Reviews (page 2 of 6)
Didn't really care for his collab work with Bing Crosby and Ogden Nash, but this album kinda slaps.
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
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
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
Great record.
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.
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.
4.95/5 je reexoute. Très bon e chanson d'un super artiste.
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.
Pleasant surprise. A little more three dimensional than CSN, a little more 'rawk.'
Can't do much better than Stephen Stills.
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.
All those years I thought that voice belonged to David Crosby
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
Bra! Jag tycker det är fint och Stills har en fin röst och låtarna är för det mesta vackra, med något undantag. Jag gillar den första låten mycket. Jag tycker man hör mycket Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young i detta, vilket kanske inte är så konstigt.
Stephen is a great combination of player and songwriter. Not only can he do both, but he can go loud and quiet. I'm thinking of 4 + 20 from CSNY's Deja Vu. The man has range. Everything is rich & clean. Helluva debut album.
I've never listened to his solo work before but it was pretty good.
nice
Love The One You're With is such a delicious treat to open this with...I actually had no idea that song was his. It set the tone for a pretty darn good album. I love the choral quality of the songs with backing vocals, and this just has cool 70s vibes.
Nice! Strong 7. This must be Stills from Crosby Stills etc
While I am getting a little tired(okay, a lotta tired) of the Neil Young, David Crosby, Graham Nash, and Stephen Stills combinations(or, lack thereof), this one was a pleasant surprise. The album apparently had an optimistic view of the 1970s, and took the 1960s activism right into that decade (doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo deh). Favorite Track: "We Are Not Helpless".
Amazing lineup
Om någon undrade så ja, han kan stå på egna små ben.
Crosby and Stills, 870 & 869. This seems rigged, but I like it.
Way better than I was expecting, thought ur was gonna be middle of the road, solid tracks on here .4 stars
Better than I expected. Almost Neil Young-like at time, groovy at times.
I could understand why Stephen Stills was so respected by other musicians. Tracks like Go Back Home, Black Queen, and Old Times Good Times had a raw blues-rock energy that really stood out to me. The bass work throughout the album was also excellent, particularly on Cherokee. Old Times Good Times was my favorite track, and Jimi Hendrix’s guitar playing was effortlessly extraordinary.
Estaba en plenitud. Los arreglos son un poco cargantes, pero las canciones están bien. Me gusta la música de 1970.
8/10 Best songs: Love the One You're With, Old Times Good Times, Go Back Home, Cherokee, We Are Not Helpless The guitar solos on this album are SO GOOD. I'm not usually a guitar guy, but Go Back Home basically made my day. I also really appreciate the harmonies (most apparent in the first and final songs on the album - nice bookends to what it contains). Generally speaking the album combines its blues, motown, and rock influences in interesting ways, sounding at once of its time and also more recent. It never quite hits that "holy crap this is amazing" tier that would make me give it 5 stars, but occasionally it comes awful close.
Gospel folk. Church is Manic Street Preachers. Old Times Good Times a funky track - Hendrix on guitar. Clapton on the next track. Rita Coolidge, Cassie Elliot, this album is a massive flex by Stills surely - look how many stars i can get as my back band. He’s a very good musician as well. Enjoyed the less folky bits of this.
Interesting rock album from the 70s. Not on my radar but I very much enjoyed. 'Love the One You're With' is one of my favorites but the only song I recognized.
Sehr entspannter Sound :) Schwanke zwischen 3 und 4 Sternen, weil es doch phasenweise etwas langweilig wirkte
I'm a bit torn with this one. Some fantastic work and great cameos, but also, quite a bit of it is pretty meh?
Tout n'était pas dingue, mais ce qui était bon était vraiment bon.
Somewhere between 3 and 4.
It took me two listens to fully appreciate this album, but it does stand as one of four albums made in 1970 after the CSN debut: this one, deja vu and solo Crosby and Nash efforts. The guest list of musicians is evidence of Stills' clout at the time: Hendrix, Clapton, Ringo, Booker T, Mama Cass, Crosby and Nash, Rita Coolidge and John Sebastian. In addition to the impressive guitar work there are some serious backing vocalists giving a few gospel like moments. This was THE era of these artists and despite CSNY not being hugely prolific as a group, there was so much extra solo/collaboration work going on in the early 70s. Glad I heard it again - it's well above average.
I wasn't expecting to like this, so a pleasant surprise. I don't generally like this kind of blend, anything with folk tends to put me off, but this blend is different. The guitars are phenomenal throughout, vocals are great, overall musicianship and song writing are exemplary. You can't go wrong with this one, I mean look at the list of guest musicians. ...What's with the cover though?!
Love the One You’re With From Crosby Stills and Nash
It starts off pretty slow, but I ended up really enjoying this. Go back home and Cherokee especially. It's nice and soulful and emotional and so very 70s
I really enjoy his work. Makes me want to float down the river with a beer. Very american
The guitar riff on Old Times Good Times is spectacular (and unexpected for an otherwise much less ambitious album), so I looked it up and of course it's Hendrix on lead. It's a really good album, otherwise, and a good listen. Fav tracks: Old Times Good Times, Cherokee
Love the One You're With is the best song on this album, though many of the others are very good, simply because they are electric guitar, bass, keyboard and drums, clearly defined, distinct, not ugly noise like some of the albums of 1001 albums .. Stephen Stills was best with Crosby, Nash and Young, but there were feuds and power plays going on. Still, for not having heard this album from 1970 back then, I heard it now and liked most of it.
Probably the unsung hero of CSN&Y
Good album, kicks off with a classic track in Love The One You're With and the backing singing is also nice on Church. I enjoyed the guitar playing in general, there are some jams, and Old Times Good Times is notable for having Jimi Hendrix. A bit "dad rock" but I would listen again
Rare cook from this website. Very much enjoyed that.
Nothing to disapprove of here
honestamente increible, no esperaba nada y me sorprendió muchisimo
I enjoyed it. 4
Quite good actually! Stand-outs - Old Times Good Times - Go Back Home - Cherokee
Hooked me on the first song- Love the One You’re With was a great introduction for me to this album!
#82/1001 🇺🇸 When it comes to CSNY i've always been in Neil Youngs camp, so have never taken the time to Stills' records. This is an oversight. The first side of this record is flawless. Love The One Your with is a great tune and the only track i was familiar with. He introduces a gospel theme in Church and then Hendrix and Clapton throw their weight in on the last 2 tracks. The second side is a little disjointed but i love the playing on Black Queen - this could be an outtake from the likes of Soundgarden or Pearl Jam unplugged 20 years later. I like the bluesy feel of Cherokee and it finishes strong with We are not Helpless. Best Tracks: Love the one you're with, Black Queen, Go Back Home, We are not Helpless.
This is a very solid album. I liked this more than Manassas. His voice is fine and there's really nothing amazing about the instrumentation, but everything works well together.
Groovy with a little bit of Gospel sound. I love Stephen Stills. What I admire most about this album specifically, is how willing he is to get outside of the shit that made him/his bands popular. There’s so many different sounding tunes here, and I believe he plays a variety of those instruments himself. Underrated for sure. Favs: Old times good times, sit yourself down, church, love the one you’re with
buena voz y muy buen sonido. Seré objetiva, pero ninguna me marco excepto una hasta el final así que imagino que volveré alguna vez (?)
I wasn't expecting this to be so funky. I was only familiar with Love the One You're With, but the rest of the album was a nice mix of funk, blues and folk with a bit of gospel to make it a well rounded album.
Great voice, solid album.
I like to read the reviews before I listen to get an idea of what might await me, and they were not too positive on this one. I'm not sure why though, as this is probably one of the better albums on this list so far. It might not be the most groundbreaking music ever, but it's insanely listenable. Maybe it's just me, but I feel like this should be better received.
While the cover art confuses me..."To a Flame" is all lush harmonies and layered orchestral arrangements - it's a relaxing, almost trippy groove. I loved it! "Love The One You're With" is well-known but is also a strong song with the harmonies you'd expect from Stills. Overall, a great listen! 4 stars.
yeah it was fine
I think it’s good
3.5
Ég hef lært mjög margt af þessu verkefni, t.d. að ég fíla Stephen Stills. Eiginlega bara mjög vel. Þetta er virkilega fín plata sem að daðrar við fimmuna en endar í fjarkanum.
This is good, but the sum of all their parts is better
Maybe I'm just starved for something better than a 3*, but this one is surprisingly hitting right for me. Got that kinda soul vibe to the blues rock going on, which is one of the few ways old-school blues rock can keep my attention. This is prime driving through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan music. Also, much better than Manassas. No bad country rock, but still has some of the good folk rock going on. And a far breezier runtime. About the only thing that trips the record up is the spng Black Queen. Could have done without that one. Didn't expect Stephen Stills to be the one to save me from the 3* morass.
I liked it. Nice guitars, by the way. This doesn't suit my specific musical taste, but it sounds nice.
# Album Name: Stephen Stills # Artist: Stephen Stills # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: Good enjoyable album with several good tracks # Top Tunes: Love the one / church / old times good times / go back home / black queen # Would I listen to it again? Yes
Pretty good, more than I expected. Some interesting influences from varying sources.
Pretty much all of this was good to great, didn’t care for Black Queen though
Liked this a lot more than I thought I would. Church has a nice soul sound I wasn't expecting, and the psychedelic funk on Old Times Good Times was a very pleasant surprise. I cold leave the mid-album slowdown seen in Sit Yourself Down and To A Flame. Cherokee brings things back to cooking temperature (fuck yeah, featuring Booker T)! We Are Not Helpless closes, and it starts off as kind of a downer, but quickly picks up and becomes a gospel-inspired soul celebration.
Good stuff
S’cute.
This dude can rock
Great album that totally caught me off guard with how much I enjoyed it. Soulful. Bluesy. Folksy. Not a single bad track. Standouts for me are: "Love the One You're With" "Do for the Others" "Old Times Good Times" "Go Back Home" "Sit Yourself Down" "To a Flame"
it's good
This is a decent album by a real talent. And short enough to warrant a 2nd to play.
I like him better with CSNY, but still a solid solo album.
i liked this
Really enjoyed this one. never really heard of Crosby stills or Nash before this album stuff but I’m happy I have now. Specific rating - 4.2 Fav song - love the one you’re with Least fav- church (pt. of someone)
Some great songwriting and on all time classic.
I think I am the wrong generation for Crosby Still Nash and Young. When I was growing up they were old people music. So I don't think I've ever consciously listened to them. I was a bit wary going into this because of that. But it's actually a great listen throughout.
Never heard this before really solid blues/rock/folk record surprisingly bluesy!
on a journey discovering how much like Stephen Stills’ solo output
What can I say? I'm a sucker for Crosby, Stills, and Nash. This album is not nearly as good as theirs or Young's "After the Gold Rush," or even Crosby's "I Can't Remember My Name," but it still gives me that vibe.
Very comforting and soothing, but at the same time made me feel like dancing.
Good vibes
Nice, chill
Big choir in “Church” really sent this one above for me! Would definitely listen again! “Go Back Home” has a Marvin Gaye-like guitar riff that I dig.
Pretty solid
Steve rolls up his sleeves and delivers some stone cold jams here
First time listening to this album start-to-finish. This album belongs on the list if only for "Love the One You're With." The rest is interesting, and I may need to add this to my "albums to listen to again" list.
4.5/5
Overall: 7/10 Stephen Stills was always my favourite member of CSNY. I adore his voice so much and he always seemed to not get enough credit. While I wouldn't say I love this album, I was happy to listen to Stills show off what he can do on his own. Good job. Fav Song: Old Times Good Times
The first half of this album sounds a lot like CSNY. You can really hear what Stephen Stills brought to that band. His style of super rhythmic acoustic guitar with positive easy going melodies is super synonymous with the sound of the late 60's and early 70's in my mind. Great music to listen to while sitting outside on a summer day. The second half of this album sounded alot more experimental to me. I can only imagine Stephen Stills pitching some of these songs to CSNY with the rest of the band looking on, puzzled ... I still enjoyed these tracks but they did feel a bit out of place on this album. There wasn't the same emotional intensity that CSNY may bring together, but in all an enjoyable and super smooth acoustic album.
I went through a huge CSNY phase this past summer. It was mostly listening to Neil Young albums, Deja Vu, and CSN, but I also explored some of the other members solo works including this one. Overall, this doesn’t quite hit the same highs as CSNY or CSN and I don’t like it quite as much as I do Neil Young, but it’s still pretty damned good!
*Stephen Stills* Being that Stills is my favorite writer of The CSN trio, I thought I'd like this more. It has stand out moments and pretty much the first side is solid. I'd have to say the big hit was my least favorite song in that side and though I've never been behind "Love The One Your With" 💯, I do like the song a good bit. The second side however other than "Black Queen" and "Cherokee" hit mainly had his type of writing I wonder off from. Low to Solid four. (8.4) ★★★★
Stephen Mad Skillz. Also Stephen Stacked. Not only is the sound incredibly rich n rootsy throughout with a super strong gospel undercurrent but the guest list on this album is insane. Jimi Hendrix comes along before his death to whip up a severe funky rip roaring storm on Old Times Good Times and Eric Clapton bosses it like a big old bad boss on Go Back Home. Even Ringo Starr pops in on To A Flame which is a seriously wintry mood in itself. Album opener is Love The One You’re With is such a stone cold all time mood booster classic and similar but not quite to the extent of In A Gadda Da Vida it makes an excellent appearance in The Simpsons. Closer We Are Not Helpless is a proper rousing send off as well. So yep, this album has got the Stills factor, the Crosby & Nash factor, the Hendrix factor, the Clapton factor, the Ringo Starr factor, the Rita Coolidge factor, the John Sebastian factor, the Booker T Green Onions factor and on top of that the Simpsons factor.
Dope
Way better than I expected. Total surprise. I was expecting more of the same boring CSGN stuff. This has depth. It’s a light 4.
Realmente un album que me ha sorprendido.
A Rock of All Trades. One of my favorite opening songs, the rest of the album lives up to his name.
unos bops y unos muy señor rokerito
This is some juicy dad rock. It makes me want to wear some comfortable high rise, mid blue jeans, inexplicably take the newspaper to the bathroom, and say things like "as long as it's my name on the mortgage I'll be the judge of whether the TV is too loud", or completely unnecessarily mention a person's race when telling a story.
My least favorite of the CSNY team. His singing style does get annoying. However this first LP is pretty darn good. Definitely dated, and not something I would listen to often.
Excellent
Never heard any of this before but really rate it. Great guitar as well as the obvious songwriting and singing talent
Love the One You're With - 5/5 Do for the Others - 4/5 Church (Part of Someone) - 5/5 Old Times Good Times - 3/5 Go Back Home - 4/5 Sit Yourself Down - 3/5 To a Flame - 4/5 Black Queen - 4/5 Cherokee - 4/5 We Are Not Helpless - 4/5 Average score: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Love the One You're With is instantly recognisable. Or at least, it was for me, and I don't consider myself a Stills fan. But any peppy, positive gospel chorus is going to have a real good chance of melting my heart, and this one's no exception. Reminds me a lot of textures from the Bridge Over Troubled Water album, particularly with the very soft percussion under a large array of harmonised vocals. An excellent way to start off the record. Overall, the album's sound is surprisingly accessible amidst some of the more out-there releases of the late 60s. Stills creates a gentle, bluesy, fun atmosphere that doesn't push any boundaries (except perhaps lyrically – I don't know, I don't pay attention to that), which could be considered its downfall. It makes me feel good, though, and can you ask for much more? Plenty of acoustic guitar sound to work with, and Stills tries to mash it all together with the acoustically hectic (yet still very tame) Do for the Others. It's a fun little ditty that seems to end as soon as it begins. Later in the album, Black Queen is an even more barebones acoustic guitar piece – countryish, with nods to some past (and future) Led Zeppelin tracks. (Plenty of influences with other artists though, I'm sure.) Church (Pt. Of Someone) shows a clear commitment to that gospelesque sound (seeing as two of the opening three tracks are like that), and even bolsters that impression with a strong heartfelt piano part. Pretty cool. Hoping to see a little more variety, but pretty cool. (Later, we see Sit Yourself rehashing the gospel vocal, and this works better than expected.) It's Old Times Good Times where the pacing really picks up. Although the track is mostly an instrumental/jam session, the fast bass combined with atypical percussion keeps the song engaging. And Stills *really* sounds like Paul Simon in this song. Go Back Home is the exact same concept, only it's longer, more frenetic, and uses a nifty guitar riff as its main attraction. At this point in the album, I'm completely on board with the possibility that Stills put out a completely jam-based solo debut album. Some of the later tracks are a little less successful. To A Flame and We Are Not Helpless are a bit lacklustre even if they technically sound fine. Cherokee would be lumped in here too, except it has a 7/4 time signature that Stills doesn't quite get away with. It's almost good, almost danceable – but, of course, not quite. 4/5 Key tracks: Love the One You're With, Old Times Good Times, Go Back Home
This is a pretty good 70's album by a legend (to-be at the time...). The songs and arrangements are solid and the hits speak for themselves. This isn't really my wheelhouse, but I appreciate the substance of the record.
This is my second listen to this album. I bumped up my rating slightly to 7/10. Half of this album is just fantastic, the rest is not bad just not standouts. Fans of CSNY will enjoy this album. There are some great players that sit in; Clapton, Hendrix and Ringo and you can hear it in some of the guitar parts!
Reading some of the reviews on here, it seems you either love this album or hate it. I personally thought it good.
Great guitar work and compositions. “Black Queen” is a standout. SS has a distinctive voice.
“Love the one you’re with” is an obvious classic but I was very pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this album. Loved the funkiness of “go back home” and the bluesiness of “black queen”
Day672 - starts out super strong and doesn’t let up. the guest stars that play with him is just off the charts. i think someday stephen stills should be inducted as a solo artist into the rock and roll hall of fame
The best solo album by a Crosby, Stills, or a Nash. Neil Young farms them all, but that's besides the point. Anti-Boomerism will dismiss this as some gobbledygook, but it's quite a good album. It's bordering on 5 stars, but the weaker second side removes itself from 5 star contention. Some great stuff packed onto here, with tasteful harmonies and catchy uses of rock, blues, and gospel. "Love the One You're With", "Do for the Others", "Go Back Home", "Sit Yourself Down", and "Black Queen" are definite highlights.
Shit asså, jag har aldrig hört gubbstöncore innan. Ganska baserat ändån
Yet another album that a small and annoying Brian would have totally crushed. I still really enjoy this today -- sonically beautiful with some truly masterful guitar work. Way the fuck better than Neil Young's solo crap. Fight me.
Very good songs, but feels very inconstant... Liked the songs, didn't hava an idea what this album should have say musically as an album
Why did I remember it as more mellow and less rockish? Still a decent collection of different influences and good songs
This is the kind of singer-songwriter music I jam with. The production credits for this album are kind of insane!
Nice, inoffensive folk rock
Although this isn’t really the kind of folk rock I’m usually drawn to, this album was still pretty solid. There’s also a nice mix of gospel and blues throughout that adds some variety. One standout element is the lineup of guest musicians, such as Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton both appear on guitar, with Ringo Starr and Booker T. Jones contributing as well. I doubt I’ll come back to this album, but it was definitely worth the listen.
I was expecting another simple singer/songwriter album but there was more to it. I liked it.
My first foray into solo Stills work. This album surprised me. The songs were all pretty rich and full of interesting warm sounds. I was expecting a kind of generic sounding singer/songwriter type record and came out of my listen a bit impressed. There's nothing overly inventive here, but it sounds pretty good. Some heavy hitters appear on the album too: Hendrix, Clapton, and Ringo among them so that was a pretty neat bonus. Standouts are "Love The One You're With" - loved the deep background sounds on this one - and "Old Times Good Times" The album has a lot of backing choirs and organ which I've never been a huge fan of, so I wish he had gone lighter on that but I guess that's an easy way to add depth to your sound that, honestly, Stills doesn't really need. He's already got a good sound. But I love a rock organ solo, so at least we got that. I think, shockingly, this album is a 4 for me. There are a couple snoozers on the track list, but it's mostly pretty good. The back half kind of lost the plot a little for me but the first half is very solid.
Stills trying to distinguish the Crosby, the Stills, the Nash and I've got the Young. I liked this album
What a great album. I didn’t know what to expect when I first listened to this and honestly, I thought it would be more of the typical singer songwriter 70s sound. But it’s so much more than that. It has a wide range of styles and influences and sounds. It also has a Who’s Who of classic rock, stardom guest appearing. The songwriting, the themes, the instrumentation, everything is really top-notch on this.
4.3/5 great blues stuff on here even the gospel stuff didn’t bore me too much shoutout jimi n clapton for playing on two songs prolly the best two on the album
Giving this album less than 4 stars is unfair. This album brings together everything good that was being produced at that time. Very diverse in sound: hard, blues, gospel and more. Not to mention the number of fantastic musicians found here. Stephen Stills at this point in his career knew exactly what he wanted and what he was doing. At least that's the impression I got when listening to this wonderful album.
Kannte ich gar nicht, war überraschend gut
Not bad, God Back Home was a jam
4/5
It was nice and unintrusive. I don't think I'd go out of my way to listen to it again tho
90/1001 Stephen Stills - s/t Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ✅ Not gonna lie, I was pleasantly surprised by this. The first half of this is definitely stronger than the second half. There's blues and gospel all mixed into this and makes for an engaging listen.
jimi and EC, more guitar than expected, allman brothers Love the one you're with Old times good times
Idk, lots of bitching in the reviews but I think this is some good shit. Beautiful dynamics, nice texture, great guitar/organ playing. Groovy. I dig. Weird ass cover. That pink giraffe will likely be in my dreams.
Хорошая спокойная (но ничуть не усыпляющая) музыка. 7 из 10.
Pretty good.
Started off strong. He lost me a little bit early on but the back half sold me. Honestly the songs are getting better on re-listen, I’ll definitely revisit this one.
This was my first time listening to Stephen Stills’ self-titled debut, and I really enjoyed it. From the opening track, Love the One You’re With, the album grabbed me straight away. Stills blends folk, blues, and rock seamlessly, giving the record a great sense of variety and energy without ever feeling disjointed. There are plenty of strong moments across the tracklist, and it’s an album I’ll definitely come back to. Favourite track: Love the One You’re With and Go Back Home Least favourite track: Nothing stood out as weak – everything was worth a listen. Album artwork: A pretty standard cover, nothing too memorable.
Музыка: 8/10 Разнообразие: 7/10 Тематика и вайб: 8/10 Цепляемость (отдельные песни зашли): 6/10 Реиграбельность (можно ли рандомно врубить на фон): 8/10 Итог: 7.4
Well done
Love the One You're With 3.5 Do for the Others 3.3 Church (Part of Someone) 3.4 Old Times Good Times 3.8 Go Back Home 3.8 Sit Yourself Down 3.6 To a Flame 3.4 Black Queen 3.5 Cherokee 3.4 We Are Not Helpless 3.6 Score: 3.53
Nice
This is a really good album! Reading the wiki, it's impressive how many big names were part of it. Definitely a 4. really enjoyed this one.
Good stuff. Turns out, he's my favorite singer in CSNY. Who could tell with all that harmonizing? 3.5* rounding up to 4*.
Nice!
Enjoyed this, will listen again!
Really enjoyed this! Good vibes. Simpsons: Yes
Really liked this, spent a load of the first song knowing I recognised it. Was a lovely antidote to Orbital 2.
This was an album my uncle had way back but the only things I was aware of were "Love The One You're With", the lead track which I had heard many times, and that Jimi Hendrix was on one track. But, having been really impressed by Stephen Stills when I gave Crosby, Stills and Nash and Deja Vu a critical listen, I approached this with a lot of hope. And it wasn't misplaced. LTOYW is still an excellent opener, once again Stills playing a large proportion of the instruments, as he does on much of the album. On "Old Times Good Times" Jimi plays with a funky soul unlike very little I had heard from him before but he is matched by the excellent organ playing from Stills; it's a great track. "Church (Part of Someone)" is a gospel song with a 'choir' which seems to be made up of five voices, one of which, Liza Strike, appeared on a lot of '70s albums. Stills playing throughout is very skilful, his acoustic guitar on "Black Queen" is phenomenal. Not every song hits the mark but this is a very good record.
Great album that’s a perfect representation of the era.
Good stuff, not what you'd expect from the cover! 4*
Certainly knew what I was in for here. ‘Love The One You’re With’ is an unassailable classic and there are some other great songs here. In many ways, Stills was the backbone of CSN(Y) with his playing, his voice, and his songwriting. An American folk rock treasure.
Love the One You're With is a classic and great opener. Powerful strings and gospel vocals on Church, too. I like the bassline and organ on Old Times Good Times, then Go Back Home amps up the funk with the guitar and bass playing off each other. My favorite so far, nice soloing too (Clapton's cameo went unnoticed at first - oops). To a Flame is a super cool ballad and the standout on the second side, steel drums (?) making the track. Black Queen is a dud though. Unmelodic and harsh, I'm waiting for it to finish. Cherokee gets us back on track with flute and a big sax solo and We Are Not Helpless is a triumphant closer, with the choir returning. It's a big album. Not as cohesive as I'd like and maybe some of the detail gets lost in the mix, but still impressive. And I didn't even know Hendrix was on this too, never mind Ringo Star. **** but I'd skip Black Queen.
Again, see other reviews for Stills. Great harmonies, good mix of styles, especially like the bluegrass.
It was weird doing this one so close to Manassas. This was great. I enjoyed it more then Manassas. "Love the One You're With" was a good opener and just a classic song. I had always thought it was a CSN song.
Very good album that I enjoyed listening to. I think with more listens, this might even get a 5.
Stephen Stills – Stephen Stills (1970) | Folk Rock / Singer-Songwriter | Avg: 8.45 | Favorite Song: “Go Back Home” This one really surprised me—Stephen Stills is way more versatile and emotionally tuned-in than I expected from a solo debut. “Go Back Home” was the clear standout for me. It’s gritty, bluesy, and Eric Clapton’s guest solo doesn’t just elevate the track—it defines it. But the strength of this album isn’t in flashy features. It’s how Stills blends folk, rock, blues, and Latin grooves into something that feels cohesive but never one-note. The songwriting is sharp, and the arrangements are deceptively rich. Even the more understated tracks have layers that unfold with repeat listens. What impressed me most was how well the record holds up front to back. There’s just this sense that Stills was pouring every ounce of musical identity into this one, and it paid off. It’s an album that doesn’t scream for your attention, but if you’re a reviewer who values craft, range, and sincerity, it’s hard to ignore how dialed-in this project is.
Great gentle 60s folk Americana vibe - good for background as you work
bastante molon y muy relajadito
I am a fan of CSN(Y), but I’ve found most if CSN solo projects to be close to unlistenable, with the focus on the worst aspects of their songwriting and presentation. I HATE “Love the One You’re With” and expected this to all be the precious version of Stills that I can’t stand. But then there was Church (Pt of Someone) and it all changed. I loved most of the rest of the album and really gained more appreciation for Stephen Stills.
Surprised by how good this album is. Great songs and killer guitar playing all the way through.
Extra star for the album cover
Enjoyable. Not sure we need every album by every combo of Crosby stills Nash and young and all their solo projects on the list
Chill singer/songwriter sound. I like it
confusing album. feels like it has been mixed or produced at completely different times. more like a greatest hits. Shades of Supergrass in places, other stuff more poppy and unlistenable. strange, but also compelling at times
I’m at a 4.5 that I’ll just barely bump down to a 4. It’s a good album, don’t get me wrong, and honestly, it’ll probably click like a 5 someday. On a first pass, though? It’s just not quite there. Stephen Stills’ songwriting, while good, isn’t as strong as it could be, and not as strong as it would later be on “Manassas”, nor as strong as it was on the CSN(Y) albums. It’s a little broad here, with too much room for interpretation on a number of tracks, making the emotional pull a bit too ambiguous. It certainly doesn’t help that a lot of the context for that emotional pull feels sort of lost to the 55 years since this album dropped. Without that emotional pull, there’s just less “substance” to the album for me. That leaves two other qualities to pick up some weight, being his vocals & the instrumentation. They’re both pretty good here, but once again, it just didn’t quite get there for me. Stephen’s vocals are good, but while I know he’s not necessarily a belter, there’s never really anything super standout. Namely, I never felt like he was using his voice to get the most emotional pull out of the tracks, and more so just singing the way one would “logically” sing them. For an analogy, it’s like a gifted technical singer hitting all the right notes on an Aretha Franklin track, but without that deeper, truly personal touch. For the instrumentation itself, I’d argue much of the same thing – at a technical level, it’s wonderfully done, with a huge variety of instrumentation & some genuine star-studded appeal here. Jimi Hendrix rips a fucking stellar guitar solo on “Old Times Good Times”, as does Eric Clapton on “Go Back Home”. Hell, he got Ringo Starr on drums on a pair of tracks here, and he does a pretty good job. I think my thing with the instrumentation is that it’s kinda compensating for the “lesser” lyricism & vocal work. The problem is, at least to my brain, I think it ended up overcompensating. A little too much flashiness feels present here, and it creates a disconnect for me. I liked a lot of these tracks, but I felt like I was just enjoying them because they sounded good & did everything technically right, as opposed to genuinely feeling engaged with the tracks themselves, and entering that sort of “zen state” like I have with CSNY albums & with Stephen Stills himself on “Manassas”. That’s not to say there weren’t tracks I engaged with, because there definitely were. Hell, I really did enjoy a lot of the album, regardless of feeling that deeper sense of connection or not, because at the most technical level, it’s still a very enjoyable listen. It’s just some intangible things about my own personal tastes that built up over the course of the runtime stopping me from giving it a full 5 on a first pass, but I’d still recommend it regardless. If you like CSNY-adjacent stuff, it’s certainly going to scratch an itch. It’s a good 38 minutes, but for whatever reason, I never felt like it took the next step that would make me go “yep, this is a 5”. It probably will someday, though, hence a 4.5 barely bumped down to a 4.
Quality varied blend of classic rock, folk and gospel.
Definition of great groovy classic 70s style rock. Killer guitar solos and deep but poppy lyrics.
Well, I certainly wasn't expecting that. Folk is generally not something I like (although this list is testing that somewhat). There is folk here, but also rock, gospel, maybe a little blues. The first half is quite good. Love the One You're With has great backing vocals. Church (Pt. of Someone) has a gospel-like feel that works pretty well. Old Times Good Times and Go Back Home made me think this may actually be a great album. I suspect that's mostly because of Hendrix and Clapton. Then the second part comes and it's average at best. Nothing was terrible, but none of it caught my interest. So 4.5 for the first half and 2.5 for the second half. 3.5 rounded up.
Incredible funk
Stephen Stills always seemed like the most talented of the CSNY team, especially his guitar chops. Old Times Good Times, Black Queen and Go Back Home are great points of supportive evidence. It was interesting hearing Love The One You’re With as the original as I always thought it was Luther Vandross’ song, which turns out the original is less gospel but keeps the vibe. Overall, I don’t think there was a bad song on this album, though To A Flame and the flute solo on Cherokee wasn’t a favorite, though the later had a point. I may even look around the bins for this one of vinyl.
Can't argue that Stills makes some great folk rock. Not only does he play a ton of instruments, but the line up of talent he got to come in on this is rather impressive.
Still a haunting voice.
Lots of different styles tried, with various levels of success
A good album, I liked Love The One You're With, Church and We Are Not Helpless.
I really enjoyed this one. It’s the kind of album that doesn’t rush to impress you with flash, but instead quietly wins you over with solid songwriting, mood, and variety. From the first track, I could hear that Stephen Stills had a clear vision for what he wanted this solo debut to sound like. It’s warm, rich, and confidently blends rock, folk, blues, and even a touch of Latin rhythm here and there. The arrangements feel thought-through without being overstuffed, and the guitar playing is consistently tasteful. There’s a sort of easy swagger to it all that makes it feel like he knew exactly what he was doing. I liked how Love the One You’re With kicks things off – sure, it’s the big hit, but it’s also genuinely good. Catchy, smooth, and full of laid-back energy. But it was the deeper cuts that stood out more for me. Black Queen is a highlight – that one’s raw and bluesy, just Stills and a guitar, recorded in one take and sounding like he’d had a drink or two beforehand. I love how unpolished it is. Do for the Others is another favourite, with that melancholy acoustic feel and lovely vocal harmonies. There’s also some impressive guest appearances if you go digging – Clapton’s on guitar, Hendrix even shows up briefly – but the album never leans too heavily on them. It’s still very much Stills in the driver’s seat. I think what makes this work so well is that it feels like a personal album, even though it’s polished and filled with guests. You get the sense that these songs actually meant something to him. There’s pain in the ballads, a touch of humour in places, and a clear love for the craft. For me, this is one of those albums that might not blow you away on first listen, but if you let it sit with you, it slowly becomes something you return to again and again.
I enjoyed this. It was nice background music and I probably would have listened to it more. 4/5
Solid but not mine.
This is quite fun. Some nice instrumentation, a nice folly/bluesy Americana cross. Love some of the gospel choir vocals. Felt quite rolling stonesy at times. Enjoyed it.
A real good follow up to Henry's Dream. Nice and bluesy and energetic.
Usually not a huge singer/songwriter guy but I have been immensely impressed by all of CSNY while going through these albums. Mostly the guitar work on the albums has stuck out the most to me, with a touch of psychedelia. Just enjoyable stuff.
4.5 t digo e
Sometimes simple is all you need. A guy and his guitar, so good. Favourites: love the one you’re with, Do for the others, go back home
Loved this album! I think most of the songs were on par with each other Fav song: Love the one that your with
Fun folk rocky vibe.
I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected. Lots of genres and influences on different tracks that kept it sounding fresh all the way through. I was super impressed by the guitar on Old Times Good Times and Go Back Home, and then saw it was Hendrix and Clapton. Crazy that he got so many talented people to contribute. Another album that's one or two songs away from a 5.
STEEEEEPHEEEEN STILLLLSSSSS when i was twelve i learned how to play the geetar
Svært positivt overraska
How marvelous listening to this familiar voice sing a variety of country and rock songs. Nothing too complex or deep, just enjoyable and wonderful. 4.5/5
Listened before?: Yes, some I've liked all the Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young solo albums I've listened to, and this one's no exception. A classic.
Całkiem przyjemne, nie obrażę się jak czasem poleci
Old Times Good Times & Go Back Home are standouts
p199. 1970. 4 stars. How to transition from the 60s to 70s in style. Quality, understated singer/song writing with fabulous production. Point deducted for occasional 70s guitar wankage.
Listened Before? N As soon as this record finishes with "Love the One You're With", it takes off on an amazing journey through rock and blues. So many great jams and face-melting solos here. I loved it! Added to Library? Y Songs added to Playlist: Go Back Home
Favorite Track: Love the One You’re With
3.5
It’s a shame there’s no Graham Nash album on this list; it would have been nice to be served up the individual components of CSN&Y. Anyway, Stills is probably my favourite of the CSN trio (they all pale in comparison to Neil Young), and this is a cracking little album. It feels like a showreel of everything Stephen Stills was capable of, lurching from nice trad folk to dancier rock songs and brooding blues numbers. Just a very solid and dependable collection of songs.
This was fun and refreshing. I didn’t expect there to be so much experimentation on here and the experimentation worked so well. Every song worked. All but “Black Queen”. That one wasn’t really doing it for me. To each their own and all, but it came off as boring among tracks that were, at the time at least, very original. I enjoyed the whole thing thoroughly. 4/5
Aivan, tää on taas Crosby, Nash, Stills & Young kokoonpanon jäsenen soololevy. Menevää monipuolista folkkia ja kantria. Osittain ihan hard rockia, Old Times Good Times oli ihan Deep Purplea urkusooloineen. Parhaat: Old Times Good Times, Do for the Others, We Are Not Helpless
Classic american vibe with very chill gospel influences. Great stuff
Impressive
I was already familiar with "Love the One You're With", and was expecting the rest of the album to fall in line with that song. Pleasantly surprised to find that wasn't the case. As the album rolls along, Stills pulls from gospel, blues, and psych to deliver a fascinating and varied album experience. It feels like he set himself up to go anywhere with his solo career, so I'm not curious to see how that went. It's also very much a debut album, with some songs being stronger than others. Thankfully the production is consistently good and the music is well made regardless of my feelings about individual songs. Overall I wasn't expecting to like this as well as I did, and I'm glad this project brought it to me. Bonus points for having a giraffe on the cover. *This is a 3.5, but rounding up instead of down.
It’s fune
I'm that giraffe
Tasteful soul music that gets down to basics. There will always be a place for calming "sit by the fire" music.
A solid album.
Damn Stephen!!!! I would’ve never guessed that he would have this much soul based on that album cover. I thought I was in for something else but this brother showed me something! He made me feel something which is what I think music is all about. I’m happy that this project is getting me hip to artists I have slept on. I just did a deep dive because I felt ignorant and I’m realizing how influential this gentleman is to rock music. Didn’t realize this was a debut solo album. Now I can hear the parts of the album where he’s figuring his stuff out and why I didn’t really connect with the latter half of the album. It felt like a shift from the beginning and it was kind of jarring. Album was still enjoyable nonetheless. 3.8/5
Like very much. Back and forth between 3 and 4, but sticking with 4.
Ja det märks att det är hög kvalitet på denna skiva. Tight. Välkomponerat och producerat. Han sjunger mycket bra. Så objektivt är det riktigt bra. Det klickar inte helt för mig dock. "Do for the others" är nog bäst. Det får bli en fyra, för den förtjänar det, för det är bra! Synd bara att den inte träffar helt rätt för mig, hade varit roligare.
Oklanderligt hantverk och väldigt trevlig lyssning rakt i igenom. Bra sång och bitvis grymma gitarrer. Saknar det lilla extra för ett toppbetyg, men en solid fyra är det. Favoriter är Love the one you are with och de gitarrdrivna Old times good times och Go back home.
I found it pretty decent. I’d never heard of this artist before.
An outstanding album with lots of tasteful songs. Both singing and the guitar are used in a way that makes the music enjoyable. While the exact genre varies within the record, it just makes you feel good, empowered with humanity and compassion, as well as sheer talent. Definitely a good album worth relistening.
Love love love. The richness of the production, the choirs, the little hits of strings ontop of some killer guitar maje this top tier. Church is a new favourite song and cant wait to find more of his stuff.
While not as mind blowing as some of the stuff Crosby, Stills, and Nash (and Young) did together, it’s a solid album. The closing of Go Back Home in particular great
it was pretty good i really liked all of the guitar licks. i was confused for a minute because a lot of the tracks sounded familiar to me and the guitar playing before i realized that was because jimi hendrix and eric clapton played the electric guitars in the album. i probably should have listened to it at like a more preferable time because i just listened to it in the shower. but it was still good, not the best i’ve heard but better than most. my favorites were “church(pt. of someone), “old times good times,” “go back home,” and “black queen (lp)-version.” 🖤
Pretty fine folk rock. Not entirely my jam, but better than the stuff I’ve been giving 3 to lately, so I guess I have to round up to 5.
The leadoff track, Love the One You’re With is definitely the most well known piece here but I think it is a pretty empty song. Catchy melody and chorus but lightweight. Thankfully, the rest of the album is more interesting. It shows Stills range from folky, singer-songwriter tunes to more funky blues and hard rock. Favorite songs: We are Not Helpless, Go Back Home, Old Times Good Times and Love the One You’re With (it’s an earworm). Least favorite: To a flame. It’s that ethereal 70s dreamy soft rock type of song that does nothing for me and never will. Overall an enjoyable experience.
Yep, really enjoyed this. Particularly enjoyed the guitar in Black Queen.
Pleasantly surprised by this one - considering my lukewarm reception to CSNY, I wasn't expecting much, but it turns out when he's doing his own thing Stephen Stills goes hard! A couple of these are probably going to make several of my playlists now, thanks for the suggestion 1001 albums!
I love the more gospel-y parts, like on We Are Not Helpless. The man is a stellar guitarist and songwriter and I loved a lot of this. But I wonder why gospel songs by a white dude from the 70s made it to this list, and not actual gospel
Adventurous folk rock with powerful arrangements. The organ leads, the bongo percs and the gospel alike vocal harmonies were especially nice! Songs like Love the One You're With, Old Times Good Times, Go Back Home and We Are Not Helpless will stay with me.
Just a solid album, could listen on repeat
A decent listen - you really can't go too far wrong slapping a gospel choir into some classic rock, can you? Fave tracks - "Love the One You're With" and "Church (Part of Someone)"
Mr. Stills of Crosby, Stills, and Nash. He has a beautiful voice and is a talented instrumentalist with the guitar and piano. This was a pleasant album though I must say this also seemed like an odd pull from his work.
This was good! I’m pretty much burned out on classic rock at this point but I can’t deny this was a good album.
Warm and earnest and lively, occasionally soaring. Quaity is strong throughout but "Do for Others" and "Church" "To a Flame" and "Sit Yourself Down" and "We Are Not Helpless" are best of lot. The presence of all these all-stars barely moves the needle on what's a strong effort throughout from a dude who no one seems to like (or maybe just had the worst coke habit of all these cats) and is thus largely overrated today.
A pretty solid album. I do think that some of these songs are missing the presence of Crosby, Nash, and sometimes Young.
7.5/10. Really really good album and had me vibing for the majority. Fantastic variety on this album and the crispest guitar playing I've heard in a while. The tunes had great feel to them and were very memorable especially the iconic 'Love the one you're with'. I think it tailed off very slightly towards the end and just missed that oomph to make it a five, but it really was up there.
4.5? Really enjoying this!
This is pretty peak dad music. The shredding on Black Queen rips and it sounds like a song from the 90s done by like Pearl Jam or someone.
This is a really cool album that shows what Still brought to CSNY. He creates a very distinctive sound that is present across the CSNY albums and is present in its unfiltered form here. Just a really solid album with great music and lyrics all the way through 4/5
I had NO IDEA Stephen Stills was one of the members of "Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young." That is so cool. I really really liked this album. The solo in "Old Times Good Times" slaps. The electric guitar parts shock me, but fit so well. "Love the One You're With" is a CLASSIC. His voice is really enjoyable to listen to. The horn sections are tight too. This was a great listen. This album just feels like one right out of the 70s. Actual rating is a 4.25 Liked Songs: "Love the One You're With" , "Church (Pt. of Someone)" , "Old Times Good Times" , "Sit Yourself Down" , "Black Queen" , "Cherokee"
73/100. Stephen Stills’ self-titled debut is a solid record. It has a warm, uplifting feel that makes for an enjoyable listen. The guitar work is well-crafted, and the use of choral backing vocals adds a rich, layered texture to the sound. While it doesn’t necessarily break new ground, it’s a well-executed and confident debut that showcases Stills’ talents.
Anyone in the Crosby stills Nash young cinematic universe is a friend of mine
Still a solid album 55 years later. Love the One You're With still hits hard.
I haven't listen to this album in a long time. I forgot how much I enjoyed it. Great studio musicians and arrangements.
I think I'm at a 3.5, but it gets the bump just because it sounds so good.
Thought it was going to be shite but got much better as it went on. Low 4
Had this on rotation for a few days seeing which individual songs stand out but it just hangs together really well as an album. I love the overall sound and Stills' guitar playing is excellent throughout. The second half shifts between styles in a bit of a strange way, I feel like I'd have played with the tracklisting if it was up to me. I already enjoyed the CSNY I've had so far so I'm definitely going to dig a little deeper into Stills' catalogue.
It opens with a classic, swinging, uplifting piece of Hippy Soul, Love The One You're With, and maintains a decent standard throughout. I will happily go back to this one. 4 stars
Church is my fav. Gol. So good. Go back home. Good hell I love it. Dang. I liked this a bunch.
Great rock album - sounds really 70s for being released in 1970. Worth looking up all the people he got to play on this one
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.
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
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
4.25
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
this is good but doesn't really feel very distinct from its contemporaries in any way that would make me a repeat visitor
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.
Classic American rock. They don't make music like this anymore. Favorites: Love the One Your With, Go Back Home, Cherokee
Damn ok soulful white boy
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.
An absolute classic opener backed by 9 more classic tracks.
Nice simple singer/songwriter album. Classic tracks, pleasant ballads, and jamming blues inspired make for a jaunty listen.
first listen it good
## 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.
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.
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.
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.
Nice
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!)
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.
Solid album, the singles are geat.
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.
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.
Really nice acoustic guitar and horns
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
Great singer songwriter/country with a touch of soul/gospel and a lot of energy
Great album from an incredible singer, songwriter, and musician.
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.
thoroughly enjoyed it
Very early rocky
Surprised. Always liked in CSN and CSNY but never paid much attention to the solo efforts.
Some timeless and beautiful songs in here, but not enough for 5 stars.
Tää on yllättävän kova folkrockalbumi! Mahtavan outo kansi myös. Pitää otteessaan aika nastasti. 4/5
Mies ja kitara-levy paremmasta päästä. 4/5
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.
I hear the Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young sensibilities. Good guitar. 4/5
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.
Genuinely surprised to find myself quite enjoying this. Actually noticed myself bopping along after a while. Not going to play again because the algo will mistake it for an interest in CSNY.
Good, but it would be super cool if this guy teamed up with some other musicians.
Loved the guitar and instrumentals here. 4.5
Good variety of cool guitar licks and catchy choruses with some gospel like backing. Only a few tracks didn't land with me
The song was actually amazing and shockingly, I’d never heard it before. It really was just incredible. I feel like the album definitely fluctuated for me and there were a couple au was skeptical of but Stephen Stills really has a lot of talent and it shows here. I would definitely listen to him any time.
My Dad actually had this on an 8 track. Have you ever seen or even used an 8 track? Worst format ever (...not relevant to this review really but it's likely my only chance to reference the 8 track.). 20+ years later a band I was in headlined at my university playing the "Love The One You're With" valentine's dance. In retrospect, kind of a spicy and borderline questionable title for the event. Again, irrelevant to the album. Stills' voice is of course immediately recognizable but his guitar playing has always been underrated. Didn't know he learned lead from Hendrix (who is on track 4 here). Surprisingly diverse album that doesn't necessarily follow the massive single that leads it off; that's not a bad thing - get the pop hit out of the way. Reveals more upon repeat listens - I like it. 7/10 4 stars.
Just going off the cover I expected just some basic folk rock, but there's actually quite a bit of variety on here with the instruments. Makes it an engaging listen, enjoyed it a lot.
At it's best this is sublime, but for much of it, Stills tries to hard to sound gritty black man. Stills sounds best in his relaxed voice. The standouts are the groovy numbers like 'Cherokee' and 'Old Times Good Times' (featuring the last solo recorded by Hendrix before his death). The closing 'We are not helpless' is a suitably dramatic climax.
Good album. Not as good Crosby, Stills and Nash stuff but still very good.
A most pleasant surprise! I was dreading this one, because I don’t really like CSN, and these days I’m not feeling the folky vibe. And then if you had told me about the gospel-like elements? I would have been really worried. But here the music is way out in front of any lyrical embarrassment. Sure, it’s got its corny moments, and its preachy moments, but much less than I would have expected. And on the other hand it’s beautifully balanced and listenable the whole way through. The two best tracks feature just amazing guitar work from Hendrix and Clapton, respectively.
Wow, a who's who of talent participated on this lp, Hendrix, Clapton, Booker T, Ringo, Cass Elliot and Andy Johns in the engineer seat. No wonder it sounds as good as it does.
The only album with Clapton AND Hendrix on it? There's something I didn't think even existed. The first time I heard the opening song, (probably one of Stills' most well-known pieces) I had borrowed an LP and taped it from that. Unfortunately, the player was at a slightly higher speed, so he felt a little Mickey-Mousey. It wasn't until I heard a live version I was like "oh, THAT is how this supposed to sound." I feel dumb that between Hendrix and Clapton I could not identify who played who. I got their songs mixed up, and I would have thought I would have been able to pick them out. Stephen Stills is not my favorite of the four in CSNY, but he is a part of a whole, and you can hear what he brings to them with this album. There is a wide variety here, but still within Stills' wheelhouse. It doesn't sound like him trying to reach too far, Probably one of the few songs that was just okay to me was "Church (Pt. of Someone)" and even that after a quick relisten makes me rethink my thoughts about it. The other song that I could not pick out as "wow" was "Cherokee". Everything else I really enjoyed. Top songs: "Love The One You're With," "Old Times Good Times," "Go Back Home," "Black Queen,"
A good album, but kind of uneven. Side 1 is excellent and starts with the classic "Love the One You're With" (TIL the famous lyric came from something Billy Preston liked to say). Do For the Others is a nice chill song with a great interplay of acoustic guitar and an interesting vocal line. This is followed by the gospel-y Church (Part of Someone) which sounds like it should have been sung by Ray Charles. Old Times Good Times has Jimi Hendrix on guitar in one of his last recordings. Has a great jam at the end that ends too quickly, unlike the next song, Go Back Home w/ Eric Clapton which drags a little prior to the ok jam at the end. Side 2 is a lot weaker than Side 1. Sit Yourself Down and To a Flame are both basic easy listening. Black Queen is a great acoustic blues track, but it's a little awkward to hear a white guy singing "Black queen, where's your black man?" Cherokee sounds like it should be the theme for a 70s TV show. Very dated, and has a strangely abrupt ending that segues immediately into We Are Not Helpless, which starts off as an easy listening anthem, transitions into a motown section a little over 2 minutes in, and then has kind of a gospely anthemic ending. The album is decent, but stylistically all over the place. I think I'd give it a 3.5 given the chance, but I'll round it up to a 4 on the strength of Side 1.
Live the one your with is a strong opener. I actually found myself really enjoying the album- it captures the sound of the late 60s into early 70s so well. Stephen's voice sounds great and the acoustic guitar is on point. Really easy to listen to. Overall I enjoyed it- really great example of folk/soft rock
I don't know why I thought this would be a slow folk album—maybe it's the cover? Anyway, it had a lot more variety than I expected; I really enjoyed it. The cameos were fantastic, and for once I'm really digging the choir elements as well. The stand-out track to me is 'Old times good times'. 4 stars
Stephen has always been an underrated picker. So beautifully woven together with his voice, organs, and backing singers. 3.5, rounding up for one of the greatest songs ever. Do do do do do do do do do do do do..doo doo doot do duh doo, doo doo doot.
Stephen Stills is a wonderful album, very listenable and enjoyable. The only exception is Cherokee, it doesn’t belong on what otherwise would be a masterpiece.
Best Christian album I have ever heard. 7/10
Dope
i’m not sure if this is an album about jesus but i still loved it
So many good songs. Good memories. Quintessential late 60’s protest songs.