Early Steppenwolf/For Ladies Only [CD]

BGO records does it again...combining rare out of print cd's with an eye to the collector who appreciates the effort...who else would buy this CD except real fans of Steppenwolf?

Early Steppenwolf is classic acid drenched blues rock recorded in SF before the wolf became big...great jams and the sound of heavy metal thunder on these traditional blues workouts and previews of some tracks that Steppenwolf would later record in studio.

For Ladies Only is also for men but I am not the 1st to say that it is not their best effort but found a place for fans who had trouble tracking down the original CD release.

This is an very interesting package from The Wolf. These two records are by the same band, but they could not be any more different from each other. "Early Steppenwolf", was recorded in San Francisco in May 1967 when this group was still known as: "The Sparrow". The Band played a small club named The Matrix that was owned by Marty Balin, who was the lead singer of The Jefferson Airplane. It was at one of the shows in this tiny club when by accident, the off-the-wall jamming by Nick St. Nicholas, the bassist, started The Sparrow on a new musicial direction into improv. One by one, all members of the group jumped up on the small stage and assisted Nick, doing something new for The Sparrow, who used to tightly rehearsed arrangements of the blues and rock standards of the day. The band let the music play them, and on this night they discovered their musicial voice. This jam would melt into: "The Pusher", the anti-drug song. This performance became the stuff of legends, and because of this new found release, everything in their world from this point onwards would be different.

In addition to the epic 21 minute version of: "The Pusher", the 1969 album entitled: "Early Steppenwolf" contained Steppenwolf's renditions of Howlin' Wolf and John Lee Hooker. Also found here are: "Power Play' & "Tighten Up Your Wig" from the pen of leader, vocalist/guitarist: John Kay further define the Steppenwolf sound that these amazing musicians were introducing into stoned hippy heads. As these historic recordings, were finally made public after the group had achieved major success on the pop charts, This record was met with universal praise by critics and fans alike. This record would still have been a Big Hit if only for: "Corrina, Corrina." 'Corrina, in this amazing early version is an execellent example of the powers of Steppenwolf.

In contrast, the 1971 record: "For Ladies Only" sounds as if it was produced by a totally different band. Four years had gone by since the club daze of 1967. Steppenwolf had become one of America's favorite rock bands after coining those words: "Heavy Metal Thunder" on "Born To Be Wild" John Kay, still led the band, but aside from drummer Jerry Edmonton it was a new and different band in sound and style. John Kay, stated at the time of the release of: "Ladies" that Steppenwolf had made a album that spotlighted the band's tender side of playing. Love songs by this bunch of highway hellions.....WHAA???

Well, for me "For Ladies Only" along with "Steppenwolf 7" are my two favorite records by this fantastic band {throw in, "At Your Birthday Party" onto that list as well!}. This record was not as hard-edged as the LP's of 68-69, but this is still well crafted hard rock and not soft by any measure {John Kay COULD be tender, but soft?...No way!}. 'Ladies' has some real nice songs in it's grooves. "Shackles And Chains", "The Night Time's For You" "Tenderness" & "I'm Asking". There are acoustic guitars and pianos featured in the place of roaring power chords and sonic feedback, and they are performed to perfection by these guys. This was still a top-notch band that could write excellent songs and out-play just about anyone else.

The 9 Minute: "For Ladies Only" more than hints at progressive rock with a beautiful piano passage in it's middle. This majestic gem is a classic, that should have received more attention on FM Stations back in 1971. There are hit singles here on: "Ladies", but the public gave this record a lukewarm indifference on the charts. Steppenwolf, bow would begin a Slow Slide downwards in popularity from this point onwards.

Yes, it is indeed odd to play these two very distinct records back to back. But, it does show that in four years time, evolution can be major for a rock band. Steppenwolf, are one of the greats and there is no doubt of that fact. Listen and hear why this is so.
FOUR STARS !!!

Due to contractual obligations Steppenwolf had to release 2 albums a year and these 2 came shortly after another but are the least equal. To start with the latter one, "For Ladies Only" has a smooth and polished production, but contains some of the greatest songs of the time, either written/sung by John Kane and/or other bandmembers. The instrumentation is flawless. I like this album as one of their best. No fillers or weak songs, some are really stunning, even 35 years from date. On the contrary the first album is not Steppenwolf at all (!), but the band before that, Sparrow, with some of the members which showcased in the latterday band and offered us the strong first studio album with "Born to Be Wild" (not presented here). Recorded in the Matrix in San Francisco in early 1967 (hey, remember that one from the Doors?) the music is raw, to say the least. Opener "Power Play" ends up on the "Monster" album, together with "Tighten up your Wig" (later also on "Steppenwolf The Second") the only group originals, Hoyts Axtons dreary doom "The Pusher" closer is an extended version played in that vein (the much lighter studio rendition is on the first album) whilst "Corrina, Corrina" is a not very special popsong. That leaves only two other covers unmentioned, John Lee Hookers "I'm going Upstairs" and Howlin Wolf /Willy Dixons "Howlin', for my Darlin". The band had a huge section of smash hits thereafter and offered truely great albums. That makes listening to the beginnings somewhat uneasy (the later "Live" is much much better), so it is strange that BGO combined these two toghether, which in a way is the same as combining the moon and the sun, dark and light, fire and water. These are two complete different bandoutings. Therefore try to find each album solely or at least listen to them individually. In that case they offer the most. Besides that Steppenwolf will always remain one of my everlasting favorites.