Stephen Stills - Stephen Stills 2 (CD)

All Music Guide

Flushed with the success of his first solo effort and the continuing adulation from his role in the supergroup CSNY, Stephen Stills must have felt like he could do no wrong, and in many instances, his second solo disc proves him right. The superb "Marianne" and "Change Partners" more than satisfy the listener, while the dark and brooding "Know You Got to Run" and the prophetic "Fishes and Scorpions" are prime examples of his power as a singer and a songwriter. But when he misses the mark, as on "Ecology Song," he misses it by a mile and then some. Besides that cut, "Bluebird Revisited" is pure self-indulgence that someone of his craft and technique should have known better than to include here -- or anywhere. But with compact disc players, one can omit anything offending and concentrate on what's good about 2. Cut the disc in half, and you have a very enjoyable listening experience. As for the rest, well, let's just say you've been warned.

- James Chrispell, All Music Guide