Unusual Suspects

Sadly, Leslie West passed away in December 2020. To honor his musical legacy, all the Provogue catalogue will be re-issued on special colored vinyl in limited numbers. Nobody sounds like rock 'n' roll legend Leslie West. West has been in command of one of the biggest, boldest electric guitar tones known to man or beast since 1969's Woodstock festival, which introduced his group Mountain to the pages of music history. His voice is equally distinctive - a powerful mix of honey and gravel that falls somewhere between Otis Redding and King Kong. At age 65, West stands entirely undiminished on "The Unusual Suspects," a proud mix of boogie blues, rockers, and ballads that showcases his songwriting skills in tunes like the hard-rocking "Mississippi Queen" flashback "Mud Flap Momma" and the sweet, soulful love song "My Gravity." West's title for the album was inspired by his handpicked roster of A-list six-string co-stars, which includes Z.Z. Top's Billy Gibbons, Slash, ex-Ozzy Osbourne foil Zakk Wylde, blues-rock firebrand Joe Bonamassa, and L.A. session giant and Toto leader Steve Lukather. The other distinguished guest is drummer Kenny Aronoff, whose powerhouse style has made him a first-call accomplice for John Fogerty, John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson, Rod Stewart, and many others. Les