Post by classic rock revival on Feb 26, 2023 4:29:52 GMT -6
STEPPENWOLF The Epic Years 1974-1976 3 CD Box Set
Steppenwolf had a great run from 1967 to 1972, racking up 8 Gold albums, 1 platinum album, 13 top 100 hits (3 top 10, and 4 top 40). The group disbanded in 1972 and leader, John Kay, embarked on a solo career, releasing 2 solo albums to marginal success. In late 1973 John Kay, along with original members Jerry Edmonton (drums) and Goldy McJohn (keyboards) decided to give it another run and Steppenwolf got back together. George Biondo (bass) who had joined the band in 1970 and remained with Kay during his solo period was also brought back onboard along with newcomer Bobby Cochran on guitar, who was the nephew of rock and roll legend, Eddie Cochran. From 1974 to 1976 they released 3 more albums, "Slow Flux", "Hour Of The Wolf", and "Skullduggery'.
"Slow Flux", released in 1974 was a triumphant return, scoring the band another top 40 hit with "Straight Shootin' Woman", that landed in at #29 on the charts and the blistering, hard rocking ‘Gang War Blues,’ a classic Steppenwolf rocker full of grit and an irresistible groove. With Kay’s distinctive roar and the keys of Goldy McJohn there’s a mix of the biker bar band and psychedelia throughout, the guitars snarling and the bass and drums rock solid.
"Hour Of The Wolf", followed in 1975 with more of the same, albeit with a more laid-back approach initially and after two mellower opening tracks it took "Two for the Love of One" to start putting the hammer down, the interplay between the guitars and keys delightful. Ballad ‘Just for Tonight’ shimmers with a real soul and light and the Creedence Clearwater Revival-like ‘Hard Rock Road’ is a highway song that soundtracked many a trip down Route 66.
With their use of keys to drive as well as the guitars, Steppenwolf could also claim kinship with England’s Uriah Heep and tracks like "Someone Told a Lie",add weight to this thought, the Trans-Atlantic appeal there very clearly. Most remarkably though, ‘Mr. Penny Pincher’ sounded both light years ahead of its time and at times rooted in the rock musicals that became so popular at the time, the whole an intriguing blend.
By the time they got around to ‘Skullduggery’ in 1976 the cracks were becoming terminal once again, the band splitting once more but it’s a frustrating scenario as the album is full of some very fine work indeed. With the extended title track with its great fretwork, the powerful ‘(I’m a) Road Runner’ and the gorgeously lyrical ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Song’, there’s all long-time fans could want here.
‘The Epic Years 1974 – 1976’ is certainly a fascinating document and one that opens up a whole new world to those who just know Steppenwolf for ‘Born to be Wild’ or ‘Magic Carpet Ride’.
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