Leslie West Revisits “Long Red” in an Intimate 2013 Performance at New York’s Iridium Jazz Club
On November 13, 2013, Leslie West brought one of his most defining anthems back to the stage during an intimate residency at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City. Captured via a handheld fan video, this rendition of “Long Red” serves as a poignant document of the legendary guitarist in the twilight of his career, showcasing a musician whose soul remained undiminished even as his physical health declined.
Originally recorded for his 1969 solo debut, Mountain the album that predated the formation of the legendary band of the same name “Long Red” was never a conventional chart-topper. Instead, it became a cornerstone of rock history, later famous for its heavy blues foundation and its status as one of the most sampled tracks in hip-hop. By the time West arrived at the Iridium in 2013, the song had evolved from a raw, psychedelic blues-rock number into a weathered, emotional testament.
Joined by the formidable rhythm section of drummer Bobby Rondinelli and bassist Reverend Jones, West delivered a version that was markedly slower and more deliberate than the fiery performances of his youth. Performing from a wheelchair following the partial amputation of his leg two years prior, West leaned into the song’s blues structure with a newfound sense of reflection. His signature husky growl and the “mountainous” tone of his guitar phrasing were as commanding as ever, yet they carried a fragility that resonated deeply within the club’s intimate confines.
The Iridium Jazz Club provided the perfect sanctuary for this exchange, allowing every slide of his finger and every raspy breath to be heard without the interference of stadium-sized spectacle. While the “UnsteadyCam Production” footage lacks the polish of a professional concert film, its shaky, close-up perspective only heightens the authenticity of the moment. It captures an artist refusing to be silenced by circumstance, revisiting his foundations with a clarity that only decades of lived experience can provide. In retrospect, this performance of “Long Red” is a powerful reminder that Leslie West’s legacy was never about commercial trends, but about a visceral, enduring commitment to the truth of the blues.