Reviews (page 5 of 7)
Decent background music. Good guitar playing. 3/5
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.
well this was a whole lot of Alright
eh. some of the most boring folk rock for dads i've heard in a while. at least it's under 40 mins. 2.5 stars. it's friday and i did enjoy the solos in old times good times so against my better judgment i'll round up to 3. favorites: love the one you're with, old times good times
3.5 stars.
Sometimes decent and other times, slightly worse than that. A little bit of a snoozefest in all honesty. Some pretty okay guitar work. In comparison to Neil Young's 'After The Goldrush' (because apparently all the members of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young all released albums in 1970) which I got a couple of weeks ago, it isn't as good, but it's not quite a single star.
Perfectly pleasant but just not my thing. 2.5/5
Nice guitary music
I don’t get it
Non male, rock classico tranquillo.
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.
70’s rock
Good early 70’s rock from Stills of Crosby, Stills & Nash
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
This didn’t do much for me but clearly a lot of talent. Last song was my fave.
Haven't heard this before. Starts off with a classic, super-catchy track that everyone knows and continues with great songs throughout. Sometimes it seems hard to tell where CSN(Y) ends and the solo records begin. This is a little bit like that to me.
What an absolutely stacked personnel list for this album! Aside from 2 tracks being essentially CSN, Hendrix, Clapton Booker T, AND Ringo were all on here!? The songs were fun to listen too. They were both funky and sweet and sound very of the time. “Go back home” was the highlight for me though the first track is a classic. In retrospect, since I’m going 5 here I should have done the same for OK Computer.
This is from a generation that I was happy not to be a part of. I couldn't imagine having to listen to this all the time.
I got excited when Stephen Stills’ self-titled album started with “Love the One You’re With.” Deserved classic. But the rest of it fails to make an impact, much the same as “Manassas.” An album that features appearances by Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, and Booker T. Jones squanders those talents.
Some real high points to bookend this album but lots of meh in the middle. Black Queen was unexpected and my favorite track. I will overlook a lot of meh for that gravely vocal and guitar solo.
Love The One You’re With is a great song but not enough to carry the whole album higher.
Good, liked it. 3.5
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.” 🖤
I really enjoyed this underrated album.
Lovely voice and a pretty good, mostly mellow album.
Meh. Not bad, just boring.
You can't start an album with your best song ever because it is inevitably down hill from there. A solid 3 star album.
Somehow both ponderous and chirpy; who could possibly have patience for this?!
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.
Yes, thank you 1001 for generating more feels that I need to navigate and get through. This one just kinda... exists? Not bad, but not thrilling. Some nice guitar work, a little bluesy, a little folky, a little jammy. It doesn’t offend, but it doesn’t really excite either. I didn't turn it off, but I’m not rushing to hear it again. Spins: 2 Playlist Additions: - Love The One You're With - Go Back Home
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.
Quite good.
Crosby, Stills and Nash have been a fairly safe bet for me, and I’ve enjoyed the one other Stephen Stills album I’ve heard. Today’s album was a pleasant one, and I certainly enjoyed it, but I also find that I don’t really remember much from it after a few hours. I know that I had a nice time listening to it, but there weren’t really any ear worms or anything to make my ears prick up. It’s that soft rock that I expected, with nice soft vocals, and yet I still sit here with no particular track to praise more than the others. What a quandary.
decent album, funky rock, very listenable
It was just okay. “Love the One Your With” is the only stand out song. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
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!
Great starter track, rest half decent
Previously rated: Manassas (5/5) ******************* Manassas may be my lowest 5/5 on here so far, but it's still pretty great. This one is a big step down, not that it's terrible, it's just rather average. Starts out hot and energetic with the one song I knew, Love the One You're With and doesn't reach that level again. There's some boring choral stuff in here too. Just meh level music to me. I couldn't be bothered to put it on again.
Making an album is an incredibly difficult task, highlighted by Stephen here as he very quickly runs out of ideas for songs after track 2. A lot of filler for a 10 track album!
This was a nice and easy listen compared to a lot of the other albums on the list. It was interesting to hear Stills as a solo artist and combine a more radioesque pop sound with his folk roots. I can’t say that every track was a home run, but it was enjoyable enough
The first 1/3 of this album is pretty great, and then Stephen just starts genre wanking, and then somehow lands the plane perfectly right at the end. It’s an unfocused effort, despite Stills’ clear desire to be recognized on par with his fellow Canadian, Neil Young. He doesn’t have the same sense of how everything flows together, and he doesn’t capture a singular voice. Still, “Love the One You’re With” is simply magnificent, capturing lightning in a bottle; “Do for the Others” and “Church” are both brilliant pieces; and “We Are Not Helpless” is on par with Neil’s work. And even some of the meandering works, like “Go Back Home”, capture something a little more dynamic. But it’s messy, and not in a fun way.
CSNY it is not but i really enjoyed this! not many records can say they have a jimi hendrix feature i tried multiple times to wipe that dot on the bottom of the cover off my screen
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
Even Stephen would probably agree that this album has ni business being here
Bland music for bland people.
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.
There were some okay parts, like Hendrix, not so much Clapton. Lots of choral arrangements that left me cold. No real stand out songs, just a bit of a damp squib overall. I feel 2 stars is a little low, but it's not quite enough for 3.
Not my fav kinda music sorry
Just a solid album, could listen on repeat
Pompous *and* dull
This is a very good example of popular music at the time it was released. The arrangements and performance have aged well, the songwriting, well, not so much.
Love the One You're With is certainly a cracking track. Chuch (Pt. Of Someone) also piqued my interest but the rest of it was just kind of bland early 70s rock.
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)"
This guy should sing for Neil Young more.
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.
Love the one you're with is solid, but otherwise this was pretty average.
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.
vier bis fünf
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.
Not my favourite
2.5 stars rounding down on my official review because i want to send a message that WHY the hell would i need to listen to this before i die? this is such a spectacularly mid album. Stills is a great guitarist, and when that gets to shine the songs are good, but the vocals, the inexplicable choir, the songwriting, it’s all just meh to me. not something i needed to listen to.
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.
3.5 stars.
Good instrumentation. Worth another listen but didn't really draw me in
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.
Slow. Not exciting g
there is too much CSNY universe hate here. I get it, why do some bands seem overrepresented? I'll contrast the boys from the Byrds and Buffalo Springfield and all of their spinoffs as an example of the center point of American folk / rock / pop in the late 60s. At the center of that center point is Stephen Stills. This music may not strike you as great, but this is the influence that the influencers cite as what turned them to music and that can't be bad right? 3.5/5
3.5 - Incredible line-up of musicians but it didn't come together for me. Didn't tickle my brain in anyway
...
Blind album, know the artist by name. This album felt very middle of the road for me in regards to specialty and uniqueness. Not memorable but not bad I guess. I zoned off for this without any effort.
Love his voice and guitar!
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
Kind of forgettable to be honest.
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"
liked songs: Old Times Good Times, Cherokee (7!) A lot of this album is just ok, but the two songs above are great standout tracks. 2.75
a relatively low key yet fun album that's incredibly enjoyable and i'm a fan. Nothing really stood out as super crazy, but it was a nice listen!
It was okay. A little slow
Some really good tracks on here. Really solid album. Sit yourself down is a lowkey awesome song that doesn't get the love the other bigger hits do. I mean the names featured on here are just wild. Stills, Jimi, Clapton, Booker T, Ringo, Graham Nash. Yes they're all separated - but that's elite pull. Very solid 3. maybe 3.5 to be nice but i think i do that a lot. i love that they all have that one album that just bops for them individually. CSN&Y are a true super group to the absolute core.
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.
4.6 - Bit of me, not gonna lie
First couple of songs were nice. Some of the later ones (Black Queen) were a bit weird. Overall good vibes but kinda melted into not much of note for me. 3.3/5
It's a chilled listen and quite pleasant favourite tracks Love the One you're With and Church prefer stuff he did with CSN will probably give it another listen
Anyone in the Crosby stills Nash young cinematic universe is a friend of mine
not really my kind of music, nothing left an impression on me.
Bon ptit album folk honnête, on dérange personne avec ça
Still a solid album 55 years later. Love the One You're With still hits hard.
Entirely fine, which really is the most I can say for it.
svipar nokkuð til verka með csn(y), ekki mjög spennandi eða skemmtilegt. áferðarfallegt og spilar vel á gítarinn blessaður.
Fine
Fine. Nothing more. Wouldn’t actively seek it out to listen to again.
Uh, Stephen Stills. Loved him in Scott Pilgrim
Talented guy but feel like he might be better as part of an ensemble. Thought he was at his best on the bluesier tracks (go back home, black queen)
2.5
It is easy to diss him when you're hearing Crosby Stills and Nash yacht rock creep into your head. And the beginning of a couple songs are a little yachty, but geez he can play and the guest players are often astounding. Good pop fare, well done.
Very redolent of the times- some of the sentiment doesn’t sit well now but there is a strong familiarity. I’d rather have Neil Young but this was easy enough to listen to. Nostalgic!
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.
meh i mean, dude's talented, but i've never been able to connect with anything he's done outside of Buffalo Springfield of CSN(Y).
I mean it is Stephen Stills and the opening track is a killer. However, as I traveled into the album it started to feel trite. Then I felt guilty for that feeling because it's Stephen Stills.
6.5/10
January 26, 2025 HL: “Love the One You’re With”, “Old Times Good Times”, “Cherokee”, “We Are Not Helpless” Mileage may vary 3.5
It was pleasant enough but not Earth shattering
First listen.
I like Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and I've checked out some of the solo stuff from several of them but not much from Stills really. It's in a similar vein to a lot of the group's stuff so it's enjoyable. Doesn't have quite the same wow factor but it's no slouch either.
Ziemlich langweilig.
Thought it was going to be shite but got much better as it went on. Low 4
I've never heard this before, as I usually stick to CSN&Y stuff. What a voice. Lovely harmonies and enjoy the bluesy, gospel soul sound on songs like Church. Bit of a Joe Cocker sound on it. I was quite surprised by this as it’s a lot more pacey and rocky than I was expecting. I thought it would be more acoustic folky ditties, but it gets quite shreddy and funky at times. Old Times, Good Times and Go Back Home are great examples of this and feature Hendrix and Clapton providing solos, respectively. Enjoyed nearly every song here but To a Flame was a bit of damp squib after a belting first half of the album. Overall, this is excellent and I’ll be diving into more of the CSN solo work.
Solid 3.
This was an ok listen. I probably even enjoyed it, but I'm not sure it really belongs on this list. Couple of good songs that I hadn't heard before but otherwise it's no more or less than a decent folk rock album. 3.5 stars
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.
больше кантри/фолк чем мне интересно
The first solo album after CSN (though only the second if you could CSNY...though Neil Young is in a league of his own if we're being honest). The four-piece had been touring throughout 1970, but poor Stephen Stills couldn't keep his alcohol and cocaine habits under control. Prematurely ending the tour and splitting the group in the process, each of the four members perused their solo careers and would release an album in either late 1970 or early 1971. Between each of the four solo albums, it was Stephen Stills' self-titled that was most successful charting Billboard, primarily powered by the catchy opening track Love the One You're With. They still play that song on my local classic rock radio station, so it was a clear favorite. The album fluctuates between band jams, solo jams, and Stills attempting to outdo Neil Young at his own game. The only track that really stands out is the single Love the One You're With, which Stills doesn't quite manage to replicate anywhere else throughout the album. This leads to the overall experience being pretty good but not noteworthy enough for my liking.
Sounds exactly like the quarter of CSNY that he is. Some pretty finger picking.
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
Un gran placer el tiempo que pase con este álbum, un gran placer
Church is my fav. Gol. So good. Go back home. Good hell I love it. Dang. I liked this a bunch.
Not much to say other than meh
Great rock album - sounds really 70s for being released in 1970. Worth looking up all the people he got to play on this one
Stephen Stills is a very talented musician. Nothing monumental here but a nice record
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
As much as I talk about "dude with guitar" albums on this list, this one was fine, I'll be more surprised when one rates above a 3 though. Overall I enjoyed it.
Singing and melodies are nice, unsurprisingly. But it’s a lot of that rich white guy blues that hippies popularized. Dentist rock. The music is fine. But listening to the privileged sing the blues is agitating.
Liked the bluesy instrumental parts and not so much the rest.
4.25
1970 really was a peak period for the members of Crosby, Still, Nash and Young with the release of the group's album, Deja Vu, Neil Young's, After the Gold Rush and Stephen Still's debut self-titled solo album. To a lesser extend, Nash and Crosby issued solo records in 1971, so it was a time of chart-topping success for the quartet. This was a high standard for Stills to live up to as Young's album is considered a classic, but it is a commendable effort. The lead track, Love The One You're With, is well known and probably Still's best solo song, but the rest of the album plays out like outtakes from a CSN album. Nothing as memorable, all well done with some famous guests appearing, but I can't help thinking this was kind of underwhelming compared to the group's releases. Nice try Steve.
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 was a bit of a weird one to figure out whether I liked it or not. For the first couple of songs I thought it sounded like soundtrack music for a romcom or something Jools Holland would like and put on his Hootenanny. Not "fake", proper music, and all that, but just not with much edge or danger or whatever it is I like. Then there were songs that didn't just do the standard "rock guy with a gospel choir to add soul" thing. There was some wah guitar and a sort of Sly Stone vibe. Then a sort of 70s crooner pop song. Then there was a bluegrass / blues "one blues guy and his guitar" type song. So there's lots of elements and sounds and musicianship and stuff that I like... but it wasn't my cup of tea... why not? And then I twigged. I don't like his voice. It's the same problem I usually have with things I don't like. He sounds very average American white guy doing blues / rock vocals. A bit Rod Stewart. A bit whatever. There's currently a great sax solo going on, but as soon as the vocals come in I want to turn it off. The irony is, I wonder if all these different musical styles were to prove his "range" and yet his voice is the thing that always sounds, boringly, the same. Oh well.
Enjoyed this more than I thought I would….
love me some hippies
I like this more than just Crosby or Nash. Good not great.
this is good but doesn't really feel very distinct from its contemporaries in any way that would make me a repeat visitor
Yacht rock...
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.
Not for me. 1/5
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
I was initially excited since I grew up loving Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young (mainly Young). I also like the little Buffalo Springfield I’ve heard. This record isn’t bad by any means, and has some tracks I’ll add to my liked songs, but it’s just okay to me. There’s not much to say about it really.
Not bad but kind of expected to enjoy it more
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.
A solid folk-rock album. Actually, it's a bit more varied than I thought it would be - there are some baroque pop string flourishes, huge gospel choruses. Even a sitar makes an appearance! There are songs with some interesting ideas, but there are others that bog the album down. All in all, it's good, if not great. Fav tracks: Do for the Others, To a Flame, Cherokee
Awesome
Not bad, not memorable
I like the group better than this solo effort
Ok listen 3/5
You’re love the with one. Or whatnot. That song has been played to death but I begrudgingly accept it is a good song. Album is decent overall.
This was fine. Probably better than fine, but it feels like we’ve had a lot of dudes who play guitar in the 60s/70s in a row. Good but not necessarily good enough to stand out for me.
Stephen Stills is a very talented songwriter and musician. ….but. He’s just not as good as when he made so much 5 star music with Buffalo Springfield and CSNY. This album is pretty good-ish. It’s got some cool parts. I’ve heard it before and it’s in my vinyl collection. By the end, it had drug down from a 4 to a 3.5 for me. And if I’m going to give it a 4, it’s gotta earn it.
Really great album. Heavy on the blues with some great folky lyrics.
Not sure about the other two, but in Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Neil Young was the one whith the whiny voice, while Stephen Stills was the one with the talent. 3/5
Nice simple singer/songwriter album. Classic tracks, pleasant ballads, and jamming blues inspired make for a jaunty listen.
My favorite year in music history, the year of Deja Vu and After the Goldrush. In comparison this one feels like a bit of a dud. Not too many memorable tracks. What saves it is the warm production and strong instrumentation
Like, it's mid?
first listen it good
Meh
Good! Beautiful music
Out of CSN stills usually has the most extreme output, in that I mean he wrote the albums best and worst songs. And I feel that’s what this album’s like… but the song don’t really stand out 3/5
## 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.
It's fine, enjoyable but not anything I'd comeback to. It has some interesting uses of these gospel backing vocals (weirdly reminds me of the latest Bad Seeds album) but personally it was at its best when it was aiming for more purely folk rock stuff
interesting to uninteresting to interesting again, first song stands out among everything
Of course we all know Crosby, Stills & Nash. Then of course Young as well. Hard to think that it almost looked totally different. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Chutney. If it wasn’t for Stephen’s insecurity it could have been so different for all of us. But then we never would have had Houmous & Chutney. Everything happens for a reason. It has left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth and even after all these years, deep down I am quite pleased that this album was a bit of a non-event. 3.2
So much better than the jazz and crooner nonsense of the last albums. Straight ahead folk/ rock in the vein of Neil Young but a lesser version. Bobo Neil Young.
Pretty uneventful.
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.
Almost back-to-back with CSNY two days ago. Have had lots of that happening lately, interesting. Must say that this was quite beige and colorless in general. I don't think a single song stuck with me, it passed me by completely even though I appreciate CSN. Not much to say, strong 2.
Took me way too long to realise that Stephen Stills is the "Stills" of "Crosby Stills and Nash". I thought this was quite upbeat and a nice listen. Not the most memorable album but still enjoyable. Good mix of blues and folk rock. Not sure if listening to Stills solo compared as a part of "Crosby Stills and Nash" has any benefits though. Favourite song probably "Go Back Home" and "Love the One You're With".
Not for me at all. I'm not gonna complain if I hear these songs again, but they really didn't make an impact.
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.
average
It's no After the Gold Rush, but it's alright. The guitar on some of the songs stood out on first listen, I looked up the personnel and found out that Hendrix and Clapton played on this. That'll do it.
Really enjoyable album but felt it was lacking something I couldn't put my finger on. Probably Crosby Nash and Young Stand out tracks: - Love the one you're with - Church (Pt. Of someone) - Go back home - Black Queen - Cherokee - We are not helpless
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.
Rock me to sleep, Steve.
If beige were an album.
Delightfully jammy. It’s got that classic CSN palette, but applied in a looser way. I dig it.
Is it bad? No. But is it good? Also, no.
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.
Stills is a great songwriter, and there are some really good bops on this album, but with the changing landscape, his hippie vibes just don't land the same way they used to.
Only the first song really stuck out to me and it was more just like ‘ahhhh so this is who this song is by’
Solid album, the singles are geat.
Good album but nothing that makes you listen to it again. is like pasta with tomato sauce, you eat it but you would prefer something else
First song was good, rest was just so-so.
Nothing special but I did like Go Back Home a lot.
1001 albums by Crosby Stills Nash and Young you must listen to before you die
Good 1970s album.
Love the opener, but missing the Crosby and Nash otherwise.
peak folk rock. Core rock instrumentals without getting too loud. amazing album from start to finish
loved this album, very soft melodie’s
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.
One of the four top solo selling albums released within a year of the Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young's 'Deja Vu'. Neil Young's 'After the Gold Rush' seems to have survived the test of time the best. David Crosby's release was a pleasant surprise in this challenge. But Stephen Stills' self titled release hasn't blown me away as much. There's an impressive collection of collaborators, including his CSNY bandmates, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, and Jimi Hendrix. For 1970, that's quite a line up! And it's not a band album at all. It's well produced, the performances are good, the soulful backup vocals sound like they could have inspired some of Primal Screams works. But I'm just not as excited by the album as I'd like. Maybe another day if I'm in the right mood it would speak to me more.
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.
Folk rock. Ni fu ni fa.
Country, correcto.
I really liked the opening track. Happy, uptempo, soulful and catchy. Then the rest happened, and passed me by, without any noteworthy moments. Bland blues and gospel. And what’s up with the cover art?
Guitarra notável, especialmente quando é o violão acústico.
an interesting collection of decent tunes, including the original of a great Luther Vandross song - but just a bit bloodless and bland
bloody 70s dad yacht rock.. MY FAVE!!!! nothing groundbreaking in terms of the genre and never heard of this guy but i throughly enjoyed the vibes
I mean it's not bad on any technical level but it's boring. Not really a single memorable tune. Cherokee best track by far, but most of these are snoozers. Really not my style.
2624 - The A-Side was pretty good, but after that point is falls off, feels like mostly filler.
7.2 really nice first gald but 2nd half is mostly filler
Really nice acoustic guitar and horns
fine
Nothing offensive or bad about it but pretty directionless feeling for a classic rock album. The production is not bad and the songwriting/playing is okay but it does have the magic that his former groups have. Love the one you're with is a catchy song but you've heard it too much on classic rock radio at this point and most other songs left no lasting impression.
Not a big fan of Stephan Stills
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
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.
# Playlist track - Love the One You're With # Notes - Pleasant country, if a little unremarkable. - Some interesting instrumentals here and there, cool vibes and mostly OK tracks. Gets tired a bit too quickly. - I could give the album another star if it wasn't for "We Are Not Helpless", which is pretty bad.
Love the One You’re With // Church // 3.5/5
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
Nice music bye the "S" of CSNY. 70's vibe.
The A-Side was pretty good, but after that point is falls off, feels like mostly filler. C
Great singer songwriter/country with a touch of soul/gospel and a lot of energy
Listenable without being anything special
Quite forgettable
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.
blinked and I missed it
A man who must have a golden horseshoe up his arse. Middling songwriter who is a pretty good guitarist somehow manages to keep going and even has two albums in this list. If we have to have one it may as well be this bog standard 70s rock album -even his addition of a bunch of heavy hitting musicians friend (Hendrix, Clapton, Starr) can't stop this from being mediocre at best.. Best Tracks: Love The One You're With; Go Back Home; Black Queen
Country, correcto.
thoroughly enjoyed it
Great arrangements, unmemorable songs.
Very early rocky
Nah
The first half is pretty strong and almost had me forgiving the fact that this is yet another CSNY adjacent album. It fades away in the second half though so the blandness of the genre is just about restored
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
A better album than I expected.
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.
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.
There are highlights like Love the One Your With, but CSNY is far superior- Stills should have stuck with the group albums.
A good seventies acoustic album!
I dare say pleasant
A few I’ve heard before. It was ok
Quite enjoyable.
I'd probably give it a 3.3 if I'm being honest
Got Manassas recently and really enjoyed it so following that up with this release left me disappointed. Nothing too memorable here and it just left me bored overall. 2 stars
I have trouble distinguishing these guys apart (not Neil Young though as he's unique) but these songs are really good to listen to. Not absolutely brilliant but really soulful and meaningful. Some hits on here too so that's even better.
Maso
I hear the Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young sensibilities. Good guitar. 4/5
Quite a bit better than what I thought this would be. Much rockier and funkier and quite good. I new the opening track, Love the One Your With of course, and I'm kind of tired of that song so I think I was expecting more tracks like that. But this was much better, I'm probably 5 stars here.
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.
"Love the One You're With" is great. The rest is pleasant but unremarkable.
Nice instrumentation and some decent tunes. 3.5
A lovely piece of work, some nice songs, some nice textures. Not a stellar album but plenty of charm.
Nett, aber nicht besonders.
Good, but it would be super cool if this guy teamed up with some other musicians.
Loved the guitar and instrumentals here. 4.5
One-fourth of the great quartet of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, this was the debut solo album effort of Stills. Starting with his biggest hit, the jubilant "Love the One You're With", this album jumps between some folk rock that many would expect and some harder and funkier rock with the help of names like Hendrix and Clapton. Heck, even Ringo came in to play the drums on a few tracks, so this album is actually pretty loaded with talent. I don't know if that helps or hinders Stills in terms of showcasing his solo chops (seemed like only a handful of songs featured him prominently), but there's definitely no lack of effort in the production.
Good variety of cool guitar licks and catchy choruses with some gospel like backing. Only a few tracks didn't land with me
Bro does pack some nice guitar stuff
3.5. Can’t remember which track, but one of them has Jimi Hendrix on it. Think it’s Good Times Bad atimes
I would love this album if I was an even bigger fork than I am.
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.
nice JoJo reference hahaha (This was alright but a bit too simple and yeehaw for me)
Still for stills
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.
CSN (and sometimes Y) was always more than the sum of its parts. This isn’t to imply that Stephen Stills is untalented, far from it, but without those stunning harmonies and collaboration this album is a bit lacking.
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.
I was halfway through this and suddenly thought, this is Blues rock, this guy is stills. He must be one third of Jeffery, Stills and Mash! Hard to move beyond such a revelation!
Better than Young.
This was good music too have a cheeky little nap to. It has no sudden anything, and just sort of drifted over me. I don't think I'd ever listen again on purpose though.
When this album came up, I was like "who's Stephen Stills?" Which is the real tragedy, as he's a talent and should be more well known than he is. Ah yes, Buffalo Springfield; Crosby, Stills & Nash, of course! Several decent songs on this album, not always my sort of thing, but overall quite good. 3.5
Not my favorite Stills album.
Favorite track: Old Times Good Times
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!
Super-duper!!
Outstanding. Please play Love the One You’re With at my funeral. Thanks.
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!
Such familiar sound. Feels like I've known him forever without eer knowing who it was. Great album
I’m not sure if it’s his voice I find boring, his songwriting, or his desire to exist.
Tempted to give this 4 because it was slightly better than all the 3s I give. 3.49 maybe.
Good album. Not as good Crosby, Stills and Nash stuff but still very good.
Expected to hate it, actually didn’t mind it, but didn’t like it
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,"
I assume we'll get all 4 of CSNY's solo ventures from 1970 & 1971 on this list - Nash's is the only one that hasn't come up yet. So far Young's was the best and Crosby's was better. Everyone knows Love the One You're With and it's a great classic. I was so-so and many of the rest. Do for the Others and Church were decent softies, though I found I liked them a lot when they started and was a bit bored by the end of each. Old Times Good Times and Go Back Home had some nice guest guitar work from Hendrix and Clapton, respectively. The latter was a better song overall. And that was side one and where I stopped caring as much; side two wasn't as good. Black Queen had some nice plucking and Cherokee had some decent energy. Doesn't quite feel like a 3 but closer to that than a 4.
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.
Favorite Track: Go Back Home
bigger arrangements than i was expecting with that album art but not bad, just not great either
Just like his CSNY band member from a few days ago, outside of one or two songs it's meh.
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'd not listened to much Stills solo stuff but yes this is exactly what it should sound like. Gentle and hipsy-folkish.
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.