Steppenwolf At 50

OK John Kay - So why no early Steppenwolf / Sparrow?I consider the early stuff better than most the stuff today but that's only my opinion.There are promo concerts from 1968 about - I have a few.There is a distinct lack of early recordings... ok I know they probably lack todays slickness but hey they got soul for a better word. Us old boysdig that sort of things. So what if there are a few Hic cups here and there but that should be what rock is all about!!Was the Hollywood Bowl support to the Doors ever recorded?Any thing by John Kay and Steppenwolf is great but I just wish live at 25 had not been included - missed opportunity in my opinion that's why only 4 stars.

Excellent collection of not only the classic Steppenwolf years but also the John Kay and Steppenwolf period, which is very interesting because of the almost equal and sometimes even higher quality of the songs over the years. Also, this collection contains some songs very hard to find elsewhere, plus two completely unreleased songs from the early '70s.

John Kay can still sing.

Ok

Not many bands can issue a box set like this - 50 years is a long time.This isn't an "ordinary" best of set. The classic songs is hidden here and there, either in live versions or other versions than the ones we already know.This collection covers not only Steppenwolf songs, but also fine songs from John Kay' s solo career- and not at least songs from the John Kay & Steppenwolf era, but none from the Sparrow days.Super fans will find goodies like " From Here to There, Eventually" in a version where the band does the choir, not like the version we know from the Monster album.The B-side to " Caroline, Are You Ready etc...", the instrumental " Angeldrawers" is included. This one has never been out on any album or CD." Magic Carpet Ride" with Grandmaster Flash is also included . This one has only been available on maxi single and on Grandmaster Flash' s album ( with John Kay singing along)." Give Me Life" , which isn't included on " Feed the Fire" album, is also included.From John Kay's solo projects in 1972 and 1973 is two out takes that really makes it worth all the money; " Compared to What" and "Labor of Love". " Compared to What" should have been released as a single in the period it was recorded - it would have been a hit! Here many years later we can realize how the lyrics fits right in to the current political situation in the US.The cover on the CD is taken form a 1969 poster. It has a psychedelic touch, but I guess that was what Steppenwolf would be called as a band when they started out in 1967.Booklet: 8 pages with photos, informations and liner notes form John Kay himself.It is a little bit low budget speaking of the cover and booklet. Celebrating a 50 years jubilee shouldn't hold you back when it comes to the presentation.The entire third CD is live tracks taken from " Live at 25". Instead of using this material it would have been more interesting using live material, we know excist but hasn't been released before. Here, I'm thinking of the version of " Monster" from " Live in London" or John Kay band live from Koncerthuset in Gothenburg, Sweden, from 1972. The live songs on CD 3 is with a gap between some of the songs which doesn't make it feel like your listening to a full concert. It would have been a must if we had some live recordings never released before, but this must be due to legal wrangling between record companies et al that makes this impossible.Putting it all together, I will recommend this box- set, mostly because it covers the entire lifespan of Steppenwolf. Also some of the " goodies" is so fantastic that we fans shouldn't t be without them. Cover/ Booklet: 5 out of 6 starsThe three CD' s: 5 out of 6 stars