Customer Reviews

Stills Alone

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a frustrating CD. I've owned it for the better part of a decade and I like it. But it actually doesn't wind up in my CD player all that often.

Why? Because it _should_ have been the album that fans of Stephen Stills's acoustic music had been waiting for. And it isn't.

It falls flat -- not because Stills himself does anything less than a terrific job, but because somebody got the bright idea of recording him on an 'electrified' acoustic guitar (using what sounds like a low-end piezoelectric pickup). In short, the production here is terrible.

The result is a twangy, clickety-clacky guitar sound that doesn't even remotely resemble the angry growl Stills used to coax out of his Martin dreadnoughts on the best of his old acoustic tunes. 'Treetop Flyer' is one of the coolest songs Stills has ever written. But the guitar part, instead of revisiting the territory of 'Black Queen', sounds like something recorded in some teenager's garage.

Ah, well. Most of the music is good. Stills covers 'Everybody's Talkin'' (by his old pal Fred Neil), the Beatles' 'In My Life', and Dylan's 'Ballad of Hollis Brown', and revisits a handful of tunes from his first two solo albums. There are some new (as of 1991, that is) tunes, including the aforementioned 'Treetop Flyer' and 'Isn't It So' (which wound up as the theme song for the short-lived television series _Second Noah_). All of it works pretty well. (The exception is 'Amazonia', which tacks a mediocre lyric over the chord progression from Stills's 'Fair Game' and some sort of electronic percussion track.)

But you have to be able to stand the sound. I think Stills is a decent guitar player and I like to listen to him when he cuts loose. But I sure do wish somebody had done a better job recording him here. This could have been a great album, and instead it's only pretty good.

This CD isn't _just_ for Stills fans, but if you haven't heard Stills's solo work before, don't start here.

First released back in 1991, this little gem is just Stephen singing and playing on acoustic guitars. Covers of: (Fred Neil) "Everybody's Talkin" and (Lennon-McCartney) "In My Life", right alongside Stills' own compositions: "Isn't it So" and "Singin' Call". Stephen has been the master-of-tales for over 40 years now and: "Stills Alone" is the proof of the greatness of this performer. This is the ONLY place to find the great tune: "Treetop Flyer" in a studio setting, and that alone makes this one special.

If there is one thing wrong with: "Stills Alone" that would be the length of this CD, as it is too short. Stephen, needs to re-release this one with 20 tracks, add on: "Stateline Blues" or "Midnight Rider." As I have have witnessed these performances in concert, and Mr. Stills, armed with only an acoustic guitar NAILED them.

This is my favorite Stephen Stills CD, and now it's out-of-print and will cost you BIG BUCKS. I do hope the powers that be will bring this one back, bigger & better...
FOUR STARS!

Mr. Silberman, can't you hear that Singin' Call is most likely an outtake from SS 2 rather than a recent remake? Your comments about the inferiority of the playing and the vocals to the original version of the song are pretty funny, given that any fan who listens to the Stills Alone version in the context of the other songs on Stills Alone can tell from the vocal quality and guitar sound that the song was recorded decades ago. You may not know Stills' work quite as well as you think you do.

If you're a "wooden" guitar player this album is a must have. Can you recognize the DDDDAD tuning used in Suite: Judy Blue Eyes, Bluesman, 4+20, etc? My favorite is "Just Isn't Like You" .... simple, yet powerful. I'd love for Stephen to do another acoustic album .... yes, his vocals are worn .... but like they say "the older the violin, the sweeter the music."

Even though he sings out of key on a few songs, I give this ***** for many reasons. The first being that this was a labor of love for music on the part of Stills. It's refreshing because most other musicians are motivated by making $$$. It's obvious that making $$$ was not on Stills' mind when he did this. Stills is a legend having done so many good/excellent albums with varied styles. Here is yet another gem to add to your collection. Basically just him and his Martin accoustic with occassional help on background vox on a few tracks. He redoes some tracks from his first few solo albums with an added accoustic twist which was good to hear. The packaging was excellent as well.

Stills is a legend. Seems to take a backseat to more known folks like Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, etc.. However, I am not fooled by the lack of publicity from the press/media and think Stills is the best of the bunch.

All and all, one of the few albums from the 1990's that I would call "take with you to a desert island because it's too good to leave behind".

If you want to hear a great accoustical folk album with some bluesy parts as well as country-rock parts and a time worn/raspy voice (which adds to a positive effect), this album is a must. Stills sings/plays from the heart on this non-commercial album(which he knew would not make any money) rather than from the wallet (like so many others do). Quite refreshing and one of my favorite albums from the 1990's. Stills is a legend and this album prooves it to me. You cannot be without this album if you play accoustic guitar as well.

I always enjoyed the music and voice of Stephen Stills, but had lost track of him for a long time. A few months ago I kept hearing this track "Tree Top Flyer" playing on a local college radio station and recognized the unmistakeable voice and guitar stylings. I bought the cd and have played it about a kazillion times. Simple, sweet, bluesy and unconventional are words I would use to describe the cd. Stills showcases his undeniable talent for the guitar and his unique vocal stylings on a combination of originals such as "Isn't it So" and one some covers such as Dylan's "Ballad of Hollis Brown." Still performs soulful renditions of the Beatles' "In My Life" and Nilsons' "Everybody's Talkin'", but the highlight of the cd remains his very original, very introspective "Treetop Flyer." Get this cd!

I thought Stills was affecting the whiskey voice when I first heard this disc, but in fact, his voice was near shot. Funny, Dylan would come to later ape this vocal delivery at the close of the twentieth century.
Anyway, there are moments of genius here that you wish Stills would take note of and perhaps fashion as a career direction. His take on "Bluebird," "Everybody's Talking" and "Blind Fiddler" are genius. His composition "Treetop Flyer" a thing of wonder. The whole disc comes off all the better for his keeping it simple, acoustic and sublime. He seemed to be competing with no one, and as a result, he simply articulates poetry. The guitar playing is memorable, and often a testament to how protean he could be when he was not trying. Less was not only more, it is in this case sublime.
If you are a fan of acoustic music in any respect, this is a worthy addition to your collection. If you are a fan of Stills, this is an understated masterpiece, and goes a long way to explaining why he was so highly regarded by his peers. Shame he couldn't exorcise the raging ego for good.........

Okay let's face it, we are all getting older. And despite the fact that "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" sounds like it was made today...it wasn't. That was 1969, this is 2001. Stills voice has always been full of soul, grit and rock n' roll. It's still there. Just a bit more tried, but that means a bit more true in this case. "Hollis Brown" is simply wonderful, the guitar picking something else, the lyrics haunting, the vocal delivery...I can picture Stills on the porch sippin bourbon, rocking in a southern," front-porch-style chair, playing and looking me right in the eye. Personal faavourite here is, "Tree-Top Flyer"...a good tune, alot of emphasis on the lyric delivery...another great story. The man and his music, (just like sinatra), get better all the time. And different too. Don't be afraid of the raw Stills voice here...don't compare him to the Stephen Stills of 1969. He's still one of us, and like it or not, we are all older. Enjoy this life, and it's music, ya ain't gettin' another one.

Pay no mind to the nay sayers.This is a beautiful cd."Just Isn't Like You","Singin'Call","Blind fiddler Medley" and "Tree top flyer",alone,are worth the price...Simple and breath taking,in my humble opinion.I will be listening to this gem for the rest of my life.

His voice is weathered and he struggles to stay in tune. He's walking a tightrope and is teetering on the edge of failure. All his faults are laid bare and exposed. So why is this release so enjoyable? I suppose he could've played it safe and doctored these tunes with production techniques and studio musicians. He didn't have a label backing him up either. Nothing to gain and really nothing to lose. Still he gets to pay tribute to some of his favorite songwriters while simultaneously dusting off previously released songs and presenting new ones. Does it work? Not on a commercial level. I believe this release is a labor of love, and yes at times he does labor. "Isn't It So" is a revealing autobiographical song. "Amazonia" an honest appraisal of the deforestation ocurring in the Brazilian rainforest. "Treetop Flyer" a concert favorite from a smuggler's viewpoint. Sure his guitar playing is an uneven but it detracts nothing from the songs themselves. He misses the high notes but in doing so it adds character. A heartfelt release by an artist who still loves music. You can hear it in every note that cracks. Worth owning but not at the inflated prices some sellers are asking for. If you can find it for around thirty bucks I'd say that would be a fair bargain.