Record Reviews

STEPPENWOLF ~ EARLY STEPPENWOLF / FOR LADIES ONLY BGO 691 (Barcode: 5017261206916) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1967 - 1971 Released: 2005 4th and 8th albums by US group SteppenwolfFind albums by this artist, which are in fact the earliest and the latest recordings by this band during their initial period of activity. It is quite astonishing to see how the group developed and changed in the short period of four years, with this change reflecting well the overall music scene dramatic developments during that period. Surprisingly (or perhaps not) "Early SteppenwolfFind albums with this title" was not really recorded by Steppenwolf, but by the group SparrowFind albums by this artist, which is the first outfit formed by vocalist John KayFind albums by this artist in Canada, and which eventually settled down on the West Coast and changed the name to Steppenwolf (with some minor lineup changes). Recorded live at the legendary SF "Matrix" club (owned by Jefferson AirplaneFind albums by this artist´s Marty BalinFind albums by this artist), the album is a phenomenal document of the West Coast music scene in 1967, when Rock music, heavily spiced by Psychedelic influences, was breaking all the barriers and moving forward at an incredible pace. The album includes an 21+ minutes version of "The Pusher", which is in fact a freely improvised modern music, having really very little to do with Rock per se, and being closer to Free Improvised Music or Contemporary Classical Music, with extended instrumental improvisations, sound effects, dramatic crescendos, etc. The atmosphere is not far removed form what other West Coast bands were doing at the time, with similar live recordings by the DoorsFind albums by this artist, Jefferson Airplane and Grateful DeadFind albums by this artist serving as proof. "For Ladies OnlyFind albums with this title", in complete contrast to its companion, presents a completely different musical approach, although separated by mere four years. The group was now past its commercial peak, reached with the release of their first two albums, and with a solid Blues-Rock / Hard Rock image and strong songwriting serving as their forte. For their swan song they mellowed up quite a bit, dedicating the album to the ladies in their lives and expressing a strong feminist view, quite contrary to usual chauvinistic approach of most Rock musicians. The songwriting and playing is still very strong, but it´s quite clear that the band was running out of wind and it was time to quit. Kay and various version of Steppenwolf were to appear again in the future and record more albums, but nothing ever would come close to the first eight glorious albums. A classic!

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