Mountain Live: The Road Goes Ever On

MountainLive: The Road Goes Ever On (1972) Although there is nothing in its (short) booklet that indicates when or where these four live songs were recorded, there are several sites who claim that the first two songs on this album ("Long Red" and "Waiting to take you away") are the actual live versions that Mountain performed at Woodstock (1969). Is that true? It is not possible to say for sure one way or the other just by listening to these tracks. The story goes that Mountain had the rights to release these two `Woodstock' recordings but could not legally label them as such. Again, there is nothing to verify such claims. It all comes down to whether or not you trust the various websites that claim the Woodstock authenticity of the first two tracks. Whatever you believe concerning the `Woodstock' origins of the first two tracks, both are very good and, at the very least, they are two of the songs the band did perform at Woodstock (even if these tracks do not prove to be the actual recordings from that Festival). The other two live tracks here ("Crossroader" and "Nantucket Sleighride" - assumed to have been recorded in 1972) are also very good performances. Nantucket Sleighride goes on for 17 minutes and is an enjoyable ride throughout. As a live album it is very good, if relatively short in the digital age. There certainly was enough room for Bonus tracks to be added, but there are none to be found here. Still, it is a very enjoyable album. IF the first two tracks are indeed Woodstock recordings (and that is a questionable IF), then this album is more significant than one would guess at first glance.This CD rates a solid 4 stars (4 ½)

The defining version of Nantucket Sleighride! This version is worth the price of the entire CD! It is nearly three times as long as the standard version and captures Mountain at their absolute peak.

I've loved this album ever since I was 15 years old when I borrowed it from the local library and "forgot" to return it (I wonder what the late fees would be decades later?). So, I thought it was finally time to upgrade the old vinyl to CD format.The songs still sound great and are a blast to crank up in the car on a sunny day. Live Leslie West heavy riffing at his best! Mountain was a great live jam band, and the 17 minute Nantucket is my personal favorite.The only thing I would have liked to see on the CD version would have been 1 or 2 bonus live cuts, as the album is quite short, and I know there's lots of live stuff floating around that could have been added. Some more live pics in the insert would be great too, as it's a 2 page bio of the band with the back photo repeated twice.Still one of the best live albums ever, even if it should have been longer...maybe someday an extended version will be released, like what happened with the classic Who - Live At Leeds.

This abbreviated gem (33 minutes, more or less) showcases all that Mountain was. Though it lacks some of their more recognized tunes (Mississippi Queen, of course, and the Woodstock numbers) it never the less manages to convey just about everything you need to know about the band. True fans will have other albums, but for the uninitiated, looking for a terrific example of good old fashioned bombastic power group rock, with a tasty jam as a bonus, this is a great place to start. Side 2 is taken up by a 17 minute wersion of Nantucket Sleighride, their epic whaling tune. Of all the version sof Sleighride, live or studio, this is my favorite. It avoids some of the excessive drag-outs of the 30+ minute version found elsewhere, while offering a very tasty extension of teh studio version, staying true to the feel of the original, while offering lots of room for teh various instrumentalists to stretch out. It even manages to "feature" the drummer prominently, without resorting to a strictly-drum solo. (After all, there's only so much yuou can do with 2 drum tones & a high hat!) The 3 shorter tunes (but averaging over 5 minutes each) on side 1 show off the power chord supergroup as well as MQ or anyything else, and at the same time give an accurate if too brief view of an early 70's rock concert (when it was just plain ROCK.) This is just after Cream, the era of Deep Purple, 10 Years After, and others whose joy was in teh playing, the rocking, before the whole scene turned into a race for stadium seats or outlandish outfits or a media conglomerate. The personnell are tops; without the shadow of Cream still hanging over them, Mountain would certainly have garnered a greater reputation as a supergroup. There was quite a resume' of previous and subsequent fame for most of the group. (In fact, there was even an intertwining with Cream, when West, Bruce, & Laing hooked up briefly later.) Overall, a truly satisfying heavy rock experience, highly recommended!

First things first. The Amazon description (1997 release, extensive liner notes, etc.) is flat out WRONG. What you get is a 1991 release that is remastered, but has minimal notes. I don't know what they are smoking over there in that department, but they need to slow down on the wacky tabacky comsumption. And now, the music....I think a good word for this is STAGGERING!! Mountain was definitely one of the best bands from the 69-72 era, and this disc is the proof. Great songs and tight playing. Even the 17 minute version of "Nantucket Sleighride" holds up. Highly recommended to even neophyte Mountaineers. TURN IT UP!!!

Mountain were very much a 'band of their times'. Very good heavy metal band, before 'heavy metal' was invented. I spent weeks and weeks with a soldering iron, and various electronic magazines, trying to reproduce Pappalardi's bass sound. No wonder he is now registered deaf.

great rock

Brilliant LP mountain at their best

wonderful

This CD is a must have for any dedicated Mountain fans. With the uber raunchy guitar sound of Leslie West, the solid rock drums of Corky Laing and singing bass of Felix Pappalardi. Check out his absolute killer sustain in Nantucket Sleighride. The keyboards of Steve Knight somewhat lost in the mix. Top shelf, get it now!