HEY, CHILDREN, WHAT’S THAT SOUND?

Five great Stephen Stills songs that aren’t “For What It’s Worth” or “Love The One You’re With”…

BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD “BLUEBIRD” BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD, 1973

Originally released at half the length on Buffalo Springfield Again, this nine-minute take was a spectacular indicator of where Stills was headed. The Springfield are in jam band mode, looping around Stills’ acoustic fingerpicking and Young’s electric solos.

CROSBY, STILLS & NASH “SUITE: JUDY BLUE EYES” CROSBY, STILLS & NASH, 1969

Opening CSN’S debut, this not only introduced the group’s three-part harmonies, it also established Stills as a fiercely precocious talent. Written for Stills soon-to-be ex-flame Judy Collins, its multiple sections unfold across seven minutes of life-affirming joy.

STEPHEN STILLS “BLACK QUEEN” STEPHEN STILLS

Although Hendrix only appeared on one song on Stills’ debut – “Old Times Good Times” – you could imagine him approving of this riotous blues workout. “Hendrix was into blues,” says Samuel. “But they all knew the blues wasn’t going to make you hits.”

CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG “CARRY ON” DÉJÀ VU

Written in ‘Bruce Palmer modal tuning’ – adapted from his former Springfield bandmate, where nearly every string is tuned to E – this draws on Springfield’s “Questions”, with a free-form jam with Taylor added as a coda.

STEPHEN STILLS “CHANGE PARTNERS” STEPHEN STILLS II

This yarn about society ball etiquette – although it could also, perhaps, be about Graham Nash stealing his girlfriend – is delivered as baroque folk and enhanced by beautiful pedal steel from Jerry Garcia. One of the keepers from Stills’ second solo album.