Stephen Stills [Original recording remastered]

Stephen Stills | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 5, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Atlantic
• ASIN: B000002J6H
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,444 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #65 in Music > Rock > Country Rock

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

He wasn't the most accomplished member of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young--or even of Crosby, Stills &Nash, for that matter. But his songs are certainly in a league with those of the other members, and it's chiefly on his solo albums that Stills's own personality comes through. Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth" belongs to Stills, which shows where his influences lie. The hits "Love the One You're With" and "Sit Yourself Down," both of which live here, show how they developed. Sensitive? Lyrical? Not exactly. Think rugged denim, an acoustic guitar, and a woman at home to sew on his appliqués and pick the seeds out of the pot. --Gavin McNett

Product Description

180 Gram Vinyl edition. Stephen Stills has influenced generations with his powerful voice, songwriting artistry, and passionate guitar playing, both as a solo artist and as a member of Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, and Manassas. --This text refers to the Vinyl edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not accomplished?, January 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Stephen Stills (Audio CD)

I'm astonished by the comments of the amazon.com reviewer. Stills is the most accomplished musician in CSNY: He played every instrument except the drums on the debut record and almost all on Deja Vu. While all the guys in CSNY have their strengths, Stills is the one with cache with serious players. Incidentally, it's Stills, not Clapton playing the solo in the middle of "Go Back Home." (Clapton plays the coda). Listen to Stills handle the Hammond B-3 on the jam with Hendrix. It's a shame this guy never lived up to his talent, but when this album was released he was at the top of his game.

49 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stills' First and Best Solo Effort Ever, July 16, 2004

By 

Juan Mobili (Valley Cottage, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stephen Stills (Audio CD)

It was the beginning of a new decade and, as Dickens wrote "it was best of times, it was the worst of times," CSN&Y has made it clear there would no more "Deja Vu"s and it was impossible not to be sad as having such stunning encounter of four songwriting talents stop their four-way magic at one single album.
And then there were four solo beauties -except for Young's "After the Gold Rush," first albums for Crosby, Nash and Stills- that returned a smile to many of our grieving faces.

Although if compared to his feuding amigos I would not rate Stephen Still first solo recording the best of all four, there's nothing here that could not be considered absolutely impeccable.
Furthermore, as musical breadth goes, this album show unequivocally Stills' capacity and deep understanding of what Rock was becoming and practically every well it drunk from.
And everything it's realized perfectly, the soaring chorus and sweeping organ of "Love The One You're With;" the Gospel beauty of "Church" and "To A Flame;" "Old Times Good Times," where Stills trades licks with Hendrix himself; the horns launching "Cherokee" into its own outer space, the sensuous cadence of "Sit Yourself Down;" the tequila-soaked blues of "Black Queen;" the quiet folk of wisdom of "We Are Not Helpless" ...
Well, you definitely get the picture. This is Stills' solo masterpiece, a work of such greatness that made his follow-up solo recordings -very good albums indeed- impossible to match it. Perhaps Manassas' debut is the only other album Stills put out -then as a band leader again- that can be compared to this one.
This is an album that belongs in any serious Rock worshipper's CD collection, not because of its possible historical significance nor any prior sentimental attachment to those times, but exclusively on the strength of its musical content, as relevant and soulful today as thirty-odd years ago.

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars STILLS' SOLO DEBUT IS A MASTERPIECE!!!, June 12, 2002

By 

Jared Insell (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stephen Stills (Audio CD)

Stephen Stills was (and still is) my favourite member of Crosby Stills Nash & Young. So like most of the other reviewers here I am shocked by the statements by the Amazon.com reviewer. Stills the least accomplished of CSN&Y? Thats not true, if it weren't for Stills there would be no CSN&Y. He wrote the majority of their best songs and was truly a talented musician on his own as he proved here.

Stephen Stills self titled debut is arguably his best album of his solo years (only Manassas can be considered better). Most music fans should already know the opening track LOVE THE ONE YOU'RE WITH which was one of Stills biggest hits. It featured the vocal talents of David Crosby, Graham Nash, Rita Coolidge, Priscilla Jones and John Sebastian. DO FOR THE OTHERS is a wonderful acoustic song with some philosphical lyrics. CHURCH (PART OF SOMEONE) is somewhat of an anthem. OLD TIMES GOOD TIMES is an awesome rocker with Jimi Hendrix on the guitar and Stills playing impressively on the Hammond organ. GO BACK HOME is a wonderful blues rock tune with Stills and Eric Clapton trading awesome guitar riffs. SIT YOURSELF DOWN is another lesser known hit that featured the backing vocals of Rita Coolidge, Priscilla Jones, Claudia Lanier, John Sebastian, Cass Elliot, and David Crosby. TO A FLAME is a beautiful love ballad with a touch of jazz influence. BLACK QUEEN once again displays Stills amazing acoustic guitar talents. CHEROKEE is a riveting jazzy rocker with some amazing guitar, saxophone and organ. The closing track WE ARE NOT HELPLESS is a nice powerful closer featuring the backing vocal guests once again. The song starts off as a simple acoustic piece by Stills but turns into a powerful rocking anthem.

This album truly shows the musical variety and diversity Stills put into his work. Whether it was rock 'n roll, folk and country rock, jazz, or blues rock Stills would play it wonderfully. It is also a real treat to have many guest musicians here too such as Clapton, Hendrix, the other members of CSN&Y among others. However Stills proved on this album that he could easily work on his own without the help of others for he wrote all of these amazing songs as well as played the majority of instruments.

Overall Stephen Stills' self titled debut is a wonderful album that could very well equal the brilliance of CSN&Y's Deja Vu.
It is an album of musical diversity and seems to have aged quite well. This is one of my personal favourites from him. Highly recommended!