These days, it’s hard to imagine just how famous Stephen Stills was in the early ‘70s.

His rise to prominence at this time resulted in a critical backlash that was incredibly unfair, not to mention inaccurate, because to my ears, this is one of the best albums I’ve ever heard, although the critics would not have you think so.

Almost every song here is a classic, and the stylistic variety inspires awe in me regarding his skills as a songwriter, arranger and producer. More than any other, this is the album that accompanied me through my youth and inspired a lifelong love of music. Don’t listen to the critics, but believe your own ears.

Featured songs include

Change Partners

Nothin’ to Do but Today

Fishes and Scorpions

Sugar Babe

Know You Got to Run

Open Secret

Relaxing Town

Singin’ Call

The Ecology Song

Word Game

Marianne

Bluebird Revisited

June 1971 - Billboard Charted #8