Search - John Kay :: Heretics & Privateers

He Cannot Be Denied

Delton Grassmid | USA | 07/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"John proves to all his fans that this album has been well worth the wait. It covers all his musical styles of folk, rock, and heavy on the blues. The song writing is outstanding; why he is not held in the regard of Dylan and Simon is beyond me. He really lets you in to his heart and soul when you hear his story come out in songs like The Women In My Life and Don't Waste My Time. You may have heard some of thees songs prior to release; he has performed She's Got The Goods and Endless Commercial on tour with the Wolf. Other stand out tracks include The Backpage and the Title Track Heretics and Privateers which speak of people trying to do the right things and listen to their heart in a society that does'nt always wish you to do so. I should also mention the sond Sleep With One Eye Open which does a beautiful job of capturing and evil presance of what the writer sees as a sometimes troubled society. If you love writers of great lyrics this album must be in your collection"

Rock Music Legend Still Growing

Arctic Voice Earl | 05/11/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a fan of John Kay and the rock group Steppenwolf since first hearing them in the mid to late 1960s. And it has always been a combination of hard-driving music, with thoughtful lyrics. John has never been afraid to take a stand ---for peace, tolerance and first amendment rights. This is especially meaningful since he and his family escaped from Communist East Germany when he was a boy. Songs like "Monster" and "Draft Resister" helped many of us get through the wild and frustrating 1960s.Now as Steppenwolf nears its 35th anniversary, John Kay is once again trying a solo album, and he does very well. Aided by some very capable musicians, including Steve Cropper and also members of the present Steppenwolf on some cuts. And this is more blues oriented than the typical Steppenwolf efforts. It is easy to tell that John enjoyed going back to his roots and working on this project. Some of the songs really move, including "Ain't That a Shame," while virtually all of them make a person think---about our society and what is right, and what is wrong or wasteful. Titles like "The Endless Commercial" and "Don't Waste My Time" speak for themselves. So get the CD and enjoy it, especially if you have a player in your car, and can play it on a solitary drive through a scenic, wild area. Or at least somewhere you won't be disturbed or distracted. And don't pass up a chance to see John Kay in person, be it sitting on a porch somewhere playing the blues, or fronting past and present members of Steppenwolf and "Get Your Motor Running.....Heading Down the Highway....." Enjoy. Earl Finkler"

Johns got the Goods!

Bluematter | Colorado | 06/26/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Excellent solo outing from the chairman of Steppenwolf. John Kay has always been a rock and roll social conscious for the American ideal and he serves us up a great selection of thought provoking tunes on this effort. "Sleep with one eye open" will make you revist the past couple of years headlines and cause you consternation at the very least. It ranks up their with "Monster" in making us take a look at ourselves. Only this time, this song and the rest take a domestic and humanistic approach rather than the harsh look at US foreign policy. Overall this is an excellent CD that has a blues feel to it, and with the subject matter of John's lyrics it is a perfect match."