Stephen Stills
Live at Shepherd's Bush CD/DVD
(Rhino)

This 14-song CD/DVD package is divided equally between electric and solo acoustic selections from Stills' 2008 performance at the titular UK venue. It's heavy on catalog selections and hits from his early years with three tunes dating back to his short but influential mid-1960s Buffalo Springfield stint.

Stills' now grainy voice isn't what it used to be, but he's in upbeat spirits, chatting up the crowd with somewhat rambling commentary between songs and giving his all to classic material, such as the closing acoustic "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" and an electrified "Love the One You're With," both of which he could play in his sleep. The stripped down band, featuring a veteran rhythm section of bassist Kenny Passarelli and drummer Joe Vitale, kicks into a raucous, swamped up "For What It's Worth," extending it over seven minutes and letting Stills display his always impressive electric guitar skills.

The CD and DVD boast an identical set list but the editing, surround audio and camera work on the DVD are particularly impressive. Clean and miraculously free of the hyperactive MTV-styled editing that ruins many contemporary concert DVDs, it befits Stills' elder statesman status.
—Hal Horowitz