Stills chip off old block

CD REVIEW

By Aaron Davis, Special to the On-line Forty-Niner

March 5,1998

"This is my dream," Chris Stills says of his debut release, "100 Year Thing."

It must have been a pretty good dream to result in a blues project of such high quality. Stills carries on the family history with a fresh approach to the blues.

The influence of his father (legendary singer, songwriter and guitarist Stephen Stills) and his father's band (Crosby, Stills and Nash) comes through in many of his songs.

"If I Were a Mountain," one of the slower, more melodic tracks, especially recalls Stills' family ties.

However, this is not the best song on the album. That honor belongs to "Rattlesnakes," a short, heavy jam that captures the anxiety of a lost young man.

Another notable cut, "Doors to the World," is a display of excellent songwriting and the least bluesy track on "100 Year Thing." It calls to mind Robert Plant's "Honeydrippers" with its shy rhythm section and love-song lyrics.

It is unfortunate that much of the rest proves to be formula blues, failing to separate itself from a long list of blues wannabes. The album's full potential is not reached, particularly toward the end when the quality largely fades.

It wouldn't hurt to leave off the countdowns that open many of the songs. That little trick should have died years ago.

Did Stills get to make this album on account of his name?

Probably not. It contains quality material, but leaves plenty of room for growth.

Anyone who loves CSN, Neil Young or Izzy Stradlin and the JuJu Hounds should enjoy this album.

On the other hand, if the same old blues stylings feel uninspired, then "100 Year Thing" probably will, too.