My Sportin’ Life

Having made a fine solo debut album that didn't sell squat, John Kay needed something to convince the suits at Dunhill that he could at least match the sales of latter day Steppenwolf LPs. Unfortunately, My Sportin' Life wasn't the answer. It's not a horrible album, but was definitely a let down for the few fans that loved Forgotten Songs, and there wasn't much for the remaining Steppenwolf fans either. Like his first album, MSL is a mix of covers & originals. Kay turns in a credible version of Drift Away, but it was no threat to Dobie Gray's hit version, even if it had been recorded first. There's also an early song by the Becker/Fagen team of Steely Dan fame. Like many of their compositions, it sounds fine, but the lyrics are impenetrable. The strong closer, Sing With The Children, written by Ron Davies (no relation to the Kinks brothers), has some nice slide guitar work.