemen purchase for the dancers, who then put on these dresses to perform a strip show for "their man". Of course, the dresses are all collected up later, to be sold again the next evening. Yeah, I've been places and seen things.... 😏😏😏
For 1970, this was about as HEAVY as you could get. Leslie’s leads weren’t subtle, but they were powerful. Corky’s double bass drums drove everything. Steve Knight’s keyboards filled in for the lack of rhythm guitar. And I miss Felix. Besides being a musical whiz, he was the driving force of the band and had firm control in the studio. He also produced Cream’s masterwork Wheels of Fire. You have to check out (among others) Crossroader, Silver Paper and the incomparable Travelin’ in the Dark. Killer stuff!
This song has a great story to it... The Drummer from Mountain was previously in a band called Energy in the late 60's and the power went out at their show in Cape Cod Mass (I believe). In an effort to not lose the crowd and keep them entertained while they were waiting for the PA's to come back on, drummer Corky Lang started banging out this rhythm on his drum kit. A beautiful sultry woman in the crowd got up and started dancing to the beat in the front row. It made a big impression on the band members and the crowd, so they started working on a song called 'The Queen' with that drum part and trying to capture the sexy essence of this beautiful woman dancing with abandon in front of an amphitheatre full of fans. It rolled around in different versions as just a snippet of song & lyrics until Corky met Leslie West and started the band Mountain.. Leslie had the riff in his head but no concept of where to use it or what the song around it could be... They put the beat and feeling of that dark interlude at the power outage show with Leslie's incredible riff and there you have it-- instant classic.
Honey, we were rockin' & groovin' in those days. Check out "Alright Now" by Free or "Born On The Bayou" by Creedence Clearwater Revival for more examples from that era (if you haven't already).💙
13 years ago I was about same distance away from him at a show in Toronto. He could still wail, and Corky Laing was really entertaining, launching sticks into the crowd and not missing a beat. Leslie only tossed his pick at the end of the night and I still have it
Loudest band I ever heard at the Atlanta Pop 70 Pop Festival. Louder than Jimi by a long shot. Procol Harem was at that festival too. Hope you can still hear Gene. :-)
@@genemaurillo4162 Well, mine didn't but it is probably from the years of playing that loud rock n roll. Glad we share that great moment of one of the best bands at "peak" of their power.
I know this ist older American Rock (1970), but here ist the thing. I'm only 33 und I'm not American...I live in Wiesbaden Germany. My mum played this song at times dancing about the kitchen when I was very young. Music like this ist but one of many reasons why I've always felt such passion for Rock. :-)
The thing I love most about india is her innocence. Even as a kid listening to this we ALL knew the implications of the lyrics. We ignored them because it's such a jam.
Honey, I can SEE you feel this song. And, its just as good as the song. Love your interpretation of the lyrics. Thanks for your gritty reactions and appreciation.
Nantucket Sleighride is a MUST for your next Mountain song. The live is amazing but really long, so I guess it's best to stick to the studio version. For some more old time rock try any Alice Cooper off of the albums Love It To Death or Killer." Second Coming" leading into "The Ballad of Dwight Wright" off of the first, or "Halo of Flies" off of Killer.
I always liked this song because it is the only one that I know of that mentions my hometown, Vicksburg, MS. Also, we had a riverboat that stopped in there on a regular basis called the Mississippi Queen.
When that song came out every guitar player was amazed at the hot sound of Leslie Wests guitar playing. The use of pinch harmonics and melodic phrasing, solid full crunch singing sound of guitar. The first of that kind of playing at the time. As soon as you heard the opening solo line we wanted the album. But could go buy it until the song finished. It wasn't the lyrics "ugh" it was the guitar and the vocals matched that matched. Who sung like that before or played like that. Changed things for guitars. I listened to that song for years before paying attention to lyrics.
I would like to see India's reaction to "Nantucket Sleigh Ride". That song with all the change ups thrown in along with how they told the story out of history was and still is listening enjoyment.
Leslie West & Felix Pappalardi - what a combo they were! Wish Felix had been able to stay longer - no telling what that music genius would have left us with.
Being a Mississippi gal I was all over this band in 1970. They played at the Coliseum in Jackson, Mississippi back when you could get 3 great bands on the same cheap ticket. Concerts were great back then. They were kickass in concert!
Gary, the first time I saw ZZ Top was in the high school gymnasium in Laurel, Mississippi. I've probably seen them 10 times. Jackson had great concerts back in the 70s! I regret not saving my ticket stubs.
@@crowredeye8066 Yeah I think I saw them 4 times. It was cool to watch them progress from the Wrangler jeans and straw cowboy hats to the pimp suits and white gloves from the sharp dressed man days,lol. They were cool,they kept coming back to Jackson,now known as "Jafrica" when other acts were starting to go to the Gulf Coast Coliseum,instead. About a year after the first time I saw them,instead saw The Outlaws & Bad Company great show. Oh and I kept that 7 dollar ticket stubborn for a long time,but don't have it now.
I was 15. We had 'The Who - Tommy' and 'Led Zeppelin II'. Woodstock was fresh in everyone's minds and our parents had no clue what was coming. The change from 'pop music' on mono AM radio to Rock on stereo FM was happening just as the 'so called hippie cult' was in transition into 'long-hair-freeks'. As well, living rooms were on the way to color television sets and the driveway was moving into 'big blocks' and 'wide tracks'. Muscle-cars were right around the corner. Music was on 45s, 33s, 4-tracks, 8-tracks, cassettes and everything was analog. Pink Floyd was in the studio recording Meddle and there was an arms race in amplification that matched the cold war. King Crimson is being folded into Emerson, Lake & Palmer who would go on to perfect Arena Rock by finding the solution to the Beatles challenge of not being heard over the crowd at Shea Stadium. With kilo-watts of power "...reachin' for the sky and tearing up the ground..." In our socks and late at night we really wondered if the world was going to go up in mushroom clouds - not as scary as 1959 to 1962, but close.
I still have the official Warner Brothers Mountain song book that was released shortly after the Mountain Climbing album. It contains the musical notation and lyrics for all the songs on that album, as well as for the Leslie West solo album that preceded it. The correct lyrics for one of the lines you quoted from "Mississippi Queen" are; "While the rest of them dudes was makin' their bread, brother beg your pardon I was losin' mine". The official song lyric sites have butchered and mangled most of the Mountain song lyrics to the point that they're unintentionally misquoted everywhere, and the songs meanings have sometimes been rendered nonsensical. Every time I hear the lyrics misquoted or see them written incorrectly in a description or commentary section, I step up. I was and still am a huge fan of Mountain, so if you have any question about the lyrics I'll gladly provide the correct answer. My respect and admiration for your song reactions, and sorry if this seems ocd of me.
@@davidwoolbright2416Good ear! The other two times he's singing; "While the rest of them dudes was gettin' their kicks, brother beg your pardon I was getting mine".
@@plk5520 My favourite Mountain song is Sittin' On A Rainbow. Also learning guitar and want to play it. Is it me or is that guitar riff butchered on a few sites? I always thought it was matched with Felix' bass line.
@@djhrecordhound4391 Other than the variations in sound quality, the lead guitar riffs sound the same to me on all RU-vid versions and all the other sources I have. As far as Felix's bass line following Leslie's lead guitar line note for note, that's not what I hear. What I hear sounds great though! I came across some interesting information just the other day though that might interest you as a guitar player. On the final note of the second lead guitar riff in "Sittin' on a Rainbow", the way that Leslie made that note ring out was by turning the tone knob on his guitar all the way up immediately after picking the note. I have it on fairly good authority that this is true, although I can't vouch for it.
The 1st concert I ever attended was in Dallas in 1970, and Black Sabbath opened for Mountain, and yes, they did do Mississippi Queen. Tickets were $4. fun times.
Helped get Leslie West's "West Bruce and Lang," at my college, back in the day. Sat front row w/ a Giant Hookah. West had an unusual double-guitar, while Bruce (Cream, w/Eric Clapton) was a preeminant bass player, extraordiaire and technically skilled and trained. Super stars . . . Heavy metal; just this gal's style~ Must be played at HIGHT Volume !!
I actually got to see Mountain back in about 1975 or so. They opened for Robin Trower at Cobo Hall in Detroit and they jammed on Mississippi Queen for about 20 minutes. Man, it was great!!
India, you did it!! Ever since I started listening to your reactions, I have been exposed to music which I by passed while I was growing up and focusing on other things. I am 70 years old and I missed all that great music that I have missed. You take the time to give background and details. Thank you. Joe
True story - I used to babysit for Neil Diamond's daughters - in a very nice apartment building in Rego Park NY - back 1970/72 (he was already divorced from his first wife by that time). Lesley West of Mountain lived in the same building - he was the subject of a whole lot of grumbling due to his habit of sleeping on his terrace on a mattress he pulled out of his apartment. The other residents thought him odd.
Leslie was great not half as fast as Hendrix or Clapton but great he would even tell you that as he has in many interviews met him 7 times every time he was a cool dude
First heard that in 1970 when it came out. I'm a big fan of Mountain and always have been. Living in the 60s 70s and 80s was awesome because the music was real. She was a hooker and there really isn't any meaning to it and thats the way music was back then. I am glad to see you young people doing videos like this and taking an interest in great music because you don't have real artists in the business these days just people that can't sing without processing and auto tune software. The bands back then toured and played every night and kicked ass.
For me, it's one time a classic rock tune can't be replicated in a better way than the original. Not by another famous artist or cover band. Heard many try. From tone, guitar riffs, drum fills, vocal delivery. This is a homerun on all levels. Recorded over 50 years ago and even the mix fits the vibe perfectly. Never gets old!
Each time I watch one of India's videos I fall more in love with her. If you had some coaching, and the right opportunity, you could be a fine actress. That face is so expressive.
No, hun, he was rolling around with a "woman of ill repute", thats the old fashioned way it was said, but we grew up with this song but we didn't know , we lol just sang along, and after we grew up a little and found out what they were singing about, we still sang along and jammed, just like we did with ZZ Top and Le Grange, this had so much funk and sass, we were just crazy about it., Godspeed, Peace ✌
I was a junior in high school and spent my hard earned money and purchased this album and cranked it up and rocked out to it. Had a black light, several black light posters and we toked to this one! Whoooo Weeee, good rock!
I was a touring professional touring guitar player for 35 years, saw Hendrix in '69, this song(and the Gibson Les Paul/ Marshall plexi amp tone) brought me to my knees, and still does. '69 was a lifetime ago, Leslie West will not outlive the greatness of this song!
I was starting my freshman year in high school when this came out and I was floored, this was the heavy rock for the time and I couldn't get enough. The album was so cool, brought the guitarest Leslie West to the forefront of great guitarists.
Felix Pappalardi was Mountain's vocalist, bassist and producer. He had previously produced Cream albums, which undoubtedly influenced Mountain's sound. He was shot and killed by his wife while he slept, if I remember correctly, in the early 1980s.
What’s love got to do with it? Beg your pardon I was gettin’ mine! Testosterone, 8 track player in your Camaro Mustang, 442 or GTO. You had to ride around til it came back up - no rewind. Cruisin Mama!
Where to start ? Loved Mountian from the moment their first album was released. What a sound!!!!! If you want the best of their power, sound and intensity that song would be, Never In My Life. Dreams of Milk and Honey is damn good too. During Christmas break Dec. 26 1970 - Dec. 31 1970 Mountian played the Fillmore East every night and I went to every show. Suffice it to say, it did NOT get old. This was the best time of my senior H.S year. The popularity of Mountian was enormous, just like Leslie West was ! A VERY, VERY large man, hence Mountian. Their live shows were some of the best you could experience. Keep in mind that they were originally a 3 piece band, guitar, bass and drums. But by the second album it was realized that a keyboard player would make a good addition, especially for live performances. Now for a rundown, Leslie West, he was a well known guitarist before the band formed. Most of what he played, especially lead, was not overley cluttered or complicated. But it said the most with the least, it was his sound and timing that were extraordinary. Loud and heavy, but crisp and clear. And he played effortlessly on stage. Felix Papalardi on bass, what can you say ? This man was a recording studio engineering whiz, a phenomenal producer and writer and a beast on the bass. A true talent. Corky Laing on drums, holy crap could he play, a real power drummer. I loved this guy. People talk of Ginger Baker, John Bonham, Keith Moon and Carmine Appice as drum gods, which they are. But Corky Laing is second to none. To understand this one would need to see him play. He is near the top of the drummers pyramid. Steve Knight filled the role he was intended to do very well, no flash or fanfare, just a good keyboard player. And as for the song Mississippi Queen, you are over thinking it and giving it to much romantic flavour. It is about sex, down and dirty, plain and simple, just like the band. And the girl is no woman, she is a Cajun hooker that the guy has crossed boundaries and shunned his friends to be with as she has stired a sexual awakening in him. Mountian!!! Great music, Great band, Great sound and a Great legacy. One I am so so very glad to have seen first hand and been there for in an era of great music.
I was playing at the China Club in Manhattan around 1991 and I arrived at the club early. Lesley West was sitting near the stage at a deuce table. He saw me and said that better be a bass in that case......I said "it is" Lesley had just quit drinking and lost a ton of weight. I didnt recognize him. He then said would you help me sound check my axe on stage. So we both got up on stage and he told me to play some 12 bar blues. Lesley tore into some wild riffs and solos, and I was like " who is this guy" Then we got off and sat back down,,,,,,there was some uncomfortable silence and he looked at me and said " you dont know who I am do you?" I was like shit....who is this. Then he told me and it was a Waynes World moment of ....I'm sorry Mr West....Im not worthy...kiss the ring....lol
Leslie west was known as the Great Fatsby. I saw these guys live in Central Park New York City in August 1970… Free concert and they blew the house down! I had just turned 14 years old… My first live concert… Great memories!!
Oh Man. That sounds great. They're in my top 5 bands. I hope Leslie is still playing, I did hear an interview where he said....If he lost his hands, that would end him. He needs to play guitar for as long as he can.
I was 18 when this came out and the 60's was just full of new and wild stuff. Listen to the whole album. Then check out Hendrix. He was the top. Great to see you young folks diggin this old stuff!
Makes me happy to see young people listen to the music of my day. To me this song has a blues music sound. At the heart of rock and roll is a little blues. I am from Mississippi and we believe we are the home of the blues. Also the home of pretty women, fried chicken and bbq.
