Thoroughfare Gap

Stills' long history of stylistic experimentation continues here. The man who had "classic rock" hits also did Soul, Bluegrass, Latin, Blues, and also Disco-esque dance music and highly-keyboard informed pop songs with early drum machines in-tow. Considering this history, and the 1979 album release date, that there are some late 70s touches should surprise no one who has followed Still's career. While Stills might not have been a trend-setter and bellweather of the best and most current in music since the late-60s and early 70s, Thoroughfare Gap shows he never had his finger far from the pulse and trends in the music at the time the music was created. Also consider that most of his contemporaries also had difficulties navigating the late 70s. Thoroughfare Gap deserves more credit than it's given.

I know some people won't like the album because it ventures into the elements of disco. But I think Stephen Stills was experimenting on this album. Overall, the album is solid and shows Stills' versatility as a musician.

How does a man go from writing "For What It's Worth", "Find The Cost Of Freedom", and "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" to....."Can't Get No Booty"??? This isn't worth the Internet bandwidth to stream the 30-second samples. Avoid the album, download "Thoroughfare Gap" the title song and you will have all you need from this horrific embarassment.

The nadir of a great career, Thoroughfare Gap has some redeeming features: the title track, a folk song freak on a discofied platter; Woman Lleva with a great latin groove and a simple lover's plea; We Will Go On is my favorite of the disco beat; the great disco sendoff, Dan Kortchmar and Stephen's Can't Get No Booty with fun tongue in cheek lyrics; and I like this Not Fade Away with a great descending guitar riff - raw and so Crazy Horse like with a Stephen beat. Don't start here if you are just discovering Stephen Stills, but, if you are like me and haven't seen this in the digital age yet, it's time to get re-aquainted.