We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago…..
By 1972 it became apparent that John Kay wanted to break away from his hard-rockin Steppenwolf persona. The man who had growled out The Pusher and Magic Carpet Ride and, of course, Born to Be Wild, wanted his first solo record to be a bit different.
So, even though he used members of Steppenwolf as his backing band, and evened used “The John Kay Band” to open for Steppenwolf on their 1972 European Tour, the album “Forgotton Songs and Unsung Heroes” was something new.
Along with 4 original tunes, he also cut the Hank Williams classic “You Win Again”, Robert Johnson’s ‘Walkin Blues” , Hank Snow’s “I’m Moving On” ,”Bold Marauder” by Richard Farina and Patrick Sky’s “Many A Mile”.
About the only thing those songs have in common is they are not Born To Be Wild.
I find the album fairly compelling. Kay still has a signature voice even if he’s crooning old country songs instead of acid rockers. Although his version of “I’m Moving On” could have been a Steppenwolf song.
And the originals, while not truly compelling, are ok enough. “Walk Beside Me” is the standout for me.
“Bold Marauder” works well with his dark voice.
It’s not the first time a guy has tried to break with his musical past and it won’t be the last.
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