Jul 25 2023
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2
Music for people who clap when an airplane lands.
Neil Young is Mario, David Crosby is Luigi, and Stephen Stills is Toad. I will not elaborate further, but there are mountains of factual evidence to support my claim.
Four albums featuring this guy on a list like this is insanity. That's like four crusty phone videos by your drunk neighbor Ted on a "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die" list.
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Jun 14 2024
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3
Imagine being Stephen Stills. You’re in Buffalo Springfield, responsible for many of their hits, you’re their leader, but there’s high tensions, due in no small part to a creative tension between you and Neil Young. So the band breaks up and you start a new band with the guy from the Hollies and the guy from the Byrds that likes to write songs about threesomes.
You bust your ass recording a debut album where you play the majority of the instruments: a real tour-de-force showcase for your talents and it is massively successful, a smash hit.
What is your next move?
To fill out your arrangements live, you, for some reason, invite Neil Young, the guy who tried to take over to your last band, to join the band. There’s no way he’d do it again, right?
Young’s arrival brings even more success to the band: the follow up album you record with him goes to number 1, sells 8 million copies…but the recording sessions were full of conflict and you find yourself butting heads with Neil Young once again. There’s no way he’s going to do it again…try and take control from you over *your* band, right?
Neil Young: “I’ll fucken do it again”
Then, a month after your album is released, May 1970, the Kent State massacre happens. Neil Young walks into the woods and comes up with “Ohio”. You and the boys put some vocal harmonies over his song, which is more aggressive than anything else you’ve ever recorded. Your record company rushes the song out for release at the same time that “Teach your Children Well” is climbing the charts. You go on an extended tour that summer and by July 1970, CSNY is calling it quits.
So, you, Stephen Stills, start a solo career and have success, but your old foil, Neil Young is starting to have hit after hit, becoming a massive star. By the time 1974 rolls around and Young agrees to reunite CSNY for a stadium tour, he is the pretty much the main draw and a precedent has been set: CSNY only happens when Neil wants it to happen. The success of the band you started, the band whose career was started by the excellent record you toiled over in the studio, is now fully dependent on Neil Young being around to pull in a big payday and Neil has had no problem pulling the plug on CSNY at a moment’s notice. Sure, CSN can draw a crowd, but CSNY is another story and that’s how it’s going to go for the next 40 years.
Now, reader, I’m sure you’re feeling pretty bad for Stephen Stills. What an outcome for the guy who was supposed to be “it”. Don’t feel too bad…for starters, he’s got tons of money, he treated Neil Young pretty poorly, to the extent that a few of his albums after this one have a Neil Young cover on it as a sort of mea culpa, but also…he managed to get one of Jimi Hendrix’s last solos captured on tape for this album (Good Times Old Times) and then proceeded to bury parts of it under his own organ playing (that’s not a euphemism, get your mind out of the gutter). If you’re still feeling bad for Stills after all that, go ahead and listen to his 1978 album, “Thoroughfare Gap”. Any good will you still had for the man will evaporate in no time - Seriously, you owe it to yourself, as means of better understanding Stephen Stills, to hear “You Can’t Dance Alone” and especially “Can’t Get No Booty”.
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Oct 15 2023
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5
I am a stereotype but sometimes that's okay.
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Nov 10 2023
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2
A timely companion to After The Gold Rush earlier in the week. Went into this with low expectations, as I have thought Love The One You're With to be a weird and terrible song since I saw Bucks Fizz perform it at Thorpe Park randomly over 35 years ago (disappointingly instead of their current hit at the time which was a real banger, even without any ripped skirts). But I digress: LTOYW is awful here too, the rest isn't as bad although run-of-the-mill, '70s singer/songwriter stuff. Go Back Home is pretty good. Stills seems to be the least interesting of the CSNY set, but I've heard worse solo albums. Yawn
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Jul 13 2023
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4
3.5
considering i expected to really dislike this, i was pleasantly surprised. the first half was definitely stronger than the latter in my opinion but it was overall very pleasant background music while i was getting ready. church was my favourite it made me quite happy to listen to.
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Nov 10 2024
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3
Is it bad? No. But is it good? Also, no.
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Jul 05 2024
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3
At times good, at times less good.
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Jun 24 2024
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4
No. 205/1001
Love the One You're With 4/5
Do for the Others 4/5
Church 4/5
Old Times Good Times 3/5
Go Back Home 3/5
Sit Yourself Down 4/5
To a Flame 4/5
Black Queen 3/5
Cherokee 3/5
We Are Not Hopeless 4/5
Average: 3,6
Nothing groundbreaking. But am enjoyable folk-rock album.
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Nov 10 2023
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4
Stephen Stills' Stephen Stills hung out with me on my drives to and from my first day of work on this continent, amiably addled company on the way in, something of a guardian angel through the scary rainstorm coming home. Just a very easy album to get on with, hang-out yacht rock. The tunes are laid back, as are the jams - long enough to get absorbed in, short enough to swerve tedium. It's more a vehicle for eyes-closed emotional vibes than for melodies. Earnest, sincere and hopeful, this is music I would once have despised, mistaking doomed idealism for complacency.
What the heck is the percussion doing on the opening Bucks Fizz song? Whatever it is, I like it! ‘Love the One You’re With’, I can imagine Clapton hiding behind his heroin beard when Stills was playing that back to him. This list always leads me back to Clapton, my Anti-Mecca.
And Neil Young, my hairy Vatican. With one eye to Si's review, this is not as good as 'After the Gold Rush', but better than Young's songs on 'Deja Vu'.
On that subject, this record has inspired an idea to reenact the making of Robert Altman’s “The Big Sleep”, with Stephen Stills as Philip Marlowe/Elliott Gould, Graham Nash as gangster Marty Augustine, David Crosby as Sterling Hayden/Roger Wade/Hemingway, Rita Coolidge as Eileen, John Lennon and Yoko Ono as Robert Altman, and special guest star Eric Clapton as Terry Lennox, whom will be shot by Stills at the climax. Neil Young will play the naked hippy girls living across from Stills. As too many of the cast are already dead, this will have to be a written exercise. The twist ending is a final shot of Crosby/Hayden rising back out of the night sea, eyes black, described in Hemingway barks.
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Jun 12 2023
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4
Okay
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Oct 10 2024
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2
Guitar work is great but the song structure is just so...straightforward. Feels like an album full of studio musicians propping up a talented guitarist.
Some really abrupt endings. Cherokee into We Are Not Helpless is jarring.
Fav Track: Love the One You're With
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Jul 31 2024
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2
Right, I literally don't know who he is. I'm not being stupid or anything, but I physically don't know who Stephen Stills is. He could be the leader of the Special Boat Squadron Service.
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Jan 16 2025
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5
Un gran placer el tiempo que pase con este álbum, un gran placer
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Dec 19 2024
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5
Awesome
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Dec 13 2024
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5
Really great album. Heavy on the blues with some great folky lyrics.
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Nov 15 2024
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5
Rock me to sleep, Steve.
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Nov 14 2024
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5
Delightfully jammy. It’s got that classic CSN palette, but applied in a looser way. I dig it.
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Oct 30 2024
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5
peak folk rock. Core rock instrumentals without getting too loud. amazing album from start to finish
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Oct 30 2024
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5
loved this album, very soft melodie’s
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Oct 14 2024
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5
Damn, I expected soft and tender just from seeing the album cover, instead I got rich, thoughtful and expressive. I resonated with this album on an emotional level. Stills' musical choices on the album hit home quite right. He also knows how to keep the tempo going throughout the album. His amazing feel for composing and lyricism really shines in this solo debut album. It was also amazing to read about his inspiration wrought from Jimi Hendrix and his regret of not making a full album with the man.
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Sep 20 2024
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5
Where has this been all my life? The songs on this album vary between great and excellent. Stephen Stills possesses a brilliant voice, awesome songwriting ability, AND he is a top notch guitarist.
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Sep 18 2024
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5
Quite enjoyable.
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Aug 18 2024
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5
If you can't listen to the album you love, honey, love the album you're with. And I did today. One I've never listened to, but so good!
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Aug 18 2024
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5
Super-duper!!
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Aug 18 2024
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5
Outstanding. Please play Love the One You’re With at my funeral. Thanks.
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Aug 18 2024
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5
What an exceptional album… didn’t realize how Stephen Stills played all those instruments… didn’t realize Rita Coolidge busted up CSNY… didn’t realize that the song “Love The One You’re With” - a fantastically realistic love song - came from such a great album.
Just terrific!
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Aug 16 2024
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5
Such familiar sound. Feels like I've known him forever without eer knowing who it was. Great album
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Aug 11 2024
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5
Favorite Track: Go Back Home
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Jul 30 2024
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5
..Ja fanfaairt soivat..
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Jul 11 2024
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5
Well now. Another confirmation for me that this list is a delightful use of my time. I absolutely loved this. Funky, rocky gospel nonsense with someone talking to God on a Hammond? just take my money
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Jun 28 2024
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5
JAMS
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Jun 25 2024
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5
Still one of the best albums of all time. It is incredibly varied with consistent high quality. Stills is a formidable singer, guitarist, songwriter and overall musician.
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May 12 2024
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5
this was a lovely surprise
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May 06 2024
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5
Absolutely great - every song was remarkable. I had heard of Stills just from Crosby, Stills & Nash but never actually listened to him separately. Will definitely add to my favourites and listen to it again.
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Apr 17 2024
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5
great album i love the acoustic feel mixed with the gospel additions on some of the tracks. lyrics go from so so to really good so they even out. the blues fusion with roots notes is perfect. best songs: church, love the one you’re with, we are not helpless
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Mar 13 2024
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5
Hat Spaß gemacht
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Jan 29 2024
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5
Engaging and fun. Great album… Stephen jumped up to my top rated artists.
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Jan 25 2024
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5
BL: I've heard the name Steven Stills be mentioned a few times but never really got the chance to dig into him in any particular way so will be excited to hear this record.
AL: I loved this record a lot. The perfect mix between emotional ballads and more traditionally upbeat story writing. Highly worth the listen, stylistically nothing mindblowing especially for the time. But the musicianship and lyricism was highly worth the listen. Also a special mention to a very cool (but very 70s) cover art
FT: "Love the One You're With", "Church", "To a Flame", "We Are Not Helpless"
5/5
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Jan 21 2024
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5
Slow and beautiful
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Jan 19 2024
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5
great
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Jan 14 2024
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5
This was a complete surprise. I knew Love the One You’re With and I thought the rest would just be him noodling.
This whole record maintains the heights of its first track. This is great 70s blues and keep an amazing momentum throughout
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Jan 08 2024
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5
Soup for the soul.
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Dec 28 2023
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5
My First «play on repeat»-album! Right up my alley, and this will be a stater in my collection. Awesome songwriting, great musicianship, and a whole album I enjoyed from start to end.
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Dec 15 2023
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5
Aika kova. Ei ihan kympin kokonaisuus, mut kai tää silti viiteen tähteen pyöristyy. Folkkia, countria, bluesia, gospelia.. kaikki 70-luvun saundeilla ja menolla.
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Dec 13 2023
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5
Liked this wayyyy more than I thought I would, thought it'd just be cool songwriting but the amount of different styles and themes across this album while still remaining super cohesive is fantastic. Cool asf
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Dec 06 2023
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5
A nice album from an incredible songwriter. I wish he had more songs to make this album a little longer, though.
4.7/5
Favorite: “Sit Yourself Down”
Least Favorite: “Cherokee”
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Dec 05 2023
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5
Hendrix and Clapton as features on the same record is pretty incredible. Then you’re gonna flute it up another notch on Cherokee? Get out of town
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Dec 05 2023
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5
Didn't really care for his collab work with Bing Crosby and Ogden Nash, but this album kinda slaps.
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Nov 03 2023
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5
Really enjoyed that album and there are definitely some songs, i will enjoy further on. Never heard of Stephen Stills before, but his lyrics and guitar skills are outstanding and top class. I am really glad now, having joined this 1001 gen app.
My top 3 in a particular order are:
1) Do for the Others
2) Go Back Home (awesome song concerning the sequences of e guitar, bass and piano. Outstanding e guitar solo btw)
3) Black Queen (really enjoyed the country style guitar parts)
4.8
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Nov 03 2023
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5
Significant contributer to the rock genre. I‘m loving the blues and rock combinations in the songs. Knew him already from CSN(&Y). Love their songs too.
Personal Top3 in no order:
Old Times Good Times
Go Back Home
Black Queen
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Oct 15 2023
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5
One of the first vinyls I bought because it was easily obtainable at thrift stores. It kicks ass. Love the whole thing still to this day
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Sep 27 2023
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5
Great record.
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Sep 22 2023
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5
Man this was really great. Great arrangement, vocals, songs, and not horribly dated like much of the stuff of the era. Very strong from start to finish. 9/10.
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Sep 08 2023
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5
I enjoyed that hell out of this. Really good songwriting, delightful performances, and great production. There's such a good blues vibe here. It's chill but still energetic.
I can't really find anything bad to say about this one. Over the corse of the relatively short album it steadily rose from a 4 to a 5-star album. That's despite the saxophones and jazz flute, mind you. The guitar work on "Black Queen" alone is enough to overcome a half-dozen saxophone solos. Which is good because "Cherokee" pushes my limits on both.
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Sep 04 2023
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5
4.95/5 je reexoute. Très bon e chanson d'un super artiste.
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Jul 21 2023
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5
I thought this would be mostly Americana songs in the vein of Love the One You're With, but it was very eclectic. Some blues, soul, and funk mixed in. And I enjoyed reading about and listening for the other notable musicians who contributed, like Ringo and Hendrix.
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Jul 18 2023
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5
Pleasant surprise. A little more three dimensional than CSN, a little more 'rawk.'
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Jul 01 2023
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5
Can't do much better than Stephen Stills.
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Jun 26 2023
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5
What a tremendous album from the Stills of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. Album standouts include Love The One Your With, Do For Others, Old Times Good Times, Go Back Home, Cherokee, and We Are Not Helpless.
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Jun 25 2023
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5
All those years I thought that voice belonged to David Crosby
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Jun 16 2023
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5
Something about this type of music that just soothes my soul!
Just good old classic folk rock with some awesome harder guitar riffs in there. And backing guitar in sone tracks by Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and other legends! This is a great album.
Listen again: yes
Purchase for my collection: yes
Favourite Song: Love The One You’re With
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Jan 16 2025
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4
Church is my fav. Gol. So good. Go back home. Good hell I love it. Dang. I liked this a bunch.
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Jan 15 2025
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4
Great rock album - sounds really 70s for being released in 1970. Worth looking up all the people he got to play on this one
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Jan 13 2025
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4
I really liked this. I was expecting a folk-ish, singer-songwriter album, which it was. That isn't really one of my genres but I haven't explored it much. I like this because there are small hints of other genres as well.
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Jan 12 2025
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4
Vraiment dans les mêmes eaux que CSN&Y ou encore Crosby ou Young solo (évidemment). Mais j'ai préféré cet album à celui de Crosby et beaucoup de Young aussi. Je peux bien croire qu'il était une force majeure derrière le super groupe mentionné plus tôt. 7/10
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Jan 10 2025
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4
Wavers a little over the course of the album but underlying is an absolute desire for perfection. Every note has conviction. Hendrix, Clapton and Starr just helping out on some tracks is testament to Stills talent
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Jan 09 2025
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4
4.25
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Jan 09 2025
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4
A very good record, where you get the full arsenal of Stills. The album has some folky moments ala (CSN/CSNY), gospel infused songwriting and hard rock with killer guitar (guess spot of Hendrix). With only one hit song, the other songs really stand out, shoutout my favorite "To a Flame" and could have been played on the radio. Had to give this 2 listens to fully embrace it and could see myself liking it more on more listens. 4 stars
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Jan 04 2025
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4
this is good but doesn't really feel very distinct from its contemporaries in any way that would make me a repeat visitor
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Jan 02 2025
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4
After reading the top review on this site saying that this is music for people who clap when an airplane lands, I was somewhat concerned that I quite liked the opening track. Happily the very next track was a bit of a let down.
After a complete listen, I am gonna have to rate this better than average though. The great tracks are actually great, and the weaker ones are at least passable. Since the album is short it doesn’t get tired.
I guess I’ll live with being a middle aged dude and liking this album, but I still have no plans of applauding pilots for doing the minimum expected of their role.
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Dec 29 2024
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4
Classic American rock. They don't make music like this anymore.
Favorites: Love the One Your With, Go Back Home, Cherokee
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Dec 29 2024
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4
Damn ok soulful white boy
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Dec 25 2024
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4
Surprisingly funky in places.
I wasn’t expecting that, but it was a pleasant surprise and this made for a nice listen whilst cooking on Christmas Eve.
A good length and easy to listen to, although the last couple of songs weren’t as strong. Side A makes this well worth a listen though.
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Dec 23 2024
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4
An absolute classic opener backed by 9 more classic tracks.
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Dec 11 2024
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4
Nice simple singer/songwriter album. Classic tracks, pleasant ballads, and jamming blues inspired make for a jaunty listen.
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Dec 06 2024
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4
first listen
it good
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Dec 02 2024
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4
## In-Depth Review of *Stephen Stills* by Stephen Stills
Stephen Stills' self-titled debut album, released on November 16, 1970, stands as a significant entry in the rock canon. Emerging from the shadows of his work with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY), this album showcases Stills' multifaceted talents as a musician and songwriter. The album reflects the tumultuous personal and professional landscape of the time, marked by themes of love, loss, and the search for identity.
### Lyrics
The lyrics of *Stephen Stills* traverse a range of emotional landscapes, often drawing from personal experiences. Stills' songwriting is characterized by:
- **Introspection and Vulnerability**: Songs like "Do for the Others" explore themes of romantic longing and emotional turmoil. The lyrics reveal a deep sense of yearning, capturing the essence of relationships that are both fulfilling and fraught with complications.
- **Countercultural Reflections**: Many tracks resonate with the ideals of the 1960s counterculture, reflecting societal changes and personal struggles. For instance, "Love the One You're With" embodies a carefree yet poignant approach to love and connection amidst chaos.
- **Imagery and Metaphor**: Stills employs vivid imagery in his lyrics, as seen in "Old Times Good Times," which evokes nostalgia while grappling with loss. The metaphors often serve to deepen the listener's engagement with the music.
However, some critiques point out that certain lyrics can veer into cliché or heavy-handedness. For example, "Church (Part of Someone)" has been described as nearly too earnest in its delivery, which may detract from its impact.
### Music
Musically, *Stephen Stills* is a rich tapestry that blends various genres:
- **Folk and Blues Influences**: The album features acoustic and electric blues elements that highlight Stills' prowess as a guitarist. Tracks like "You Don't Love Me" showcase his ability to reinterpret blues standards with a fresh perspective.
- **Gospel Elements**: Songs such as "Sit Yourself Down" incorporate gospel influences, characterized by vibrant melodies and harmonies that elevate the emotional weight of the lyrics. The backing vocals add depth to the arrangement, creating a communal feel.
- **Rock and Experimental Sounds**: The presence of legendary musicians like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton adds an experimental edge to the album. Hendrix's guitar work on "Old Times Good Times" is particularly noteworthy, blending seamlessly with Stills' organ arrangements.
The production is generally polished but retains an organic feel that allows Stills' raw talent to shine through. However, some critics argue that certain arrangements can feel overcrowded or intrusive, potentially overshadowing Stills' vocal performance.
### Production
The production of *Stephen Stills* is marked by:
- **Collaborative Spirit**: Recorded between tours with CSNY in both London and Los Angeles, the album features contributions from an impressive roster of musicians. This collaboration infuses the album with diverse influences while maintaining a cohesive sound.
- **Self-Directed Approach**: Stills took significant control over the production process, allowing him to explore his artistic vision without compromise. This autonomy is evident in his multi-instrumental performances throughout the album.
- **Varied Arrangements**: The album's arrangements vary widely from track to track. While some songs benefit from lush instrumentation, others are more stripped down, highlighting Stills' vocal and guitar work.
Despite these strengths, some reviews note that certain tracks suffer from overproduction or excessive layering that detracts from their emotional resonance.
### Themes
The themes explored in *Stephen Stills* reflect both personal narratives and broader cultural sentiments:
- **Love and Relationships**: Central to many songs are themes of love—both its joys and its complexities. Tracks like "Love the One You're With" convey a sense of immediacy in romantic encounters while also hinting at deeper emotional currents.
- **Nostalgia and Reflection**: A sense of nostalgia permeates several tracks, particularly those reflecting on past relationships or experiences. This theme resonates strongly in "Old Times Good Times," where Stills reminisces about lost connections.
- **Existential Questions**: The album grapples with existential concerns—questions about identity, purpose, and belonging are woven throughout the lyrics. This introspective quality invites listeners to reflect on their own lives alongside Stills’ narratives.
### Influence
*Stephen Stills* has had a lasting influence on rock music:
- **Pioneering Sound**: The blend of rock, folk, blues, and gospel elements set a precedent for future artists seeking to merge genres. Stills’ ability to navigate these styles has inspired countless musicians across generations.
- **Cultural Impact**: As part of the larger CSNY narrative, this album contributes to the legacy of 1960s counterculture music. Its themes resonate with listeners who experienced or continue to engage with similar societal shifts.
- **Musical Collaborations**: The collaborations featured on this album have paved the way for future musical partnerships within rock music. The interplay between artists like Hendrix and Clapton exemplifies how collaboration can elevate individual artistry.
### Pros and Cons
#### Pros
- **Musicianship**: Exceptional guitar work and vocal performances showcase Stills' talents as a musician.
- **Diverse Soundscapes**: A rich blend of genres creates an engaging listening experience.
- **Emotional Depth**: Lyrical content offers introspective insights into love and relationships.
- **Cultural Significance**: Reflects key themes of 1960s counterculture while remaining relevant today.
#### Cons
- **Uneven Material**: Some tracks may feel less inspired or overly produced compared to others.
- **Cliché Lyrics**: Certain lyrical choices can come off as clichéd or heavy-handed.
- **Overproduction Issues**: Some arrangements may detract from the raw emotional impact intended by Stills.
### Conclusion
Overall, *Stephen Stills* stands as a testament to Stephen Stills' artistry during a pivotal moment in music history. While it exhibits both strengths and weaknesses—ranging from lyrical depth to production choices—it ultimately captures an important chapter in rock music's evolution. Its influence continues to resonate within contemporary music scenes as artists draw inspiration from its innovative blend of styles and heartfelt themes.
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Nov 29 2024
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4
A fun and sometimes touching rock/blues album. Some cool instrumentals throughout, and the choir accompanying Stephen Stills was nice. Simple lyrics, but they were endearing. A pull yourself out of the mud kind of album, but not preachy. Standouts: Love the One You’re With, Church (Pt. If Someone), Old Times Good Times, To a Flame, and We Are Not Helpless.
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Nov 23 2024
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4
Folk rock that rips, although it doesn't veer too far down the rocky roads of rock exploration, it does fit the bill of a lovely and interesting record. I will say that his blues licks are tight. Solid stuff, Steve.
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Nov 18 2024
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4
Enjoyable. First time hearing this guy (though I'm now assuming he's of the Cosby stills and Nash fame). Some songs missed the mark but most were a good listen.
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Nov 10 2024
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4
Nice
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Nov 09 2024
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4
lovely album, good displays of vocals such as in the last track. But also some unique/playful tracks like Go Back Home that explore using other instruments to get its sound. (Just saw on wiki that jimi played the guitar on Old Times Good Times!)
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Nov 08 2024
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4
Album art is a tricky thing. It can give you insight into the psyche of the artist, possibly giving you a clue to the tenor and tone of the album. Stephen Stills's self-titled debut album cover gives you a sense of the quintessential seventies singer-songwriter - a pensive, sensitive soul pouring out a vulnerable masculinity over acoustic strings. Maybe this package is wrapped in the dulcet hushes of the Laurel Canyon sound, perfected so well by Stills and his compatriots in Crosby, Stills, & Nash. But the cover belies the festival of sounds exploding from the grooves on the black lacquer of the disc inside. The album reveals the musical depth of Stills' range and talent, a talent often overshadowed by Neil Young's grungy cantankerousness or David Crosby's infamous alienating personality. Contained within are gospel-flecked hymns to common humanity, classic seventies love songs, muddy blues guitars, and a host of all-star collaborators, including Nash, Crosby, Jimi Hendrix, Booker T. Jones, Eric Clapton, Cass Elliot, and Rita Coolidge. While the opener (Love the One You're With) may resonate with a sense of dissatisfaction, the closing song (We Are Not Helpless) contains the soaring challenges I need to hear this week. " Open up, my friend, and learn to hear." It's a call to feast on this album. A call to not give up on this collective grand experiment. Those who have ears, let them hear.
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Nov 07 2024
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4
Solid album, the singles are geat.
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Oct 28 2024
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4
Something about the ‘sound’ of this record bugs me a bit - like it’s tape artifacts or something. Maybe this is an Andy Johns signature sound or something haha
It’s not always unpleasant but it’s not awesome either...
Nonetheless there is some really excellent writing and truly phenomenal playing on this one. Clapton and Hendrix and Ringo Starr and Booker T and Rita Coolidge and Case Elliot and then Halverson/Johns doing the recording - this is a supergroup-style record!
Highly enjoyable and if there was one more song with as much oomph as the opener Love The One You're With this would probably rate a 5.
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Oct 26 2024
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4
It's just one of those solo albums of Crosby, Stills, Young and Nash group. And similarly to their records, with small exceptions, they are all good, enjoyable, but slightly lacking in substance. I don't think that 55 years really preserved it well. But regardless, the whole group just knew their stuff well enough.
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Oct 17 2024
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4
Really nice acoustic guitar and horns
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Oct 14 2024
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4
Probably one of the most (unwittingly?) downright hilarious album artwork among all the records mentioned in the 1001 albums book. I mean, OK, it's Stills freezing his ass off while playing guitar outside at a ski resort. But that psychedelic giraffe, man... What the hell??? With such a kitschy cover, you kind of expect the former Buffalo Springfield to sing his own version of the Frozen soundtrack -- if you can forgive me uttering this lame anachronistic joke. And maybe the giraffe will sing it too.
But *in a way*, what Stephen Stills does on this record released around the time of Crosby Stills Nash and Young's *Déjà Vu* is not so far from the sentimental, wear-your-heart-on-your-sleeve shenanigans of a Disney movie, thanks to his recurrent use of soulful and epic female background vocals throughout this record. And starting with the anthemic "Love The One You're With", the first three cuts are memorable anyway, and certainly up to the level of the best Stephen Stills songwriting chops and performance abilities around the late sixties / early seventies, from CSN to the Manassas project. The rest is maybe a notch under those first three highlights, admittedly. Yet it's still pretty good, especially the closer.
Maybe having both this debut and Manassas in the 1001 Albums book is a little overkill, though, and my preference will certainly go to the Manassas album. But hey, if ever a miracle happens and I have room left in my own list, I'll try to remember about this record... Miracles rarely happen. Yet maybe the "christmas spirit" infusing this wonderful album cover will bring Stephen Still a little luck, who knows? 🙃
3.5/5 for the purposes of this list of essential albums, rounded up to 4
8.5/10 grade for more general purposes (5 + 3.5).
Number of albums left to review: 39
Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 415
Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 243 (including this one)
Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 306
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Oct 09 2024
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4
Great singer songwriter/country with a touch of soul/gospel and a lot of energy
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Oct 07 2024
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4
Great album from an incredible singer, songwriter, and musician.
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Oct 07 2024
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4
When I got it during the morning, I was not excited about it, but it ended up being the best of the solo projects from Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young! (I think I've already got at least one from each on the list)
I liked the atmosphere, the lyrics, and the fancy instrumental. Nice job. I'll probably not be looking for more from Stephen Stills so soon, but this one is worth it.
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Sep 30 2024
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4
thoroughly enjoyed it
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Sep 28 2024
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4
Very early rocky
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Sep 27 2024
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4
Surprised. Always liked in CSN and CSNY but never paid much attention to the solo efforts.
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Sep 27 2024
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4
Some timeless and beautiful songs in here, but not enough for 5 stars.
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Sep 26 2024
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4
Tää on yllättävän kova folkrockalbumi! Mahtavan outo kansi myös. Pitää otteessaan aika nastasti.
4/5
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Sep 26 2024
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4
Mies ja kitara-levy paremmasta päästä. 4/5
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Sep 20 2024
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4
Not one of the first of the post Deja-Vu CSNY solo albums that I go to but still a solid one that holds up great.
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Sep 12 2024
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4
I hear the Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young sensibilities. Good guitar. 4/5
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Sep 12 2024
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4
Before starting, I assumed this would be a 2 or maybe 3 (at best) star album. The opener, which I already knew, is great. The rest of the album, however, exceeded expectations. This has a more aggressive rock drive to it than I remember hearing coming out of CSNY. I'd listen to this again. 4 stars.
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