Customer Reviews

Stills

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

After his double-LP triumph with Manassas, Stephen Stills became a much less prolific songwriter. Perhaps he unconsciously perceived he had nothing else to prove, and this began to limit his output. It wasn't that he still didn't produce good work... you can't argue with songs like 'Dark Star' and 'Southern Cross'... it's just that there wasn't as much of it.

Most Stills aficionado's consider his second effort with Manassas to be a disappointment, though that conclusion is certainly relative to its predecessor. After Manassas dissolved as a band, Stills reprised an eclectic mix of his earlier collaborations with David Crosby and Graham Nash, Manassas, and Buffalo Springfield in an engaging 1974 live LP... so nothing new was coming out. The album being reviewed here followed, and is considered to be Stills' fourth 'solo' LP, but a review of the detailed liner notes reveal it to be a collection of songs gleaned from 1971 to 1975 that, for whatever reason, never made it to disc. Nearly every song involves a completely distinct cast of musicians. On 'As I Come of Age' for example, we have Crosby, Stills and Nash on vocals and Ringo Starr on drums. On the remainder of the CD, there are no less than 5 other drummers featured: Conrad Isadore, Jimmy Fox, Russ Kunkle, Dallas Taylor, and Tubby Ziegler, and much overdubbing is noted. There is an assortment of over a dozen vocalists credited, many contributing to only one song. This was hardly a band coming together in one studio to record a set of new compositions.

That being said, this is not a poor production. There are deficiencies, but it is the last of Stills' collectable solo efforts. The biggest problem with the album is the lack of any cutting edge rock numbers. By the time 'Cold Cold World' and 'Myth of Sisyphus' roll around, most people are definitely feeling the blues, or a bit drowsy. The strongest rock songs on the LP are the Stills-Donnie Dacus composition, 'Turn Back the Pages', which reached number 84 on the national charts in the summer of '75, and 'Shuffle Just As Bad', best described as... well, a shuffle. There are no 'Go Back Home's or 'The Treasure's to blow the lid off the pot. There are a couple upbeat numbers, such as 'To Mama From Christopher and the Old Man', 'First Things First' and 'New Mama' to help lighten the load, but otherwise the song selection is rather subdued, or blues oriented. Many Stills fans resent the presence of Dacus on this, and the subsequent 'Illegal Stills' album, but I find his intense leads provocative, especially on the 1974 live set. In a way, Dacus proved to be a much more compatible foil for Stills than Neil Young, or even Chris Hillman, who too readily stood in the shadows on rhythm guitar, supporting Stills' leads in Manassas. Further, Dacus' and Hillman's presence reveals Stills' willingness to share the spotlight, a trait critics often contend Stills is lacking.

There do seem to be two themes dominating the songs. One is changes. Stills hints at an awareness that his era of prolific songwriting is fading, hence his choice to 'Turn Back the Pages' in his songwriting catalog, raiding the vault for this disc. Consider these telling, autobiographical phrases from 'My Favorite Changes': "This is my favorite set of changes, already good for a couple of songs, thought I might play them one more time and over again", and "Makes me go back to the trouble I got into, trying to live up to what they said I lucked into at twenty-five", and "But here I stand tryin' so hard to find, one more clever line, for this song of mine, but I can't seem to find, anything that will rhyme, with my favorite changes". Sounds like an artist having a hard time keeping the pen to the songwriting grindstone, doesn't it? Ironically... aren't those some great lyrics?

The other theme is family life. At this point in his life Stills was nursing what would become a short-lived marriage, and enjoying the arrival of his son, Christopher. Songs such as Stills' cover of Neil Young's 'New Mama', 'To Mama From Christopher and the Old Man', and lyrics from songs such as 'My Favorite Changes' ("And this part reminds me of my lady, she loves me, she's waitin' at home, and the baby she's makin', I tell you it's frightnin' how she trusts me so...") clearly mark the point where this singer-songwriter's life was at. Such diversion probably isn't the most fertile soil for cutting edge rock and roll, so perhaps this accounts for the album's lack of an edge.

Nonetheless, this is an engaging CD. A number of these songs, such as 'Turn Back...', 'My Favorite Changes', 'In the Way', 'First Things First', 'As I Come of Age', and 'Myth of Sisyphus' could have easily claimed a spot on any of Stills' other solo productions. There are some weaker compositions, in particular 'Love Story' and 'Cold Cold World', but even those songs have their redeeming moments. This is certainly a 'must-own' for any avid collector of Stephen Stills. Oh, and one nice 'extra': lyrics are included!

When this album was first released, I was in high school. I was going through a real mind bending relationship with a girlfriend who told me she loved me but in reality, did not. One night, I was trowling around the FM dial (anyone remember REAL FM?) when "Turn Back the Pages" came on, which caused me to both choke back tears and rock out at the same time. At that moment, I became a loyal Stephen Stills fan, and this is in my top 10 favorite albums of all time. This album literally got me through high school, and several of its tunes are self-anthems to me. Today, I'm a working musician and SS remains one of my biggest influences. Thank you, Mr. Stills, for this classic piece of work.

As Crosby wandered about as El Dopo, Nash took photos of himself, and Young set about betraying all ala Jean Genet, Stills got himself together, must have swallowed some pride and produced a CD that was, is and remains a sobering account of one's life. More rocking than Dylan's "Blood On The Tracks," this effort laid it out as finely as anything he would ever do what it meant to live one's life with careful reflection.
All the songs here are extraordinary, and his tendency towards excess seeps out only with "Love Story", and that suits the song just fine.
Ringo is along for the ride here, Donnie Dacus proves to be an excellent foil for Stills, and nods to Neil in the form of the best version ever of "New Mama" round out an album that begins on a great song "Turn Back the Pages" moves through the brilliant "Favourite Changes" and fulfills everything Stills was capable of.
CSN was in free fall. Stills seemed to have nowhere to go with the dissolution of Stills-Young, and faced with this precipice, summoned forth all of his strengths. His guitar playing, particularly his otherwise annoying wah-wah, was at its very best. His voice was terrific, and perhaps this is really his highwater mark as a solo artist.

.... but one star? I just washed my vinyl copy with Disc Doctor today and this is still one sweet album. I haven't heard it much in the last few years- I kind of overdid it back in '75-'76. Love Story, My Angel, Favorite Changes, First Things First and so on. I loved the Clapton comparison below- very true. Too bad Stephen sort of burned out as an important writer. Make no mistake, this guy was every bit Neil's equal and more in his prime. Donnie Dacus? Just a very good musician on this album. Unfortunately, this is Stephen's last really good solo album, so don't fail to grab it. I'm just sorry you can't grab some nice new vinyl to really capture the soul of the performances.

If you're looking for accessible rock that gets repeated airplay on the FM dial, look elsewhere. If you're looking for good, honest sincere music that gets better and better with each listen, check out Stills. For me, all 12 songs have their place depending on the mood and situation of the moment. There is no filler. Mostly relaxed (but never sickening and syrupy) songs with nice guitar work, vocal harmonies and lyrics. I recall listening to this when I was 18 years old and not being all that impressed. In-fact, I was bored with it. Now I am 35 and have been taking up acoustic guitar and have tried this album again. Wow! Talk about night and day in terms of listening experience. Everyone and their brother may go on and on about Eric Clapton but I think I prefer to listen to Stills. Stills music is more challenging than Clapton's and requires more listens than Clapton's to fully appreciate the work BUT Still's music has more "staying" power than Clapton's (ie, it's much harder to get burned out on Still's than Clapton). What you get here is an album with 12 good compositions and no major hits. Put it in and listen from start to finish.

On his first album for Columbia Records, Stephen Stills reached into his songwriting past, wrote a few new ditties, and borrowed a tune from an old friend. It was released at a time when Stills' addictive behaviour was toned down, after the break-up of the seminal Stills' band Manassas, and before either his misguided reunion with Neil Young (The Stills-Young Band) or excellent reunion with Crosby and Nash (CSN). The result is an engaging and ecclectic collection of songs from a man confident in his past accomplishments but uncertain of where his musical future might lay.

After marrying French chanteuse Veronique Sanson, moving almost full time to his ranch in Colorado and having his first son, Stills must have felt very grown up and settled down. This album reflects that mood as it presents a predominantly laid back collection of songs more reminiscent of his Buffalo Springfield period and the first CSN album.

This collection is rich with Stills' various music influences from the latin flavoured "First Things First" to the blues infused "Shuffle Just as Bad", and from the jazz intoned "My Favourite Changes" to the gospel foundation of "Myth of Sysyphus". Other highlights include Stills' electric version of Neil Young's "New Mama", the R & B reworking of "My Angel" (originally written for Buffalo Springfield), the folk-rock gem "To Mama from Christopher and the Old Man" and an excellent version of "As I come of Age" with Crosby and Nash and Ringo Starr. There really isn't a bad track on this disc but the ecclectic nature of the record requires a few listenings to get the overall feel.

Ask yourself the following questions:

Do I like Stephen Stills? Do I like Crosby, Stills and Nash? Do I like Buffalo Springfield?

If you answered yes to any of these - buy this record.

While this album may not be a classic like Stills' first solo record or the ambitious first Manassas album, this album has certainly stood up through time.

The singles and most well known tunes fomr this album, "Turn Back the Pages," "First Things First," and "As I Come of Age" are really not indicitive of the overall strength of this album. The real beauty of this effort lies within the groove of "In the Way," the introspective "Myth of Sisyphus," and the riff-driven "My Favorite Changes."

This release seems to find Mr. Stills in a state of contentment, and the lyrics aren't as socially conscious as we are used to from this champion of politics. The lyrics, however, do begin the trend in Stephen's development (and even embracing) into middle age.

All in all, a fine record that marks a change for Stills. "Stills" is truly an album that deserves returning to over and over again.

CSN always said its music was about "changes." This one will stay with you for many changes in your life -- and, quite possibly become one of your "favorite changes."

Like many over-40s of the Baby Boomer generation (BBs) I am replacing all my worn-out vinyl with portable CDs. Stills' 'Stills' just has to be up there among the best. This was a top album in its time and still stands the test of time. I just love Neil's 'New Mama' and the funky rhythm of 'Turn back the Pages'. I once spent an evening buying Stephen Gelnlivet whiskies ... I hope he remembers a determined fan in Adelaide South Australia one day - should he ever read my review. Goodonyer SS! Paul Hellander, Adelaide, South Australia

This is Stephen at his best. For me it even tops the first Mansasas album.

Creative. Great song writing. Great story telling. Beautiful music.

It's a shame that Stephen is mostly unknown amoung today's music fans as his music has dropped off the radar screens of just about all radio stations out there. And he never made videos.

As the terrific liner notes indicate, Stephen Stills' 1975 album "Stills" was recorded in something of a "whenever I get around to it" fashion (the recording of "As I Come Of Age" began in 1971, and the song features David Crosby, Graham Nash, and instantly recognizable drumming from Ringo Starr). However, don't let that get you thinking that this album is stuffed with second-rate leftovers. Perhaps amazingly, the album manages to have a unified feel and an excellent flow, capturing Stills at his best, with song after song being a gem.

Many of these songs definintely fall into the 'feel-good' category, yet beneath the surface lie some surprisingly confessional and incisive lyrics.

"Turn Back The Pages" (written by Stills and Donnie Dacus), with its slower verses and uptempo singalong choruses, is a great uplifting opener to the album. The deceptively laidback "My Favorite Changes" has tasty guitar licks and some great offhand humor including the wonderfully 'dumb' wordless background vocals. "My Angel" is a great little groove tune--the liner notes tell us it comes from a jam session (based on chord changes from drummer Dallas Taylor) and was ultimately edited into a song. "Love Story" is an epic Stills composition that pulls you in with a lush, dreamy, moody sound that recalls "To A Flame" (from Stephen's first solo album)--it's somewhat overwrought but still engaging. "To Mama From Christopher And The Old Man" is a country-rock-flavored gem along the lines of "Change Partners" (from "Stephen Stills 2"). "First Things First" is a toe-tappingly irresistible groover that reminds one of those Latin rhythms that the Texas-born Stills' is so fond of. The riffy Neil Young cover "New Mama", the 'just-plain-fun' "Shuffle Just As Bad", the poignant and soulful "In The Way", and the supremely haunting cautionary tale "Cold Cold World" (with incredibly tasty lead guitar work from Stills) are all gems as well.

If you're a fan of that so-called "laidback California sound" of the '70s and aren't that familiar with Stills' solo work, try "Stills" and become an instant fan. "Stills" is an extremely underrated, compulsively listenable album, a must-have for all serious listeners.