Sunday, May 2, 2021

Steppenwolf ‎- Hour Of The Wolf (1975 canada / us, groovy fresh classic rock, 2018 remaster)



By this time Jerry Edmonton had taken over the art direction and started working with a photographer named Lori Sullivan. Together they created the “Hour Of The Wolf” album artwork. Andy Chapin replaced long time keyboardist Goldy McJohn on this album, and played a major role in bringing that added punch, fresh new sound to the band. 

Once again they recorded at John Kay's studio but the record was mixed by Roy Halee who had worked with John Kay during the days with “The Sparrow”. Roy, who is a renowned engineer, gave the album it’s full and varied sound. “Mr. Penny Pincher” and “Another’s Lifetime” were fine songs  also  “Someone Told A Lie”, while Mars Bonfire (of Born to be Wild fame) contributed a timely new tune called “Caroline, Are You Ready For The Outlaw World”. That track also featured Tom Scott playing a burning sax solo through a leslie. 

Overall the album was less raw and bluesy then some previous Wolf efforts but it showed some of our other musical sides to good advantage. Unfortunately label “Mums Records” folded just when this album was released and so it was more or less ignored by Epic who was Mums distributor.
Tracks
1. Caroline (Are You Ready For The Outlaw World) (Mars Bonfire) - 4:51
2. Annie, Annie Over (Alan O'Day) - 4:10
3. Two For The Love Of One (George Biondo, Jerry Edmonton) - 3:44
4. Just For Tonight (Bobby Cochran, Jerry Edmonton) - 5:38
5. Hard Rock Road (Jerry Edmonton) - 3:30
6. Someone Told A Lie (Bobby Cochran, Jerry Edmonton, John Kay) - 5:04
7. Another's Lifetime (Wayne Berry) - 4:34
8. Mr. Penny Pincher (Van Dunson) - 6:14
9. Caroline (Are You Ready For The Outlaw World) (Mars Bonfire) - 3:22
10.Angeldrawers (Andy Chapin, George Biondo, Jerry Edmonton, John Kay) - 3:46
Bonus Tracks 9-10

Steppenwolf
*John Kay - Lead Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica
*Jerry Edmonton - Drums, Percussion, Vocals
*George Biondo - Bass, Vocals
*Bobby Cochran - Lead Guitar, Vocals
*Andy Chapin - Keyboards, Vocals
With
*Tom Scott - Horns

1969  Early Steppenwolf (1967 Live, Japan SHM mini lp)
1969  At Your Birthday Party (Japan SHM 2013 remaster)
1969  Monster (2013 japan SHM issue)
1970  Live (2013 Japan SHM edition)