I, like the previous reviewers of this great album, am completely shocked at Mr. McNett's remark underating Stephen Still's accomplishments with CSN AND CSNY. Without Stills' incredible musical talent, I honestly don't see these 2 albums being the great success that they were. Stills certainly carried the first album in production and musical instrument participation(just take a closer read at the credits), and,in my opinion, his songs seem to stand out more, both lyrically and musically, in comparison to Crosby's and Nash's. I certainly don't place him above the others, they were a unique sound and teamed talent TOGETHER, but to say that he was the least accomplished of the 4 is inconceivable (and I'm not the guy from The Princess Bride, either)!!!

I feel sorry for Stephen Stills. Apparently the only creature interested in hearing his wonderful music was the plastic pink giraffe on the album cover! Well don't let that giraffe fool you- the guy has millions of fans, and don't let the guitar he's holding fool you either- there's a LOT more going on here than just acoustic guitar-based music.

"Do For the Others" features a softly sung, feel-good type 70's vocal melody reminiscent of... dun dun dun! The one and only Crosby, Stills and Nash. The lyrics are honest in a way that reveals Stephen Stills expressing his feelings in a relatively somber kind of way. Now I went into "Church (Part of Someone)" totally preparing myself for the religious experience of a lifetime, and... not quite. It's a piano-based gospel ballad with a female chorus. Again, the noticeable aspect of pure honesty is hard to ignore, and probably what makes the song so appealing. I admire it.

"Old Times Good Times" (not QUITE the Led Zeppelin song, har har!) is basically just a catchy rocker with an EXCELLENT guitar and organ jam at the end. Wait, is that Jimi Hendrix on guitar? Can that be true? Good stuff there! "Go Back Home" stands out for being the heaviest song here. It's a blues rocker with a REALLY good verse melody and melodic guitar soloing. The guitar jam at the end is great, but not before the melody switches up somewhere around the 3-minute point.

"Sit Yourself Down" and read my review! Er... more like sit down and appreciate a song with meaningful lyrics and balladry vocals enhanced by a gospel choir. "To a Flame" reminds me of Neil Young with the haunting vocals. It's a dramatic ballad similar to the early work of Neil Young. How Stephen Stills somehow morphs his voice into Neil's is a deep dark secret... or perhaps totally unintentional! "Black Queen" features a hoarse voice by Stephen Stills, and the song is based around acoustic blues- a style of music I'm learning to appreciate ever since I acquired Hot Tuna's self-titled debut. I like the way Stephen soars his voice during the second half while continuing to wail away on his acoustic guitar. A highlight.

"Cherokee" is an experiment of some kind- it features a wide variety of musical instruments such as flutes, saxophones, heavy electric guitar, and of course, a vocal melody. There's some other weird instrument that sounds like a sitar dominating a good portion of it, but I have no earthly idea what it is. I bet someone out there knows and wouldn't mind filling me in on what it's called (hint hint!) Honestly the vocals get lost in the mix because everything *else* is pretty upfront and chaotic. I wasn't expecting anything like this. I went in expecting a peaceful mellow type song. Nope! "We Are Not Helpless" (you're darn right we're not!) is a tender ballad that makes me wonder if Loggins & Messina were listening to this song carefully because it sounds similar to their "Danny's Song" hit. After a few minutes, the tempo picks up and becomes a piano-based gospel rocker. Admirable.

Oh my goodness! I completely forgot to mention the most popular song, haha! The grandest song of them all as far as gospel creating an enormous, worldly feeling of bliss is concerned. "Love the One You're With!" I always thought it contained the ultimate lyrics for those struggling to keep a relationship togehter. You know, a man wants to cheat on his wife but he'd feel guilty about it so... just love the one you're with, haha. Me and my silly interpretations!

Overall, a quality debut. Actually it's better than that. It's terrific! I highly recommend it.

Stephen Stills (self titled): This is a nice album from Stephen Stills. It is not his best album but it is enjoyable. It has the hit "Love the one your with". "Sit yourself down" is also a nice cut. The rest is pleasant. A four-star album.

While this is not Stephen Stills' best album, Amazon's `editorial review' by Gavin McNett is inexcusably wrong in his characterization of Mr. Stills' talent.

Stephen Stills, as most everyone reading these reviews knows, is one-third of CS&N, and one-fourth of CSN&Y. He is also clearly the Mozart of the group, writing many of the most memorable songs and playing and recording most of the instrumental parts, and with such mastery, that this cohorts nicknamed him "Captain Manyhands." In short, in terms of pure musicianship he is, contrary to the Amazon reviewer's statement, easily THE most accomplished member of the bunch. Anyway, on to the review:

I called this the "Solo" album in the "Classic" sense of the word because it seems to be the work of a BAND musician (at heart) stepping away from his main group to make something much more personal. He's.. say, given his "regular" band most of his top-tier stuff, but he's got some songs in the vault that are still close to his heart, and he wants to record them. And this wonderful album is the result. If the songs don't quite reach the same heights as "Carry On", Suite Judy Blue Eyes", they are, nevertheless, beautiful to the ears, and full of great musical and lyrical touches. Stills can jam (even with himself) and it makes a gorgeous noise, the guitars, bass, and organ tearing it up on every cut.

The first track, "Love the One You're With" is a giddy ode to adultery. It's bark is perhaps bigger than its bite, and with all its heavy instrumentation and over-the-top choral cheerleading, remains a rather lightweight little anthem. Great for singalongs though, and has a very infectious chorus that has kept it around even after all these years.

"Do for the Others" is much more interesting tune, and the melody winds its way around the chord changes in all sorts of amazing ways. This is the kind of cut that sounds very.. Stills.

"Church" gives him a chance to experiment some more with his "cast of 1000's" approach. This is one the Ray Charles could have done a great cover of. After many hearings, I find this recording of it to be, for me, a bit too heavy on the "epic" side. If the song was a little more interesting, compositionally, perhaps the mega-production might have been a better fit. I'd love to hear a remix one day with 1/3rd as many people on it.

The two following cuts again illustrate the brilliance of Stills when he's got similarly gifted collaborators to work off and push against. Again, the songs taken by themselves, are very, very good, if not necessarily hallowed classics. Still the way they're brought off by Stills and his guests Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix elevate them to what can only be described as absolutely jaw-dropping killer tracks. Stills knew exactly how to work these guys into his musical vision, while giving them a fresh backdrop for their own great talents. Everyone here just shines, and makes these among the strongest cuts on the album.

"Sit Yourself Down" is another rousing sing-along, but perhaps less interesting than "Love the One.." or "Church". Not bad for a side 2 opener (for those who still play their old vinyl copies). Still very fun, and a good one to crank up when you're alone in the house, doing chores, and want to feel like you've got company just in the next room.

"To a Flame"~This one is another bit of pure introspective Stills, and with its great moody atmospherics and beautifully strange chord movement. Never tire of hearing it.

"Black Queen"~Stills has recorded this one more than once, but I believe he saved his best take for this album. The song, simply a rather loose collection of word-plays and vocal/guitar Blues runs, is wielded into the masterpiece it is strictly by its fiery performance, and great sense of drama and atmosphere. Stills, the solo Blues-man is at his absolute best here. Ironic that the least-realized actual song on this album, in terms of its ability to stand alone and apart from its performance, is also its strongest cut. This is definitely the one track I'd play for anyone who hasn't heard it, and wants to know if Stills was ever really "All That" back in the day...

"Cherokee" is a song that introduces some Jazzier touches, including flute and sax solo breaks played by Sidney George. The rhythm section includes Booker T. Jones on keys. "We Are Not Helpless" is Stills' response to Neil Young's song "Helpless." These two songs are, well, very much of their time; you can almost smell the incense and feel the vibe of bell-bottomed guitar player/singers around you.

Overall, a very good collection of tunes performed by the musical shaman of CSN (and sometimes Y), with a little help from his awesome friends, and lots of recording tape.


Michael

Where did Amazon get this guy McNett to review the music of Stephen Stills? He obviously does not have a clue of this music or the history of Rock & Roll. Steve Still was song for song on par with Neil Young during their Buffalo Springfield days and in CS&N he was head and guitar more accomplished in every way than David or Graham. CS&N was a group that was certainly greater that any individual but it is the work of Stills that has stood out as the best they had to offer.

ONE OF STEPHEN'S BEST ALBUMS, EVERY TRACK IS GREAT, ESPECIALLY WITH THE AWESOME SHM AUDIO FORMAT. MUST HAVE FOR ANY CD COLLECTION, BUT DON'T PAY THESE RIDICULOUS OVER-INFLATED PRICES, I BOUGHT MINE FROM THE MUSIC SPECIALIST ON E BAY, THEY ALSO HAVE A STORE IN GEMM, ANTEATERMUSIC. SAVE YOURSELF A TON OF CASH.
CHEERS!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stephen Stills' 1970 solo album has way more depth than what radio plays from it. Radio stations are stuck on the first track, LOVE THE ONE YOU'RE WITH, which is a great song, but there are so many more great songs here. Fresh off of Buffalo Springfield, as well as being at the start of a very successful tenure in Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, Stephen Stills took time to put together one of the finest collections of songs in the history of music. This album has it all:Powerful ballads, gospel, folk, rock, blues, jazz, etc. Even the late great Jimi Hendrix appears on a track (Old Times, Good Times). I particularly like TO A FLAME, which is so unusual-sounding. This album is just plain powerful, and the melodies are bold and addictive. I recommend this album to anyone who just wants to hear some good music, regardless of their age. This album can appeal to anyone. 10/10