Search - Stephen Stills :: Stephen Stills

Stills IS and WAS CS&N!

Fred M. Ogburn III | Camden, SC USA | 01/26/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Let me add my voice to the chorus of complaints regarding the "official" review of Stephen Stills' first solo album. Stephen Stills was certainly not the most accomplished member of CSN&Y (I am a die-hard Rustie), but Stills IS and WAS CS&N. It was his band. It was his sound. It was his intrumental prowess. It was (mostly) his songs. Crosby and Nash were his backing singers, for crying out loud (albeit very, very good ones!).



I seldom come down hard publicly on anyone, but the assessment of Still's contributions to CS&N by the Amazon reviewer is one of the most astonishingly ignorant musical opinions I have ever read online (a rather strong statement, I think most of you will agree).



As to this particular album, if you played it for a novice they would believe it was a long lost CS&N album. It glories in the strong points of that illustrious and legendary group; alas, it suffers from their weaknesses when Neil Young was not part of the equation (occasionally too lush, California soft-rockish, or bombastic). But well worth the ride. Read the liner notes and dig Hendrix, Clapton, and other contributors. But it's Stills' gig.



(NOTE: I cannot vouch for the remastered version; I am reviewing the album as a work of art.)"

Reviewer McNutt

Quantum Leaper | Denver, CO United States | 05/29/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm sorry, the reviewer states that Stills was not the most accomplished member of CSNY or CSN...so who was, Graham Nash? Please...this man wrote the songs that eventually MADE these guys superstars: Suite Judy Blue Eyes, Wooden Ships (with Paul Kantner), Carry On. The reviewer is just flat out wrong. Stills is a masterful guitarist AND songwriter...this album has Clapton and Hendrix adding their indisputable talents to an artist whose talent is, itself, indisputable. Stills other solo efforts are equally as good - Manassas is a kickass album that I have replaced 2X because I have worn it out from overuse. Gavin McNutt should stick to reviewing Abba albums..."

By far, best CSN solo project

Michael Patton | Mineral Wells, WV, US | 06/30/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Amazon reviewer is off his nut, plain and simple. Never before have I read nor heard such nonsense. Stills wrote or co-wrote CSNY's most enduring songs: "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes", "Wooden Ships", "Carry On", "Helplessly Hoping", "You Don't Have To Cry", "4+20", "Dark Star", "Southern Cross". He and Young were equally heart and soul of The Springfield, whose sole hit was a Stills tune, "For What It's Worth", and whose best song, "Bluebird", was also Stills-penned. As a musician, he leaves the others in the dust, as all three have often admitted. The band's sound was HIS sound..check out Crosby's meager contributions to The Byrds (aside from his great harmonizing): nothing there points to "Guinnevere". Similarly, Nash's output with The Hollies was pure pop, though his songwriting was crucial. Still, nothing from that band came close to challenging the earth-shaking innovations being set forth by Stills and Young across the Atlantic. Stephen Stills' awesome studio skills matched his musical abilities, setting the tone for what became the phenom known as Crosby, Stills and Nash. Neil Young gave 'em "Ohio", "Helpless", and "Country Girl", and not much else. Graham Nash's hippie songs are of their time and have dated pretty badly ("Marrakesh Express", "Pre-Road Downs", "Our House", "Chicago"), and David Crosby has often found himself being carried by Stills and Nash (the DAYLIGHT AGAIN album), while "Almost Cut My Hair" remains CSNY's dumbest and weakest song ever.



STEPHEN STILLS is a great album. Curiously, the biggest hit, "Love The One You're With", is the lamest song, but it's followed by one of Stills' finest moments, "Do For The Others", beautifully written, arranged and produced, exploding with his trademark acoustic guitar sound, which few have matched in any genre. The man really shows his stuff on this record..killer organ playing, wah-wahing through "Go Back Home" before cueing Clapton to take over, singing with abandon throughout. And the guest list: "Slowhand", Hendrix, Ringo, Mama Cass, Crosby and Nash et al! On "Old Times Good Times", Jimi sheds the pyro's and offers one of his best solos, understated (for him) yet brilliant. This album sounds as good now as it did 40 years ago. Can't say the same for "If Only..Name" or "Songs For Beginners". (Young's solo stuff doesn't count here; he's always saved his best material for himself.) My personal favorite tracks: "Do For The Others", "Sit Yourself Down", "Church (Part Of Someone)", "Old Times Good Times", "To A Flame" (Ringo on drums..yes!), "Go Back Home", in that order.



Hey Amazon: Fire that idiot writer of yours and hire ME!



Hey Amazon: Fire that idiot writer of yours and hire ME!"