Amazon.com: Unusual Suspects by LESLIE WEST: CDs & Vinyl

This album may be the comeback album of the decade. Like his good friend Johnny Winter, Leslie overcame personal troubles and substance abuse and re-applied himself to his craft before he left us in 2020. He himself pointed out that he had re-discovered his joy of playing after many years of going through the motions. You can feel that listening to this album. His guitar playing is terrific, economical at times but proves a lot can be said and done within a few notes. His vocal quality and delivery sound better than it has in decades. The songs are fresh and inspired in the blues rock/classic rock vein. The guests (an impressive list) are out front with him and sound like they are having a ball. No throw away tracks on this disc other than last tune which was clearly thrown on for kicks. Just when it seemed like he was going to take it to heights he hadn't experienced since the 60s and 70s, he passed away at age 75. But he went out on top leaving us 3 Provogue Record releases that clearly shows what many of us already know: Leslie West was a true rock pioneer (America's first Bonafide hard rock guitarist) and an example that it's never too late to accomplish great things. Thank you for the music, Mr. West.

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TheGreatFatsbies

The King of Tone is Back!

Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2011

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Leslie West has been Rockin' the World since the mid 60s, and this album will go down as one of his greatest ones. This was a gigantic effort, and even better than Mountain's classic Masters of War album (which I thought was one of the best blues/rock albums of the last 10 years). Unusual Suspects is so raw, so white hot. Leslie's first rate and much idolized tone & vibrato is on display better then at any time since he laid down his Les Paul Jr and Sunn amps for the last time. Any fan of any of the heroes on this album should buy immediately, it will enhance their inner Rock demon. Its a MUST LISTEN.

The fact to remember: Its simply amazing how these musicians are all playing so together. No egos, no battles. Just today's guitar heros paying homage, and playing together with one of the biggest guitar idols of the 20st Century.

Sorry Leslie, you proved it over 45 years ago, and nothing's changed, you ARE still a legend.

NOTE: The special edition includes a full color, well polished book on the creation of this album, with great pictures. Get this fans!!!

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Jimmy James

4 stars just cuz it's Leslie and it's LOUD!!!

Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2020

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Tracks are too short. The first 2 just start to jam and then just fade out. Boo. Luv Leslie West and Lola and the Cheap Gurls. Lots of GUITARS and it's LOUD however. Reprise of 3RD DEGREE with Joe Bonamassa. Great song.

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Jimmy B

Leslie's Best since Mountain

Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2011

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I had been waiting for quite some time for Mountain, or Leslie West, to reinvent themselves after the departure of Felix Pappalardi/Gail Collins. The time is NOW! All Leslie needed was "A Little Help From My Friends".
This cd, while influenced by the blues is much more. Leslie, somewhat recently, released 2 blues albums which captured his blues roots, and were quite good. But there was something missing in my opinion...
This cd showcases some new, moody, "power ballads" (My Gravity and Legend) that were missing from any recent Mountain or Leslie solo work. It has some great bluesy tunes in the remake of "Third Degree" (WBL fans will smile at he end), One More Drink, Mud Flap Momma, Higher Ground... But I was hoping for more, and this cd delivers!

On the muscianship, Leslie's voice is strong, his guitar is pure and unmistakenly "Leslie" and the guest guitarists just enhance the music which is well written. "To The Moon" is also a fantastic song that really can't be catagorized--reminds me of Paint it Black, but different--good tune, good message.
I love this Cd! Can't wait till he gets a leg up and tours in support of it :-)

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Thomas A. Swaya

Very Very Good - Amazing At Times !!!

Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2011

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I've been following Leslie since the Leslie West Mountain LP. West's lifetime compilation of work speaks for itself. On many of his releases there are always a couple of personal favorites that really hit home. On this CD I really like To The Moon and Love You Forever. These are compositions that only Leslie West could write. They are personal West statements that longtime fans recognize as the real thing. These days Leslie has health issues...and it is my prayer that he will recover and still be able to continue performing and writing these incredible songs. Cannot bring back the good old days at Eastowne Theater in Detroit (1971)...but these tunes sure are incredible rock masterpieces. Thanks Leslie !!!

Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2011

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West has always been one of the most soulful white boys to ever play guitar. His guitar tone has been the holy grail of some great rock and blues guitar players (like the ones helping out on this album). He has had his share of problems, health and otherwise and put out some bad music over the years but this album contains the music he was meant to do, with the stars that know who he is and what he has done for rock and roll. This album proves he hasn't lost a thing, taking into consideration his age, and I think it may be a trend because Johnny Winter recently released his best album in years too!

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Dangerous Dave

The Man - The Mountain

Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2011

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Folks - This larger than life man played at my High School graduation (The Vagrants)- I'm 59 years old. After some serious medical issues he has impressed me by coming back with one of his best efforts. His collaborations are tremendous. Billy Gibbons & Leslie West jamming together? Joe B & Slash? It's a hard rockin' result. I almost wish the whole album was done this way. His solo tunes range from fair to good. I won't mention the Beetlejuice song. I'm glad its at the end - I'll turn it off before it hits.

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Gibby60

This is a great album from a real trooper

Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2012

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I've been a Leslie West fan since Mountain, he was like a 300lb. Steve Marriott. All this years later, I think he's made his best album. This has love, heartache,and the angst of a road warrior whose paid his dues. Most of these new albums by my favorite "old" Artists, are boring, or a tribute to their former glory. Sadly Joe Walsh's new album is the opposite, safe, predicable,and slow. While Joe writes a nice love song, buy this instead. Joe's right, life's been good to him so far, Leslie's had a harder road. And it shows in this record.

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luca

Rock blues da antologia

Reviewed in Italy on June 20, 2016

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Se vi piace il rock/blues,che dire,questo cd è storia moderna.duetti con bonamassa,slash,ecc. E lui,leslie west,già dentro alla storia del rock

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Cocoa Nibbler

...a true classic player

Reviewed in Canada on April 28, 2013

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It was very nice to see and hear Leslie West again. He's got some really good back up help on this album as well, including Slash, (GnR; Velvet revolver), Billy Gibbons, (ZZ top), Zakk Wylde, Joe Bonnamasa (blues legend)....although I found the sound of this recording exceptable, it's not exceptional....once you get into it....you'll like it. Having grown up with somewhat sub-standard sound of the late sixties and early seventies....it's better. Leslie West hails from a band of that time called Mountain...if you're my age you no doubt could never forget "Mississippi Queen"...still being played in rotation on classic rock stations.....be it only 2min 33sec's long..we played it over and over again with others of the day, like Rick Derringer, the Winter brothers, Slade and more. This record is slicker for sure, production is good, and flow is nice. What stood out for me: track4 Standing on higher ground, track 7 Nothings changed, track 9 Love you forever, and track 11 The party's over. There's even a cute cover of the early Beatles hit, I FEEL FINE! All and all worth the purchase, and if you like this check out the new Joe Walsh....

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K. O'CARROLL

His best in years - go get it.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 27, 2014

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The older he gets the better he gets. The unmistakeable guitar virtuosity has never been up for question, and - at 60-odd years of age - his voice is better than ever. Mood and feeling is great on this set of songs. And.... not many musicians can do their "own" version of a classic Beatles song and get away with it. Great album. Buy it. Enjoy it.

Motzi

West, the best!

Reviewed in Germany on August 20, 2013

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Er versteht es, wie immer, das Blut in Wallung zu bringen: " Show me the curves, that ..." - einfach klasse! Die Musiker dabei, ebenbürtig! Musik, die man haben sollte.

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