Theme (album)

Last updated

Theme
Leslie West Theme.jpg
Studio album by
Leslie West
ReleasedFebruary 1988
StudioMillbrook Sound Studios, Millbrook, New York
Genre Blues-rock, hard rock
Length35:24
Label Passport
Producer Leslie West, Paul Orofino
Leslie West chronology
The Leslie West Band
(1976)		Theme
(1988)		 Alligator
(1989)

Theme is the fourth album by Leslie West, [1] [2] released in February 1988 by Passport Records. [3] The album features bassist Jack Bruce and drummer Joe Franco. [4] It was produced by Leslie West and Paul Orofino, and the liner notes were written by Howard Stern. [5]

Contents

Content

The album takes its title from the track "Theme for an Imaginary Western", which West re-recorded at the request of Howard Stern. [6] It was first recorded by Jack Bruce on Songs for a Tailor and subsequently featured on Mountain's debut album Climbing! . [3] The album also features live versions of Jimi Hendrix's "Red House", and Willie Dixon's “Spoonful”. [7] The song "I’m Cryin'" features just Leslie West on guitar. [6]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [8]
Billboard (unrated) [9]

Cashbox reviewer Gary Starr writes that the album "has the look and sound of one recorded during the late 60’s," that the music is "stripped-down, basic blues oriented rock in the tradition of the great 60’s power-trios," and that the performances are "loose and relaxed." [7] Steve Newton of The Georgia Straight describes "Theme for an Imaginary Western" as a "beautiful, inspiring tune, made even more so by the soulful vocals of Cream veteran Jack Bruce," and also highlights the song "I’m Cryin'." [6]

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Talk Dirty"Charlie Karp3:35
2."Motherload"Leslie West, Joe Franco3:10
3."Theme for an Imaginary Western"Jack Bruce, Pete Brown 4:40
4."I'm Cryin'"Leslie West3:02
5."Red House" Jimi Hendrix 4:58
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Love is Forever"Leslie West, Corky Laing 3:51
2."I Ate It"Leslie West3:00
3."Spoonful" Willie Dixon 7:27
4."Love Me Tender" Elvis Presley, Vera Matson 1:41
Total length:35:24

Personnel

Technical

References

  1. ↑ "Grass Route" (PDF). Billboard . June 18, 1988. p. 39 – via World Radio History.
  2. ↑ Prown, Pete; Newquist, Harvey P. (January 2, 1997). Legends of Rock Guitar: The Essential Reference of Rock's Greatest Guitarists. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN   9780793540426 – via Google Books.
  3. 1 2 "Mountain Man" (PDF). Billboard . January 9, 1988. p. 22 – via World Radio History.
  4. ↑ "If Jack Can't Come To The Mountain..." (PDF). Cashbox . February 6, 1988. p. 26 – via World Radio History.
  5. ↑ "Album Reviews" (PDF). Billboard . April 23, 1988. p. 68 – via World Radio History.
  6. 1 2 3 Newton, Steve (July 8, 1988). "Album review: Leslie West, Theme (1988)". The Georgia Straight – via earofnewt.com.
  7. 1 2 Starr, Gary (June 6, 1988). "The Independent Way" (PDF). Cashbox . p. 20 – via World Radio History.
  8. ↑ "Theme - Leslie West | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
  9. ↑ "Leslie West - Theme" (PDF). Billboard . April 23, 1988. p. 68 – via World Radio History.


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