Leslie West and Mountain Deliver a Heavy Blues Statement with “Stormy Monday”
Recorded during one of the most culturally defining moments in rock history, “Stormy Monday” stands as a powerful blues interpretation featured on the album Woodstock Two. Originally written by legendary bluesman T-Bone Walker, the song has long been a benchmark for guitarists and vocalists seeking emotional depth rather than technical excess. In the hands of Mountain, it becomes something darker, heavier, and unmistakably their own.
At the center of the performance is Leslie West, whose guitar tone and vocal delivery transform the song from a traditional blues lament into a slow-burning force. West does not rush the phrasing or embellish unnecessarily. His guitar speaks in broad, weighty lines, while his voice carries a weary authority that feels earned rather than performed. It is blues filtered through the power of late 1960s hard rock.
Behind him, Felix Pappalardi provides a bass foundation that is both restrained and deeply musical. Rather than overpowering the arrangement, his playing supports the song’s emotional arc, locking in tightly with Norman D. Smart II on drums. Smart’s drumming is deliberate and grounded, giving the performance space to breathe while maintaining a steady sense of tension.
Steve Knight’s keyboard work adds a subtle but essential layer to the sound. His chords and fills enhance the blues atmosphere without drawing attention away from the core performance, reinforcing the song’s roots while allowing Mountain’s heavier identity to remain intact.
What makes this version of “Stormy Monday” particularly compelling is its context. Performed during the Woodstock era and later released on Woodstock Two, the track reflects a moment when blues, rock, and amplification were converging into something new. Mountain were not simply paying tribute to the blues. They were expanding it, proving that emotional honesty and sonic power could coexist.
This performance remains a striking example of how a classic blues composition can be reinterpreted without losing its soul. It is not flashy, not sentimental, and not nostalgic. It is raw, direct, and deeply felt, a reminder of Leslie West’s unique place in rock history and Mountain’s ability to bridge tradition with volume and weight.