Stephen Stills (1976) Ring of Love - LOST 70s GEMS

Illegal Stills was cool looking album with the appearance of being printed on a bottle of Moonshine, released in the wake of the infamous Stills Young band disaster, this is another folk rock effort full his big gospel ballads/frentic rockers with a distinctly Latin delivery, all drenched in organ and percussion work as if he was trying to mimic the magic of Santana. His work was always raw, eclectic and melodic in the 70s so I can't understand the bad reviews and lack of commercial success, I prefer his solo career to Manassas, which I felt was too misguided amongst the many personnel. Whereas here and on his other solo albums that featured his Manassas band mates like Joe Lala, they were under his command and stylistic vice grip.


Midnight In Paris starts with a really danceable organ and bass riff that goes back on it's self, before going into a ringing piano verse where Guitarist ad future Terry Kath replacement Donnie Dacus sings, just before a really rock chorus and a second verse where Stills sings in French. The harmonies are high and tight and very rockin while the conga is must for Stills' work. The reggae organ, a clearer Hammond and a third more church organ all trade off over the course of the track.

 Closer To You also starts with a beautifully watery organ and glistening guitars and more Donnie Dacus who collaborates again, the immaculate harmonies and clear acoustics are fantastic. No Me Niegas is an example of Stills' embracing his Latin background with a Tango beat full of piano, percussion and a ghostly and out of place synthesizer playing in a very glassy filter in what is a traditional sounding track; full of Cuban percussion, Mariachi singin and Argentine rhytmms. The closer Circlin is another showcase for the harmonies and strong vocals of Dacus which is laughable when this is a solo album for another artist, it reminds me of Leo Sayers work of Roger Daltrey's solo album. Stills' vocals are incandescent and angelic in reverb smoothness while the chorus is upbeat, downhome inflected and syncopated.


Ring of Love is the only real solid tune i the pack that doesn't fade into the background with it' minimalist soul guitar chords full of bluesy twang with Dacus's vocals once again effortlessly entice the listener sounding fresh and clear toned next to Stills' rich but familiar voice. The soaring chorus is excellent if a little lightweight, Stills' lyrics were never that groundbreaking, but Dacus has a nice accent tone.