Stephen Stills - a closer look

We've talked about this record, so this may be a first (in over a year of blogging) repeat.  For starters, Henry Diltz, of whom I've written about, took the front cover photo.  On the 2nd song on side one, Do for the Others, he plays guitars, percussion, bass, and vocals with no one else credited.  The record is dedicated to James Marshall Hendrix, who plays lead guitar on Old Times Good Times.  The record is/was produced by Andy Johns.  Way too much to write about Andy to fit here - but look the guy up!  Booker T. Jones plays organ on Cherokee.  And Mama Cass Eliott (legend has it she first suggested David and Graham and Stephen sing together) gets a "voices" credit on the last song on side two - We Are Not Helpless.  Rita Coolidge sings on this record too.

CSN: Concert Review - at Ravinia Aug. 22, 2010

I felt privileged to finally get to see this assemblage of rock royalty. Opening was perfect – taking me “back to the garden” (I was not there) with Joni Mitchell's Woodstock (from déjà vu), Bluebird (TBS), and Long Time Coming (director Michael Wadleigh used it for opening scene of Max’s farm being readied for action).  The extended version of Wooden Ships was a highlight.  Stephen went back and forth between his brown Stratocaster and a big white electric hollow body Gretch – his 1958 "White Falcon.”  After the break, their mics were spaced closer together for the acoustic portion, for: Guinnevere, Almost Cut My Hair, Winchester Cathedral, and others - after which David stated the obvious: Graham Nash is the finest harmonizer on the planet. For What it’s Worth (TBS: what's that sound?) and the sing-along Love the One You’re With had a slightly different arrangement. But the five cover songs (Beatles, The Who, Allman Bros., Stones, and Dylan) were three too many, the egregious result was omission of Suite: Judy Blue Eyes. Apparently - they swapped in Chicago based on locale.