Leslie West in Milan 2012 A Soulful Live Moment Through People Get Ready and Blood of the Sun
The live performance by Leslie West in Milan in 2012 stands as a powerful reminder of his enduring presence as one of American rock’s most distinctive guitar voices. Backed by a tight and experienced trio, the concert featured a memorable pairing of People Get Ready and Blood of the Sun, blending deep soul influence with the heavy blues rock foundation that defined West’s career.
At this stage of his life, Leslie West approached the stage with clarity and purpose rather than excess volume or speed. His guitar tone remained instantly recognizable, thick and vocal in character, while his singing carried a weathered honesty shaped by decades of touring and recording. The Milan performance captured this balance perfectly, presenting West not as a nostalgia act, but as a working musician fully connected to the material.
People Get Ready, originally written by Curtis Mayfield, has long been regarded as one of the most spiritually resonant songs in American popular music. West’s interpretation respected the song’s gospel rooted message while giving it a raw blues rock edge. His vocal delivery was restrained and sincere, avoiding embellishment and allowing the meaning of the song to carry the moment. The guitar work was subtle and supportive, reinforcing the emotional weight rather than competing with it.
The transition into Blood of the Sun brought a shift in atmosphere. Originally recorded by Mountain in nineteen sixty nine, the song is one of the defining statements of heavy American rock from that era. In the Milan performance, it retained its muscular riff and commanding presence, but with a slightly looser and more conversational feel. West did not attempt to recreate the past note for note. Instead, he allowed the song to breathe, shaped by years of experience and a deeper sense of groove.
The rhythm section played a crucial role in grounding the performance. Randy Coven on bass delivered a solid and expressive foundation, locking in tightly with Ronnie Mannino on drums. Together, they created a flexible but powerful framework that allowed West the freedom to move between soulful restraint and hard edged intensity without losing cohesion.
This live jam in Milan illustrated what made Leslie West such a respected figure among musicians and fans alike. He understood when to push and when to pull back, when to let a song speak for itself and when to leave his unmistakable mark. The pairing of People Get Ready and Blood of the Sun was not a contrast for effect, but a natural expression of his musical identity.
In its honesty and musical discipline, the Milan 2012 performance stands as a valuable document of Leslie West in his later years, still grounded, still expressive, and still deeply connected to the roots of the music he helped shape.