Customer Reviews

Born to Be Wild: History of Steppenwolf

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This double-disc set begins with two 1966 songs by the Canadian band Sparrow that would change its name to Steppenwolf by 1968. "Twisted" is a rocking John Kay original. "Good Morning Little School Girl" is a capable cover of the Sonny Boy Williamson classic with Kay playing harmonica.

Steppenwolf's debut is the most liberally represented on this set (seven tracks in all), including classics like "Sookie Sookie," "The Pusher" and, of course, the biker anthem "Born To Be Wild."

Frequent personnel changes didn't affect the quality of music. Steppenwolf the Second produced "Don't Step on the Grass, Sam" and their second million-seller hit "Magic Carpet Ride."

By the release of Steppenwolf 7, the hits had pretty much dried up, but the band was still releasing terrific music. (While in college I caught Steppenwolf supporting this album.) "Snowblind Friend" is a tender anti-drug song. "Who Needs You" and "Screaming Night Hog" are solid rockers.

In 1972 Kay formally disbands Steppenwolf. The two solo tracks from this period are a rousing interpretation of Hank Snow's "I'm Movin' On" and the autobiographical "My Sportin' Life," featuring Kay on accoustic guitar and Dobro.

In 1974 Kay re-forms Steppenwolf with Jerry Edmonton (drums) and Goldy McJohn (keyboards) from the original band. Their music is as strong as any of their sixties' material. The Jerry Edmonton-penned "Straight-Shootin' Woman" becomes the band's last single when it peaks at No. 29 in 1974.

One of the highlights of this set is the previously unreleased "Live Your Life" from 1977 with Lowell George on slide guitar. Another is the inclusion of the live version of "Born To Be WIld" from their appearance at Farm Aid III (which I had the joy of being at).

If all you want are the hits, there are some single-disc compilations available that will suffice, but none of them cover Steppenwolf's career as thoroughly as this. RECOMMENDED

MCA Records has continued to released and re-release tons of Steppenwolf compilations over the years with the same songs, this is the only one that bears any identity in the pile. This 2-CD set is like a Steppenwolf history book, containing two Sparrow tracks from 1966 and covers the "Rise and Shine" album from 1990, and in between the 'Wolf hits and John Kay solo recordings. If you want a good insight, and excellent sound quality (which the current budget series reissues are lacking) and don't want to spend a lot, this is a good starting point. What would make this all complete for listeners is for Epic to re-release "Reborn to Be Wild" a collection of what the 'Wolf did between '74 and '76, then we would have a complete summary in 3 CDs...

Born To Be Wild "Retrospective" is a wopping 34 song tribute to Steppenwolf. This is Real Rock !! PowerHouse Rock !! Steppenwolf to this day still dedicate themselves to bringing us Rock n Roll. The style of Rock n Roll that we have craved and thrived on for decades. Steppenwolf Music is the "Rebel Rock" that speaks to all of us free spirited Rebels in the world.
This Retrospective comes with a fact filled booklet that gives an in depth history of Steppenwolf including some Great Photos.
The booklet alone is worth the price of admission. And thats just for starters. The encore presentation in this collection is the music.
Be prepared to get your rocks off with Hits like:
Magic Carpet Ride- Sookie Sookie- Rock Me- Move Over- Everybody's Next One- For Ladies Only- It's Never Too Late-
The Pusher- Screaming Night Hog- Born To Be Wild-
Hey Lawdy Mama- and the John Kay Hit "I'm Movin On".

Steppenwolf "Retrospective" is for everyone and anyone who wants a little wolf in their lives. John Kay calls this an Excellent Collection of the bands music. Today, Steppenwolf operates without any major label financing. They even have their own in house 24 track recording studio and they continue to tour several months out of the year.
Final thought:
There is nothing retro about this Retrospective.
It is as current today as it was back then. "Go For It" !!

Steppenwolf/ A Retrospective/ Born to be wild (2 CD set): Steppenwolf knew how to put together a great song but not necessarily a great album. The closest they came to one great album was their first, and all but a few cuts from that album are on this 2 CD set, along with the rest of their best. I also like the fact that they added John Kay's version of the Hank Snow hit "I'm Movin' On" which is great. This 2 CD set has everything you'll need in a Steppenwolf collection. It's a Five star set.

I enjoyed listening to this entire 2cd package. Steppenwolf, like many of the groups of the late 60's and early 70's had their own unique sound. You know a John Kay song when you hear it. This is good sounding and represents the group well - highly recommended.

This is the ultimate Steppenwolf album! Fans of late 60's psychadelic/progressive rock will really appreciate this one. The songs included chronicle John Kay's rise to rock history, from his membership in the band "The Sparrow" through the drug-induced 60's and the formation of his now-famous band.

Along with Iron Butterfly, I consider Steppenwolf to be one of the bands that really defined the psychadelic rock scene in the late 60's, until the arrival of Led Zeppelin blew everyone away.

You will NOT be dissapointed with this collection. From "Twisted" to the much later live version of "Born To Be Wild" and Kay's 80's projects, Steppenwolf's folk and R&B roots can clearly be heard.

This compilation is not for the casual Steppenwolf fan; there are "best of" albums out there for you. If you are interested in the evolution and metamorphosis of rock n' roll bands, however, this 2-CD set is for you.

Even with two disks you will be hard pressed to find a mediocre song. The transfer from vinyl to CD worked and many of your favorites are here. If you skip tracks to get though them you will be missing many essential tracks. Growing up with Steppenwolf as with any music you grow up with there is special meaning to many of these tracks that ad to the value. I was dating a girl named Sue so "Sookie Sookie" became her theme song. Today she can live on as a ring tone. And more than ever "Monster/Suicide/America" is more relevant than ever.

If you buy only one Steppenwolf album, consider this the one.

Monster

This is a wonderful collection of Steppenwolf. However, I was unaware that this CD set was transfered from analog tape and absolutely contains hiss and anomalies. I would have never purchased this particular recording on CD. The sound quality is so poor that it can only be listened to at a low volume level-quite unfortunate for tunes such as Born to Be Wild, Sookie Sookie and Magic Carpet Ride. Don't waste your money if you have become accustomed to and expect excellent sound quality from a CD. The music is good-just should have been digitally remastered or why bother?

You hear Steppenwolf these days next to Metallica and Motorhead and it's kinda hard to say their name and "heavy metal" in the same breath. But so what? John Kay's delivered the goods for nigh on thirty-two years now and most of it's goods worth hearing. There's a few duff tunes in this collection, especially "Monster," a political anthem in 1970 that sounds awfully dated now. But "Ride With Me," "Rock Me," "Jupiter Child," "Snowblind Friend," "Sookie Sookie" and, but of course,"Born To Be Wild," The Pusher" and "Magic Carpet Ride".........all there, all good, all smokin'. Good deal!

I've been thinking of this theme since 28 years ago! since I happen to watch "Easy Rider" in a movie theater. Whenever I ride a bike or move too fast , it reminds me of that movie and especially the said theme. No more to say. If there was no Internet , I had no chance to hear the song again. Thanks Internet . Many thanks amazon.com !!