West, Bruce and Laing were a power trio formed in the aftermath of Mountain and Cream. Consisting of Leslie West, Jack Bruce and Corky Laing, the group rose from their drug-induced stupor to create two studio albums and a live record. With hard, heavy and occasionally catchy riffs combined with stacks of cheeseburgers and cases of wine, West, Bruce and Laing appeared destined for excessive success. All the major record companies lined up to sign what they collectively saw as the next Led Zeppelin. And with Zeppelin’s engineer Andy Johns recording and co-producing, the new group was pronounced a monster before they were. The band kicked off their residency on American radio with the small hit The Doctor. The blues-rock titan features Leslie’s under-valued slide guitar techniques and amply displays the rhythm section. The album only went to number 26, but the tours were selling out and the limos were always parked outside. The booze and blow, along with food and women, conspired to derail the act on a regular basis, starving their audience of potential greatness. What we do have is their first album Why Dontcha. Tracked before the pressures of the road and the industry took them down, Why Dontcha is chock full of rock blessings, if nothing more. The title track kicks off the record like a cold beer after a long day, with Leslie’s harsh roaring vocals demanding some attention. The second song, Bruce’s Out Into The Fields, is an oddly placed ballad that leans heavily towards the bassist’s early solo records. Laing’s drumming is pretty badass throughout while West’s swooping Hendrix-like guitar work in the outro pretty much rules. The Doctor follows, with its infectious middle sections and insane bass playing by Bruce. All talents are on display as the next tune has Corky singing and playing rhythm guitar with Jack on stand-up bass and harmonica. Towards the end of the record is the bombastic Love Is Worth The Blues. The hot licks remind me of a Beard song…without the hooks.