Theme for an Imaginary Western
Encyclopedia
"Theme for an Imaginary Western" is a song written by Jack Bruce
and Pete Brown
. The song is sometimes referred to as "Theme from an Imaginary Western." It has been performed by many artists, including Jack Bruce
, Mountain
, Leslie West
, Colosseum
, Greenslade
and DC3
.
The song originally appeared on Bruce's Songs for a Tailor
album in 1969. It then appeared the next year on Mountain's Climbing!
album---Mountain bassist/vocalist Felix Pappalardi
, who sang the song with Mountain, had helped produce Bruce's album and brought the song to guitarist/vocalist Leslie West
's attention for their album. The lyrics by Pete Brown are believed to be an epitaph for Cream
, the influential trio of which Bruce was a member and major songwriter. Mountain performed the song at the Woodstock Festival
in 1969; this version appeared on the Woodstock 2
album.
In 1988, Bruce teamed up with Mountain guitarist Leslie West, and performed the song again on West's Theme
album, which was named after the song. West also performed it on Leslie West Live!
.
The song is a standard on Colosseum gigs and it is also recorded on Colosseum Live
(1971) and Colosseum Live05 (2007).
A version by DC3 appears on The Blasting Concept Vol. 2
.
Jack Bruce
John Symon Asher "Jack" Bruce is a Scottish musician and songwriter, respected as a founding member of the British psychedelic rock power trio, Cream, for a solo career that spans several decades, and for his participation in several well-known musical ensembles...
and Pete Brown
Pete Brown
Peter Ronald Brown is an English performance poet and lyricist.Best known for his collaborations with Jack Bruce, Brown also worked with The Battered Ornaments, formed his own group Pete Brown & Piblokto!, and worked with Graham Bond and Phil Ryan. Brown also writes film scores and formed a film...
. The song is sometimes referred to as "Theme from an Imaginary Western." It has been performed by many artists, including Jack Bruce
Jack Bruce
John Symon Asher "Jack" Bruce is a Scottish musician and songwriter, respected as a founding member of the British psychedelic rock power trio, Cream, for a solo career that spans several decades, and for his participation in several well-known musical ensembles...
, Mountain
Mountain (band)
Mountain is an American hard rock band that formed in Long Island, New York in 1969. Originally comprising vocalist and guitarist Leslie West, bassist Felix Pappalardi and drummer N. D. Smart, the band broke up in 1972 before reuniting in 1974 and remaining active until today...
, Leslie West
Leslie West
Leslie West is an American rock guitarist, singer and songwriter.-Biography:Originally named Leslie Weinstein, West was born in New York City, grew up in Hackensack, New Jersey, and in East Meadow, Forest Hills and Lawrence. After his parents divorced, he changed his surname to West...
, Colosseum
Colosseum (band)
Colosseum is a pioneering British progressive jazz-rock band, mixing progressive rock and jazz-based improvisation.-History 1968 - 1971:The band was formed in September 1968 by drummer Jon Hiseman, tenor sax player Dick Heckstall-Smith and bass player Tony Reeves, who had previously worked together...
, Greenslade
Greenslade
Greenslade is an English progressive rock band. It was originally formed in the autumn of 1972 with the following line-up:* Dave Greenslade - keyboards...
and DC3
DC3 (band)
DC3 was an American rock and roll band formed by singer, songwriter and guitarist Dez Cadena in 1983 and active until 1988....
.
The song originally appeared on Bruce's Songs for a Tailor
Songs for a Tailor
Songs for a Tailor is the 1969 solo studio album debut of musician, composer and singer Jack Bruce, who was already famous at the time of its release for his work with the supergroup Cream...
album in 1969. It then appeared the next year on Mountain's Climbing!
Climbing!
-Personnel:Mountain*Leslie West – guitars on all tracks except 6; vocals on all tracks except 6 and 7*Felix Pappalardi – bass on all tracks except 6 and 7; piano on tracks 1, 2 and 9; rhythm guitar and vocals on track 7; production...
album---Mountain bassist/vocalist Felix Pappalardi
Felix Pappalardi
Felix A. Pappalardi Jr. was an American music producer, songwriter, vocalist, and bass guitarist.- Early life :Pappalardi was born in the Bronx, New York...
, who sang the song with Mountain, had helped produce Bruce's album and brought the song to guitarist/vocalist Leslie West
Leslie West
Leslie West is an American rock guitarist, singer and songwriter.-Biography:Originally named Leslie Weinstein, West was born in New York City, grew up in Hackensack, New Jersey, and in East Meadow, Forest Hills and Lawrence. After his parents divorced, he changed his surname to West...
's attention for their album. The lyrics by Pete Brown are believed to be an epitaph for Cream
Cream (band)
Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker...
, the influential trio of which Bruce was a member and major songwriter. Mountain performed the song at the Woodstock Festival
Woodstock Festival
Woodstock Music & Art Fair was a music festival, billed as "An Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music". It was held at Max Yasgur's 600-acre dairy farm in the Catskills near the hamlet of White Lake in the town of Bethel, New York, from August 15 to August 18, 1969...
in 1969; this version appeared on the Woodstock 2
Woodstock 2
Woodstock 2 is the second live album released of the 1969 Woodstock Festival concert. The 2-LP set contains more material from many acts featured on the first Woodstock album with additional performances from Mountain and Melanie....
album.
In 1988, Bruce teamed up with Mountain guitarist Leslie West, and performed the song again on West's Theme
Theme (album)
-Track listing:# Talk Dirty 3:38# Motherload 3:10# Theme for an Imaginary Western 4:42# I'm Crying 3:27# Red House 4:39# Love Is Forever 3:52# I Ate It 2:49# Spoonful 7:38# Love Me Tender 1:30...
album, which was named after the song. West also performed it on Leslie West Live!
Leslie West Live!
Leslie West Live! is a live album by Leslie West, released in 1993..-Tracks:# "Intro Guitar Solo"# "Never in My Life"# "Theme for an Imaginary Western"# "Third Degree"# "Voodoo Chile"# "Goin' Down"# "Baby I'm Down"# "Nantucket Sleighride"...
.
The song is a standard on Colosseum gigs and it is also recorded on Colosseum Live
Colosseum Live
Allmusic wrote that "With good material, some towering performances, and a powerful atmosphere, this is everything you could hope for from a live album." They made note of the performances of all the players except Dave Greenslade, and commented that the band arrangements, duets during the fills,...
(1971) and Colosseum Live05 (2007).
A version by DC3 appears on The Blasting Concept Vol. 2
The Blasting Concept Vol. 2
The Blasting Concept Vol. 2 was a compilation released in 1985 on SST Records. It is the follow-up to the 1983 first volume.- Track listing :# Saint Vitus - "Look Behind You" - 3:31# DC3 - "Theme From an Imaginary Western" - 4:27...
.