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Stills less accomplished?

Brad Kelly | Belle Mead, NJ USA | 07/14/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Who the heck is Gavin McNett? Neil Young may be untouchable. And as much as I like Crosby and Nash. Let's see, Suite Judy Blue Eyes, Helplessly Hoping versus Long Time Gone and Lady of the Island?"

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!"

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..."