Stills was the leader of CSN. Talented multi instrumentalist. Master of acoustic guitar. Great voice. Totally under rated artist. God bless Steve Stills.
Prince was far better than Clapton. And Jeff Beck ruled them all. Clapton is very over rated. His soloing is redundant, where as Beck & Prince always went into new, creative territory.
Stills short-lived group Manassas created one of the great underrated albums of all-time, the double s/t LP had the most amazing eclectic mix of rock, folk, blues, country, Latin, and bluegrass, with a stellar group of musicians.
And as composer, his amigo Young with "not so good pipes", nor composing and playing as Stephen has gotten better reviews and evaluation along another similar rusty pipes and overrated skills as Elston Gunn has been by "the deciders".... Probably because both are "exotic birds" and Stills is just the local boy, from the South and from the wrong side of the tracks. Truly more genuine, but less presentable to lionize. Off the common folk he is. But never mind the Media, Industry and Markets they control, they also have underrated Joni Mitchell as ok but lesser being and composer, than those two "so above" Stills and her. The experts doing the selecting pickings would have you believe so
Thankfully neither Stephen or Joni allowed it to get or control over what they wanted to do in the Music they understood and crafted like very rare few, and second to none. And pretty much so, didn't stifled neither what Young or Dylan wanted to do too in their own terms, making them believe they were some god above mortals, as it could have happened
I saw Stephen Stills solo live in the late 80's and he was mind blowing! Was lucky enough to catch him twice on CSNY tours in the 2000's. The guy is freakin' phenomenal! ✌💀👍🎸🎵🎶🧠🌌♾
Stills. I've been a fan for decades. So this is Stills in "shred mode" which is very cool. That voice is classic Stills, obviously. As is the drone usage. For me, "Treetop Flyer" is essential Stills. Cheers!
I was very poor back in the day, but I glommed on to Deja Vu, ASAP! Now that I'm older, I'm trying to catch up on what I missed.... & Stephen Stills as a solo artist... Awesome!
@@jennhill8708 Stills did an album named "Right By You" that you might want to try out. It's a little out of the usual Stills playpen but quite the collection of tunes in my opinion.
Excellent once again. Stills is complicated and we love him. There’s a video of CSN&Y with Tom Jones also singing lead. Steve is sitting down playing keyboard and lets out this crazy, impassioned vocal that Tom hears, turns around and smiles as if to say, “Where did THAT come from?” Thanks for giving us this player’s viewpoint of Stills- very good!
Check out the (crappy) video of the live version of "On The Way Home" from the 4-Way Street album (on YT). He's flying on his Martin, and as he continues his solo at the end Young, Crosby & Nash all turn toward him, smiling, and when the song ends you can hear Crosby yell, "far out!" while Young gives a playful tap on the head to call attention from the audience.
Much overlooked in favour of the more flamboyant styles of shredders. Like Clapton and Santana and Steve Howe, instantly recognised styles and sounds. Both Stephen's solo albums, CSNY Deja Vu and 4Way Street plus Manassas gave us some of the best music of the age. Remember Stephen at Woodstock admitting CSNY were scared shirtless playing their first proper gig together and in front of 500,000 people! Today's music(?) consists mainly of tuneless rap, grunge and studio disguised repetitive noise. I know that sound musically pompous, but it's true and these generations are the poorer for it.
Hello Fil from Chicago. We’re stuck at home for the next couple of weeks. Will be able to cattup Wings of Pegasus. Crosby, Stills, &Nash “49 ByeByes” love it
My son (15) just discovered that Stephen Stills had Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton playing on his 1970 album, kids always think that they have found something that their parents missed.
Black Queen from the first album - courtesy of Jose Cuervo Tequila .....probably one of the best acoustic blues performances of all time. His Martin sounds like a piano in places and I feared for its survival after taking such an intense assault! Stills' "Spanish Suite" also worth listening to.....a 1000 times!
My, yes. I certainly agree. I'd recently discovered the recording, and promptly told a friend from New Orleans that few other performances of deep delta blues are as earthy, or refined. A moment of incredible inspiration, with or without the tequila. By all accounts the Martin survived, and is doing well.
Excellent impressive technique. Multitalented artist. Great vocalist, musician and songwriter. I could write paragraphs about Stephen. Huge talent. One of those guys l followed for decades. Thanks Fil! 😎🎼🎶🎵🇨🇦
I believe it was Graham Nash who said he thought Stills was a musical genius, his output late 60s thru 70s was incredible. I've always felt that his solo work was overshadowed by the musical immenseness of CSNY. Keep up the good work Fil!
Love the feel and the guitar work on this. Stephen rocked this out big time. Playing this song on the acoustic guitar takes a lot of focus and talent. Thanks for sharing Fil and stay safe from that virus. Be safe to you and family!!!
Iam lucky enough to first see Stephen in 1967-68 live with Buffalo Springfield! Was blown away then in 1970 with CSN&Y! 2 more times with them once with Manassas and twice solo! He was my favorite in the late 60s and early 70s not just for his guitar playing but also his lyrics and voice! He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice for a reason! Thanks Phil once again!
Saw Stills around 75 in Pittsburgh. He came out with a few guitars, by himself, sat on a chair and played acoustic, solo for 2 hours. This is before the days of, “unplugged.” Still one of the best shows I’ve seen.
NOW I GET IT!. This is the 3rd video. YOU ARE AWESOME. My apologies. I love videos like this and they dissection of great music. I really enjoyed this and I'm looking forward to watching the rest. Keep it up.
I played in bands doing Steven Stills songs FROM Buffalo Springfield / CSN / CSN&Y / Manassas / solo albums ..... because he is a gifted Guitarist, Bassist, other instruments as well and sings well & composes brilliantly ..... a man that made everyone around him better in any studio or stage they played within ! I think he is the best there is. GBjj
He is a huge talent who was known as Captain many hands because of his multi instrumental ability.For me his peak was Blues Man, his first two solo albums and his Stellar material with Manassas.Steven is Such a rare talent
Mike Schrammel Totally agree with you. My brother introduced me to CSN&Y but his favorite album was Manassas. Soon it was mine too. I love Blues Man, too. Also love Helplessly Hoping. Love it all.
Blues Man is a GREAT song, and not that super-hard to play because of the D-A-D-F#-B-D tuning. Of course, that's it not super-hard to play doesn't mean it wasn't HARD to create, lol. But that tuning lets you get a steady rhythm drone going on the 6th and 4th strings while making it a lot easier to play melody lines on the 1st - 3rd strings than in standard tuning. It's so much easier than trying to sound like Merle Travis in EADGBE.
@@ruthjohnson4380 HH was the first song I learned to play fingerstyle, about 40 years ago, lol. In case you haven't already heard it somewhere, it was a love song about his 6th-grade teacher.
Stephen Stills is a bad ass guitarist! From Manassas to now.... crazy talent and voice!! Saw CSN 6 years ago. Flat out amazing!!!!! He is a Master!!!!!!! Great pick!!!! Thanks Fil!!
Wow. So much was going on that I need to watch it again. Thanks for pointing out what Steven was doing to get that full sound. Very helpful, Fil! Great live performance!
Hey Fil - Stills has been a long time comin' (;D). Thanks for getting around to covering him. He's a true original. Take care and stay healthy my friend. These are dangerous times and we need more music to make it through!
Hi Fil...As soon as I heard the name Stills, I immediately thought of Crosby, Nash, and Young! I am sure most people do! I loved them best as a group, but they did manage to go solo with success! Stephen was such a talented musician! Thanks for taking us back to take another listen! Hugs! ✌️
An acquaintance of mine back in the 70's was talking about Stephen Stills (played with him) when he was with Buffalo Springfield. He knew where he wanted to push the group and music even back then. He was always using different styles and wanted to be a frontman.
It is difficult to remember that it's just Steve and his gee tar because he seems like a whole band!!!! Didn't realize this until I heard Fil say the words!! Thank you SO MUCH for this!!!😘😘🤗
Right at the end, when he kind of tosses his guitar up in the air a little, it reminded me of how an American baseball hitter (though it's frowned upon) will flip his bat in the air when he knows he's hit a home run. This was an out of the ball park home run performance and a really great explanation of all the techniques involved in making it one .Yep, I checked the machine heads to see if it was a 12 string! Thanks for the fun.
I don't mind the bat flipping as long as you okay with the fact that you're going to get drilled the next time up. When this happens, just take your base and don't complain. That's baseball.
Oh, thank you for this analysis video, Fil! Stephen Stills is such an under-lauded guitarist in rock guitar circles, but he was an inspiration to me! I still remember listening to that long and beautiful acoustic guitar intro to "Find The Cost of Freedom" back in 1988, when i was 15. Just blew me away! And here's an even more interesting bit. Much later in life i developed this style of picking the strings with my forefinger nail, exactly like Fil observed about Stills in this video. And i developed this technique this on my own because i'd never seem to have picks handy. How bizarre is that?! 🙏🏼
Your explanation of the way people play their guitars is fantastic as you really do know how playing is constructed. I will subscribe and keep watching you
@@wingsofpegasus I watched the Eric Clapton this morning and I agree that whoever decided to retune his voice seems like those people who try and destroy works of art because they don't have the brains they were born with
So glad to find this video, Stills is such and underrated artist. And yes, as some others are saying, Manassas was a great band, those harmonies. Thanks!
.....I'm partial to solo acoustic players/singers as I think that is the finest of arts...No drummer to pay....no bass player to hide behind....no others singers...Takes raw talent to entertain a crowd with your voice and guitar only and this is well done...
What cracks me up is he's playing a Takamine! He had a short-lived endorsement deal with them, which I imagine is the only thing that could pry him from his beloved Martins.
@@donkeninitz4590 I’ve always admired the way SS plays the guitar. He makes these percussion knocks on the body of the guitar. Seems like his guitar takes a beating
Still’s brilliance is often overlooked and unappreciated I think by the great harmonies and phenomenal song writing of all of them. Now, let’s see what you have to say about him.
Thanks for doing this video Fil. I got to see CSN in Portland a couple of years ago. Stephen was just crazy good. I saw a video of him on UA-cam where I swear he was playing 32nd notes, Just absolutely blistering the guitar.
Most people don’t understand how multi talented Stephen is. Very short list of rockers who bring as much to the party. I am grateful to this commenter for recognizing this
His guitar playing is extraordinary... But I have always loved his voice. Since childhood, it has always entranced and enchanted me. Thank you Fil! 🤘🤘🤘🤘💗💗💗💗 Please stay safe and healthy 🙏
I love his version of these two songs on Still Live. Ye olde vinyl version had one side for his acoustic set and one side for his electric set. He's probably my favorite acoustic guitarist next to Billy Strings. Good analysis, Fil!
Thanks for the analysis Fil. That was an amazing performance,such a great musician! I've always loved him and haven't seen him in years! So good to see him again.
@@avlisk I preferred the first one, especially for Go Back Home (w/ Clapton) and Old Times Good Times (w/ Hendrix), but loved SS2 as well. Both, but especially SS2, took some heat from critics, and Stills himself later said, "I had enough material for one really good album, and that's the way I should have gone". As a diehard fan, I don't agree with him (love his soloing on Fishes & Scorpions, and Word Game is a classic protest song), but I can see where the masses might. I always thought it funny that "Marianne", a fairly un-Stills-like song in a way, was a huge radio hit, second only to Love the One You're With, I think.
I've always reckoned Stephen Stills is one of the most underrated guitarists in the pop// music scene I had the privilege of see seeing CSN two decades ago when they toured South Africa , in Cape Town they were persuaded to do two shows instead of one, managed to see the second one. Stephen did a solo for Southern Cross when half way through the song Graham Nash and David Crosby both left the stage leaving Stephen alone to do his solo and for the next 10 to 15 minutes wec were treated to an astounding piece of electric guitar playing I've ever had the privilege of listening to, at times you'd swear that there was more that just one guitarist on stage plus a drummer, absolutely unbelievable. I'm now in my late 70's and that CSN performance I can look back on as one of the high-lights of my life.
Great performance by Stephen Stills. great analysis again, you got to give credit to any single artist or performer who can hold the interest of their audience as stills did here. thanks for this one Fil.
Not much to say about Stephen Stills if you know who he is....one of the greatest musicians in a era he helped create for music. An authentic musician. Just mind-blowing talent. I've been a fan since the 70s myself. Thank God we have live performances from earlier in his career on "Sound Out" too; some amazing performances close up on that one.
Fil you are an inspiration with your good positive words in a concerned time ! So needed! There is a whole lot of people who love you for it, how about 120,000 and more all the time. Thank you, I appreciate you, I learn from you, I am grateful for your kindness and professionalism. I feel I am a better person listening to your God given talent.👏🤗😊
This man is total class Fil! Apart from being an integral part of one greatest bands in history, his solo performances are just incredible! What an amazing musician he is! Sensational Fil! Cheers Mario! 😀🤘👌
I learn so much from you... I watch the video several times . i played his album to practice and get into his guitar head. The one song is a Chicago sounds to it. Than one song sounds like another song. That others refined used the chord progression .. New lyrics a little different... I don't know eho stole what... Thanks professor
My great love for acoustic guitar always favourite over electric guitar and it's good to hear and watch sir Stephen Stills play. As the man said Stephen can play anything unbelievable guitar player. Thank you.
Tks Fil, I keep coming back to this analysis. Can't help myself. Stephen's dedication to his craft is honorable. I personally never understood WHY he was always mid range in the list of guitar players. Mind you, if we are talking about Rolling Stones, then I'm not surprise. I often found them bias. I mean, how many musicians out there can actually play their entire band?! I thought myself "Helplessly Hoping", exactly because of his right hand technique. I will NEVER be able to accomplish it well, but at least I've tried. The sounds that come out of his acoustic guitars "unmatched", as far as I'm concerned. The legacy this man is leaving behind is enormous & he will never totally be given his FULL credit. Sadly. But as he once said; he's playing for the music, not for the notoriety. What I say?... Good for you, Stephen !!! Thank you! Sylvia
Thanks Fil! Been after you to do Stills analysis since I found the channel long ago. His influence on the music of the 70's and 80's must not be underestimated and there's just so much wonderful material to explore! You bring up Buffalo Springfield. You could do years worth analysis just covering that one group and it's various members careers and the way they went on to shape the music of a generation.
I was at that same concert! You can actually hear the exchange on the later versions of the 4-Way Street album, where it was released as bonus material; he is well into the song - when, in response to the laughing - he says, "One thing the blues ain't...is funny". BTW, he recorded the album version after a jam session in the studio with Eric Clapton. He said they had both been drinking Jose Cuervo Gold when Eric decided to stumble home. He kept playing - solo- and left the tape rolling! I was also at a Manassas concert - front row, dead-center - at Merriweather Post Pavillion in Columbia, MD where he was playing a solo acoustic set in the middle of a long (3-hour) concert while the band took a break (Joe Walsh opened). Some drunk guy in the back stood up and yelled, "Stephen Stills, if you don't play some rock and roll you suck!". Stills paused, unperturbed, and said, "hey, why don't you go and listen to some Jethro Tull." The crowd went wild and the people surrounding the guy promptly (and wisely) yanked him back into his seat before he got pummeled.
Deja vú was for sure one of my favorite of all times. Well we have 4 top musicions, singers, composers !! Uau so much talent diversity in one place. Particularly Graham Nash was my favorite - I love his ballads, Our House and Teach your Children; but I also loved Stephan songs - Woodstock, Sweet Judy Blue Eyes, Carry On (I loved this), for exemple. And we know how difficult is to put all those voices together, and they did it in perfection. This album left us all a legacy
The master of E modal. Suite: Judy Blue Eyes! Amazing guitarist. I have been a fan of his and CSN since their start! He is also pretty amazing considering he is partially deaf.
Fil, to say I thoroughly enjoyed your reaction is an understatement! Stephen is one of a kind musician. Can you believe what we were gifted with him, Neil, Graham and David! Seriously! What an extraordinary collection of rock n roll legends! Fun fact... Stephen, even though moved as child, maybe as a baby, but he and Stevie Ray Vaugh were born in the same area of Dallas.... South Oak Cliff. By the way, me too! Lol!
Stephen Stills is top level, as you confirm. I highly recommend his solo album (with the giraffe in the snow) over what is chosen here: love the one you're with, do for others, we are not helpless, Cherokee, church, old times good times, go back home, sit yourself down, to a flame, black queen ... An all time best, every song is gold. The album is a GOAT. I really love Stephen, Hendrix, and Clapton. They pretty much define the late 60s + early 70s, outside of the Beatles.
I began playing guitar around 1971, and Stephen was one of the three guitarists that inspired me to take up the instrument (Clapton and Santana were the other two). He's underrated today, but he wasn't back then. Playboy Magazine used to do an annual music poll (I only "read" the magazine for the articles!) and Stills regularly finished in the top 5 in a half-dozen categories, including "best rock guitarist". I have an old (really old) issue of Guitar Player magazine where he talked about what made him go pick-less; he said, "I found that whenever I tried to pluck one of those little 3 or 4 note chords the pick would hang me up, so I just started forming my thumb and index finger into the shape of a pick. It's only a challenge when I play fast, but I'll work that out." Needless to say, he did work it out. I've seen him live in various solo and band permutations over 30 times, and he does occasionally grab a Herco .75 silver nylon pick (Neil Young uses .50 gold Herco's) for certain phrases/songs, but he typically tosses it after a couple of bars. I love using his D-A-D-F#-B-D tuning for country blues-style stuff (like "Bluesman" from the first Manassas album).
GREAT ONE FIL , DOWN HERE IN LA ,,, LOWER ALABAMA , WE CALL THAT CROSSBREED PICKING , DONT KNOW WHAT THE WORD YALL USE FOR IT , LOTTA OF BLUES PLAYER , AND BLUEGRASSS PICKERS USE IT GREAT ANALYSES, ALWAYS LEARNIG , THANKS
Brilliant, Fil. Funny, though, I can't really remember Stills coming up, in conversations with other musicians, as a guitarist. As a writer, singer, performer, yes! Highly respected! No talk of the incredible guitar work. I know you've pointed it out in other vids, but doing this one, to specifically showcase his string skills, is much appreciated. Thank you, very much, sir!
Now I can comment; my 2 cents here. Always loved Stephen Stills; he grew up in S. Tampa and went to Plant High School down the street (my son went there). I believe his father was stationed at MacDill AFB. Just some fyi’s.
Stills was the leader of CSN.
Talented multi instrumentalist.
Master of acoustic guitar.
Great voice. Totally under rated artist. God bless Steve Stills.
Michael Hedges, once said, "To those who say 'Clapton is God', you've never seen Stephen Stills play acoustic guitar".
True, Hedges attributed Stills as an influence in another quote. Saw them play "Gimme Shelter" together live.
I love that quote! and it's so true. Stills has one of THE best right hand techniques ever. Taught me to lose the pick! It's ALL in the right hand.
First time hearing Stills. Playing acoustic. Oh yeah!
Yeah. Then in a tv interview, eric clapton was asked if he considers himself God,, he said " we' ll have to ask PRINCE "
Prince was far better than Clapton. And Jeff Beck ruled them all. Clapton is very over rated. His soloing is redundant, where as Beck & Prince always went into new, creative territory.
Stills short-lived group Manassas created one of the great underrated albums of all-time, the double s/t LP had the most amazing eclectic mix of rock, folk, blues, country, Latin, and bluegrass, with a stellar group of musicians.
Funny, I was just listening to " And So Begins the Task" from Manassas this morning! What a lovely song.
@@lynndow3185 It's got great Saturday morning vibes, imo.
Yep, I wore out my first copy of Manassas.
Yup! Stills has become overlooked.
Agree, ended up with the album when i forgot to send my record club card back, best mistake I ever made!!! Totally agree.
Stills is in my opinion the most underrated guitarist of his generation.
Rod Jones yup that’s how I describe him to younger generations
Certainly one of them!
And as composer, his amigo Young with "not so good pipes", nor composing and playing as Stephen has gotten better reviews and evaluation along another similar rusty pipes and overrated skills as Elston Gunn has been by "the deciders"....
Probably because both are "exotic birds" and Stills is just the local boy, from the South and from the wrong side of the tracks. Truly more genuine, but less presentable to lionize. Off the common folk he is.
But never mind the Media, Industry and Markets they control, they also have underrated Joni Mitchell as ok but lesser being and composer, than those two "so above" Stills and her. The experts doing the selecting pickings would have you believe so
Thankfully neither Stephen or Joni allowed it to get or control over what they wanted to do in the Music they understood and crafted like very rare few, and second to none.
And pretty much so, didn't stifled neither what Young or Dylan wanted to do too in their own terms, making them believe they were some god above mortals, as it could have happened
Underrated guitarist, singer and songwriter. Agree.
I saw Stephen Stills solo live in the late 80's and he was mind blowing!
Was lucky enough to catch him twice on CSNY tours in the 2000's.
The guy is freakin' phenomenal!
✌💀👍🎸🎵🎶🧠🌌♾
Stills. I've been a fan for decades. So this is Stills in "shred mode" which is very cool. That voice is classic Stills, obviously. As is the drone usage. For me, "Treetop Flyer" is essential Stills. Cheers!
Michael Ogden I just made a comment about treetop flyer awesome 😎
I find Treetop Flyer to be one of his most self-revealing songs... He delighted in being a bad boy & that bad boy looks out every now & then!
I was very poor back in the day, but I glommed on to Deja Vu, ASAP! Now that I'm older, I'm trying to catch up on what I missed.... & Stephen Stills as a solo artist... Awesome!
@@jennhill8708 Stills did an album named "Right By You" that you might want to try out. It's a little out of the usual Stills playpen but quite the collection of tunes in my opinion.
Excellent once again. Stills is complicated and we love him. There’s a video of CSN&Y with Tom Jones also singing lead. Steve is sitting down playing keyboard and lets out this crazy, impassioned vocal that Tom hears, turns around and smiles as if to say, “Where did THAT come from?” Thanks for giving us this player’s viewpoint of Stills- very good!
Check out the (crappy) video of the live version of "On The Way Home" from the 4-Way Street album (on YT). He's flying on his Martin, and as he continues his solo at the end Young, Crosby & Nash all turn toward him, smiling, and when the song ends you can hear Crosby yell, "far out!" while Young gives a playful tap on the head to call attention from the audience.
He is so fantastic. Remember when he did Bluebird with Buffalo Springfield? Classic song and guitar work!
JoPa GeRi I love it still! You never hear any stuff like that today.
And what a great tune
"D-d-do you remember... when you were in the Beatles?"
@@delphinbringsby6768 no I don’t because I was in a van down by the river.
Much overlooked in favour of the more flamboyant styles of shredders. Like Clapton and Santana and Steve Howe, instantly recognised styles and sounds. Both Stephen's solo albums, CSNY Deja Vu and 4Way Street plus Manassas gave us some of the best music of the age. Remember Stephen at Woodstock admitting CSNY were scared shirtless playing their first proper gig together and in front of 500,000 people! Today's music(?) consists mainly of tuneless rap, grunge and studio disguised repetitive noise. I know that sound musically pompous, but it's true and these generations are the poorer for it.
I have loved this man since Buffalo Springfield and still do. He is not noticed enough for me. Love your channel.
Hello Fil from Chicago. We’re stuck at home for the next couple of weeks. Will be able to cattup Wings of Pegasus. Crosby, Stills, &Nash “49 ByeByes” love it
My son (15) just discovered that Stephen Stills had Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton playing on his 1970 album, kids always think that they have found something that their parents missed.
😂 That's so true. On the other hand you can get really lucky and your kid intoduces you to someone new who you'd never have listened to otherwise.
Allen Artis the only album where they played on the same album.
Anybody know where the album cover for SS1 was shot? Think Gold Hill Music.
Hee-hee. Good one.
Black Queen from the first album - courtesy of Jose Cuervo Tequila .....probably one of the best acoustic blues performances of all time. His Martin sounds like a piano in places and I feared for its survival after taking such an intense assault! Stills' "Spanish Suite" also worth listening to.....a 1000 times!
My, yes. I certainly agree. I'd recently discovered the recording, and promptly told a friend from New Orleans that few other performances of deep delta blues are as earthy, or refined. A moment of incredible inspiration, with or without the tequila. By all accounts the Martin survived, and is doing well.
Testament to the loving care,quality of wood & process which that Martin he's playing IN THE SNOW!!!was made
Absolutely my favorite Stills tune from his first solo album. Black Queen still gives me the shivers!
STILLS, a master of acoustic guitar folk..rock..blues,,country...wayyyy underrated......
Stephen Stills. More pleeease. Thank you Fil!
Stephen Stills is a musical beast. Often overlooked on the best guitarists lists but generally regarded as one of the best by the best. Great vid Fil!
Excellent impressive technique. Multitalented artist. Great vocalist, musician and songwriter. I could write paragraphs about Stephen. Huge talent. One of those guys l followed for decades. Thanks Fil! 😎🎼🎶🎵🇨🇦
Thanks, Fil. I love Stephen Stills.
I believe it was Graham Nash who said he thought Stills was a musical genius, his output late 60s thru 70s was incredible. I've always felt that his solo work was overshadowed by the musical immenseness of CSNY. Keep up the good work Fil!
Hi Fil !!!!
Whenever I hear his name I'm automatically transported back in the Wayback machine to Buffalo Springfield "For What It's Worth."
Wow!
Bloody Hell!
Always been a huge CSN&Y fan, but not seen this. Thanx!
Love the feel and the guitar work on this. Stephen rocked this out big time. Playing this song on the acoustic guitar takes a lot of focus and talent. Thanks for sharing Fil and stay safe from that virus. Be safe to you and family!!!
Iam lucky enough to first see Stephen in 1967-68 live with Buffalo Springfield! Was blown away then in 1970 with CSN&Y! 2 more times with them once with Manassas and twice solo! He was my favorite in the late 60s and early 70s not just for his guitar playing but also his lyrics and voice! He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice for a reason! Thanks Phil once again!
Four and Twenty was my favorite Stills song. Great voice, great guitar player. IMHO the backbone of both CSN & CSNY. Thanks Fil 👍
Saw Stills around 75 in Pittsburgh. He came out with a few guitars, by himself, sat on a chair and played acoustic, solo for 2 hours. This is before the days of, “unplugged.” Still one of the best shows I’ve seen.
Brilliant evaluation Fil! As always 🤘🤘🤘
Great as always Fil!
I had never seen this...just blown away! What an amazing talent!
That was a perfect analysis to a great performance, thanks for the insight
I just realized that everybody here opened this video because we all love Stephen. Great analysis by the way!
He is a musical genius
Thanks for putting this up!
NOW I GET IT!. This is the 3rd video. YOU ARE AWESOME.
My apologies. I love videos like this and they dissection of great music. I really enjoyed this and I'm looking forward to watching the rest.
Keep it up.
Watching your facial reactions is a lesson in and of itself, Fill! Thank you so much! Stills is a musical genius, no doubt about it!
I played in bands doing Steven Stills songs FROM Buffalo Springfield / CSN / CSN&Y / Manassas / solo albums ..... because he is a gifted Guitarist, Bassist, other instruments as well and sings well & composes brilliantly ..... a man that made everyone around him better in any studio or stage they played within ! I think he is the best there is. GBjj
This man has written some of the most beautiful and melodic lead guitar parts I've heard. Not long, but sweet as sugar. E.g., Just a Song Before I Go.
excellent and deep analysis as usual.
He is a huge talent who was known as Captain many hands because of his multi instrumental ability.For me his peak was Blues Man, his first two solo albums and his Stellar material with Manassas.Steven is Such a rare talent
Mike Schrammel Totally agree with you. My brother introduced me to CSN&Y but his favorite album was Manassas. Soon it was mine too. I love Blues Man, too. Also love Helplessly Hoping. Love it all.
Blues Man is a GREAT song, and not that super-hard to play because of the D-A-D-F#-B-D tuning. Of course, that's it not super-hard to play doesn't mean it wasn't HARD to create, lol. But that tuning lets you get a steady rhythm drone going on the 6th and 4th strings while making it a lot easier to play melody lines on the 1st - 3rd strings than in standard tuning. It's so much easier than trying to sound like Merle Travis in EADGBE.
@@ruthjohnson4380 HH was the first song I learned to play fingerstyle, about 40 years ago, lol. In case you haven't already heard it somewhere, it was a love song about his 6th-grade teacher.
Stephen Stills is a bad ass guitarist! From Manassas to now.... crazy talent and voice!! Saw CSN 6 years ago. Flat out amazing!!!!! He is a Master!!!!!!! Great pick!!!! Thanks Fil!!
Wow. So much was going on that I need to watch it again. Thanks for pointing out what Steven was doing to get that full sound. Very helpful, Fil! Great live performance!
Brilliant what a great performer!!!!!
Hey Fil - Stills has been a long time comin' (;D). Thanks for getting around to covering him. He's a true original. Take care and stay healthy my friend. These are dangerous times and we need more music to make it through!
Hi Fil...As soon as I heard the name Stills, I immediately thought of Crosby, Nash, and Young! I am sure most people do! I loved them best as a group, but they did manage to go solo with success! Stephen was such a talented musician! Thanks for taking us back to take another listen! Hugs! ✌️
An acquaintance of mine back in the 70's was talking about Stephen Stills (played with him) when he was with Buffalo Springfield. He knew where he wanted to push the group and music even back then. He was always using different styles and wanted to be a frontman.
I have always loved Stills and his playing. Thanks for this excellent analysis, Fil.
Love it so sweet thank you Steven for the lesson
Love, love, love Steve Stills!!!!!!!!!
It is difficult to remember that it's just Steve and his gee tar because he seems like a whole band!!!! Didn't realize this until I heard Fil say the words!! Thank you SO MUCH for this!!!😘😘🤗
Right at the end, when he kind of tosses his guitar up in the air a little, it reminded me of how an American baseball hitter (though it's frowned upon) will flip his bat in the air when he knows he's hit a home run. This was an out of the ball park home run performance and a really great explanation of all the techniques involved in making it one .Yep, I checked the machine heads to see if it was a 12 string! Thanks for the fun.
We opposing baseball fans hate it ...when a visiting player does that from another team..Baseball coming soon
Oh, yeah...it's super-grating. I HOPE baseball coming soon! Spring training in AZ has been suspended and opening day postponed. *sigh*
It should have been a 12 string and then he could change his name to Stevie Ray Vaughn!
I don't mind the bat flipping as long as you okay with the fact that you're going to get drilled the next time up. When this happens, just take your base and don't complain. That's baseball.
and I can hardly wait for it to come back, no matter what!
Oh, thank you for this analysis video, Fil!
Stephen Stills is such an under-lauded guitarist in rock guitar circles, but he was an inspiration to me!
I still remember listening to that long and beautiful acoustic guitar intro to "Find The Cost of Freedom" back in 1988, when i was 15. Just blew me away!
And here's an even more interesting bit. Much later in life i developed this style of picking the strings with my forefinger nail, exactly like Fil observed about Stills in this video. And i developed this technique this on my own because i'd never seem to have picks handy. How bizarre is that?!
🙏🏼
Our legendary Music Professor analysing a legendary musician. What better way to self-quarantine. Stephen? What's not to like? Just amazing.
I saw CSN in 1989. Steven Stills is an awesome guitarist! The sounds he can get out of a guitar are incredible!
Your explanation of the way people play their guitars is fantastic as you really do know how playing is constructed. I will subscribe and keep watching you
Thanks,!
@@wingsofpegasus I watched the Eric Clapton this morning and I agree that whoever decided to retune his voice seems like those people who try and destroy works of art because they don't have the brains they were born with
So glad to find this video, Stills is such and underrated artist. And yes, as some others are saying, Manassas was a great band, those harmonies. Thanks!
.....I'm partial to solo acoustic players/singers as I think that is the finest of arts...No drummer to pay....no bass player to hide behind....no others singers...Takes raw talent to entertain a crowd with your voice and guitar only and this is well done...
Always love to see Stephen play. Thanks Fil!
This is how you make a guitar sound like this with no digital magic it’s simply artist and guitar with only a pickup
What cracks me up is he's playing a Takamine! He had a short-lived endorsement deal with them, which I imagine is the only thing that could pry him from his beloved Martins.
@@donkeninitz4590 I’ve always admired the way SS plays the guitar. He makes these percussion knocks on the body of the guitar. Seems like his guitar takes a beating
Still’s brilliance is often overlooked and unappreciated I think by the great harmonies and phenomenal song writing of all of them. Now, let’s see what you have to say about him.
Thanks for doing this video Fil. I got to see CSN in Portland a couple of years ago. Stephen was just crazy good. I saw a video of him on UA-cam where I swear he was playing 32nd notes, Just absolutely blistering the guitar.
Stills' mark upon the bands he has headed, or done sessions for is singular , pure, unmistakable with anyone else in popular music.
Love Stephen Stills and his guitar 🎸 playing. Wow! Wanna Dance...
Great explanation, Stills is the man The Boss !
Loved the video, both SS playing and the analysis.
Most people don’t understand how multi talented Stephen is. Very short list of rockers who bring as much to the party. I am grateful to this commenter for recognizing this
Thanks for keeping up with these, Fil. I'm in Gainesville, Florida, enjoying your analyses from across the pond.
I love S. Stills. Thanks fil, as always a great job. Love you too! Keep up the great videos.
Thanks!
His guitar playing is extraordinary... But I have always loved his voice. Since childhood, it has always entranced and enchanted me. Thank you Fil! 🤘🤘🤘🤘💗💗💗💗 Please stay safe and healthy 🙏
I've always enjoyed Stephen Stills. I liked both of the Manassas albums, and his solo work.
I love his version of these two songs on Still Live. Ye olde vinyl version had one side for his acoustic set and one side for his electric set. He's probably my favorite acoustic guitarist next to Billy Strings. Good analysis, Fil!
Thanks for the analysis Fil. That was an amazing performance,such a great musician! I've always loved him and haven't seen him in years! So good to see him again.
“Stephen Stills 2”, one of my all-time fav albums 👍🏻
YES!!!!!!
@@avlisk I preferred the first one, especially for Go Back Home (w/ Clapton) and Old Times Good Times (w/ Hendrix), but loved SS2 as well. Both, but especially SS2, took some heat from critics, and Stills himself later said, "I had enough material for one really good album, and that's the way I should have gone". As a diehard fan, I don't agree with him (love his soloing on Fishes & Scorpions, and Word Game is a classic protest song), but I can see where the masses might. I always thought it funny that "Marianne", a fairly un-Stills-like song in a way, was a huge radio hit, second only to Love the One You're With, I think.
I've always reckoned Stephen Stills is one of the most underrated guitarists in the pop// music scene I had the privilege of see seeing CSN two decades ago when they toured South Africa , in Cape Town they were persuaded to do two shows instead of one, managed to see the second one. Stephen did a solo for Southern Cross when half way through the song Graham Nash and David Crosby both left the stage leaving Stephen alone to do his solo and for the next 10 to 15 minutes wec were treated to an astounding piece of electric guitar playing I've ever had the privilege of listening to, at times you'd swear that there was more that just one guitarist on stage plus a drummer, absolutely unbelievable. I'm now in my late 70's and that CSN performance I can look back on as one of the high-lights of my life.
Great performance by Stephen Stills. great analysis again, you got to give credit to any single artist or performer who can hold the interest of their audience as stills did here. thanks for this one Fil.
Not much to say about Stephen Stills if you know who he is....one of the greatest musicians in a era he helped create for music. An authentic musician. Just mind-blowing talent. I've been a fan since the 70s myself. Thank God we have live performances from earlier in his career on "Sound Out" too; some amazing performances close up on that one.
Fil you are an inspiration with your good positive words in a concerned time ! So needed! There is a whole lot of people who love you for it, how about 120,000 and more all the time. Thank you, I appreciate you, I learn from you, I am grateful for your kindness and professionalism. I feel I am a better person listening to your God given talent.👏🤗😊
This man is total class Fil! Apart from being an integral part of one greatest bands in history, his solo performances are just incredible! What an amazing musician he is! Sensational Fil! Cheers Mario! 😀🤘👌
I love his electric guitar tone [ low treble ],acoustic guitar,singing,songwriting.One of my favorite musicians.Cool post
Actually rolls treble off
Stephen, has always been awsome ! I highly recommend Man Alive.
This voice, this man, this...just love everything about this! Cool!♥️ and ure way u explain the performance, Fil, makes this so much better 👊🏻 rock on
I was a kid and I met Stephen (stills)… he had a grocery store just across from Boulder HS (Colorado)…. coolest guy I ever met.... :)
I absolutely love it... Mr Still's...
Given thunder fingers a new name ... I need more work... Thanks professor...
ROCK ON
I learn so much from you... I watch the video several times . i played his album to practice and get into his guitar head. The one song is a Chicago sounds to it.
Than one song sounds like another song. That others refined used the chord progression .. New lyrics a little different... I don't know eho stole what... Thanks professor
My great love for acoustic guitar always favourite over electric guitar and it's good to hear and watch sir Stephen Stills play. As the man said Stephen can play anything unbelievable guitar player. Thank you.
Stills played in a variety of tunings. Each one requires very different orientation to chords and scales. Very impressive.
Wow. Just wonderful
Tks Fil, I keep coming back to this analysis. Can't help myself. Stephen's dedication to his craft is honorable.
I personally never understood WHY he was always mid range in the list of guitar players. Mind you, if we are talking about Rolling Stones, then I'm not surprise. I often found them bias. I mean, how many musicians out there can actually play their entire band?!
I thought myself "Helplessly Hoping", exactly because of his right hand technique. I will NEVER be able to accomplish it well, but at least I've tried.
The sounds that come out of his acoustic guitars "unmatched", as far as I'm concerned.
The legacy this man is leaving behind is enormous & he will never totally be given his FULL credit. Sadly. But as he once said; he's playing for the music, not for the notoriety. What I say?... Good for you, Stephen !!! Thank you! Sylvia
Thanks Fil! Been after you to do Stills analysis since I found the channel long ago. His influence on the music of the 70's and 80's must not be underestimated and there's just so much wonderful material to explore! You bring up Buffalo Springfield. You could do years worth analysis just covering that one group and it's various members careers and the way they went on to shape the music of a generation.
All over that box guitar..sounds good......thanks Fil
When I saw Stephen still "Black Queen" live and someone in the audience was laughing he stoped and said "the blues is anything but funny"
I was at that same concert! You can actually hear the exchange on the later versions of the 4-Way Street album, where it was released as bonus material; he is well into the song - when, in response to the laughing - he says, "One thing the blues ain't...is funny". BTW, he recorded the album version after a jam session in the studio with Eric Clapton. He said they had both been drinking Jose Cuervo Gold when Eric decided to stumble home. He kept playing - solo- and left the tape rolling!
I was also at a Manassas concert - front row, dead-center - at Merriweather Post Pavillion in Columbia, MD where he was playing a solo acoustic set in the middle of a long (3-hour) concert while the band took a break (Joe Walsh opened). Some drunk guy in the back stood up and yelled, "Stephen Stills, if you don't play some rock and roll you suck!". Stills paused, unperturbed, and said, "hey, why don't you go and listen to some Jethro Tull." The crowd went wild and the people surrounding the guy promptly (and wisely) yanked him back into his seat before he got pummeled.
Deja vú was for sure one of my favorite of all times. Well we have 4 top musicions, singers, composers !! Uau so much talent diversity in one place. Particularly Graham Nash was my favorite - I love his ballads, Our House and Teach your Children; but I also loved Stephan songs - Woodstock, Sweet Judy Blue Eyes, Carry On (I loved this), for exemple.
And we know how difficult is to put all those voices together, and they did it in perfection. This album left us all a legacy
Amen
Manasas really got me into his playing,and remember he was friends with jimi hendrix,....
I know you addressed jimi and eric played with him,i responded to early.before i heard your whole show,. I love his playing ,great show
The master of E modal. Suite: Judy Blue Eyes! Amazing guitarist. I have been a fan of his and CSN since their start! He is also pretty amazing considering he is partially deaf.
What great analysis!!!
For me one of the greatest guitarist to come out of America his style was so unique check out suite Judy blue eyes
Fil, to say I thoroughly enjoyed your reaction is an understatement! Stephen is one of a kind musician. Can you believe what we were gifted with him, Neil, Graham and David! Seriously! What an extraordinary collection of rock n roll legends! Fun fact... Stephen, even though moved as child, maybe as a baby, but he and Stevie Ray Vaugh were born in the same area of Dallas.... South Oak Cliff. By the way, me too! Lol!
Stephen Stills is top level, as you confirm. I highly recommend his solo album (with the giraffe in the snow) over what is chosen here: love the one you're with, do for others, we are not helpless, Cherokee, church, old times good times, go back home, sit yourself down, to a flame, black queen ... An all time best, every song is gold. The album is a GOAT.
I really love Stephen, Hendrix, and Clapton. They pretty much define the late 60s + early 70s, outside of the Beatles.
LOVE the new look of the show Fil!
Thanks!
Great Fil, thanks a super job!!!!
I began playing guitar around 1971, and Stephen was one of the three guitarists that inspired me to take up the instrument (Clapton and Santana were the other two). He's underrated today, but he wasn't back then. Playboy Magazine used to do an annual music poll (I only "read" the magazine for the articles!) and Stills regularly finished in the top 5 in a half-dozen categories, including "best rock guitarist". I have an old (really old) issue of Guitar Player magazine where he talked about what made him go pick-less; he said, "I found that whenever I tried to pluck one of those little 3 or 4 note chords the pick would hang me up, so I just started forming my thumb and index finger into the shape of a pick. It's only a challenge when I play fast, but I'll work that out." Needless to say, he did work it out. I've seen him live in various solo and band permutations over 30 times, and he does occasionally grab a Herco .75 silver nylon pick (Neil Young uses .50 gold Herco's) for certain phrases/songs, but he typically tosses it after a couple of bars. I love using his D-A-D-F#-B-D tuning for country blues-style stuff (like "Bluesman" from the first Manassas album).
Hello from New Hampshire Fil 👋.
GREAT ONE FIL , DOWN HERE IN LA ,,, LOWER ALABAMA , WE CALL THAT CROSSBREED PICKING , DONT KNOW WHAT THE WORD YALL USE FOR IT , LOTTA OF BLUES PLAYER , AND BLUEGRASSS PICKERS USE IT GREAT ANALYSES, ALWAYS LEARNIG , THANKS
Brilliant, Fil. Funny, though, I can't really remember Stills coming up, in conversations with other musicians, as a guitarist. As a writer, singer, performer, yes! Highly respected! No talk of the incredible guitar work. I know you've pointed it out in other vids, but doing this one, to specifically showcase his string skills, is much appreciated. Thank you, very much, sir!
How anyone could miss his great guitar work over the last 50 years is beyond me
@@josephperreault7047 Obviously you have never seen him perform live, like most guitarists you can't judge them entirely by their studio output.
Now I can comment; my 2 cents here. Always loved Stephen Stills; he grew up in S. Tampa and went to Plant High School down the street (my son went there). I believe his father was stationed at MacDill AFB. Just some fyi’s.