Mountain / Japan Tour 1973 Japan Show One Budokan (2CDR)

CD01: (Japan, August 25, 1973)
01: Introduction
02: Never In My Life
03: Theme For An Imaginary Western
04: Blood Of The Sun
05: Nantucket Sleigh Ride
06: Guitar Solo
07: Crossroader
08: Mississippi Queen
09: Silver Paper
10: Roll Over Beethoven

CD02: (New York, USA, October 3, 1974)
01: Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On
02: Theme for an Imaginary Western
03: Thumbsucker
04: You Better Believe It
05: Crossroader
06: Nantucket Sleighride
07: Leslie West Guitar Solo
08: Satisfaction >
09: Corky Laing Drum Solo
10: Mississippi Queen

Lineup:
Leslie West: Guitar, Vocals
Felix Pappalardi: Bass, Vocals
Allan Schwartzberg: Drums
Bob Mann: Keyboards, Guitar
Brom Bronx: Keyboards, Guitar (1974)
Corky Laing: Drums (1974)

This release features two live recordings: a 1973 Tokyo Budokan performance from Mountain's first tour of Japan—held just before their initial breakup—and a 1974 concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York, marking their sudden reunion the following year. Led by producer Felix Pappalardi—often dubbed the "fourth member of Cream"—Mountain released only five albums during their active period following their 1968 debut. While several albums appeared after their dissolution (likely due to contractual obligations), the only official live release from that era was a recording of their 1973 Osaka show. At the time, the massive guitarist made a huge impact; his unique harmonic playing style influenced countless other guitarists. With a sound heavily defined by Felix Pappalardi, Mountain was hailed as the "second Cream" and achieved great success not only in the US but also in the UK. This release features recordings of the 1973 Budokan show and the 1974 reunion concert in New York—performances rarely found even on the bootleg market. You can fully enjoy the signature Mountain sound that defined the 1970s hard rock era, including the smash hit "Mississippi Queen" and "Nantucket Sleigh Ride," a track that shifts dramatically from melodic passages to a hard-driving sound. Although the band sadly disbanded after the 1973 tour, the Japan performances reveal a tight, aggressive unit that shows absolutely no signs of an impending breakup. Leslie West delivers delicate yet dynamic guitar solos, while Felix Pappalardi anchors the music with a heavy, rock-solid rhythm section; the musicianship is truly superb. The 1974 reunion show maintains that same level of dynamic stability from West and Pappalardi, yet the energy seems even higher than during the Japan tour, with the audience fully engaged and fired up. Despite the source material dating back 35 years, the sound quality is excellent—offering a vivid, immersive atmosphere and a well-balanced mix of instruments that allows you to fully appreciate Mountain's powerful sound without distraction. Hearing the opening riff of the massive hit "Mississippi Queen" is guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping.