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Stephen Stills Live at Berkeley 1971 Album Due, With Guest David Crosby

by Best Classic Bands Staff

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A previously unissued live 1971 concert from Stephen Stills’ first U.S. solo tour, including two guest appearances by David Crosby, is being released this spring. Stephen Stills Live at Berkeley 1971 arrives on April 28, 2023, via Omnivore Recordings, on CD and as a 2-LP set. The album captures a performance of Stills’ biggest solo hit, “Love the One You’re With,” which was the lead single from his debut self-titled 1970 studio album. Listen to it below, along with his seamless medley of “49 Bye-Byes” (from the Crosby, Stills & Nash album) with his iconic “For What It’s Worth.”

The outstanding live album draws from a pair of concerts held at the Berkeley Community Theater on Aug. 20-21, 1971 as Stills embarked on his tour, opening each show with an intimate acoustic first set, and closing each night with a riveting electric set featuring the Memphis Horns. Crosby joins him on vocals and guitar for “You Don’t Have To Cry” and “The Lee Shore.” Days earlier, Stills had headlined the Forum in Los Angeles. He had released his second solo album in late June.

From the February announcement: These recordings find Stills at peak performance in both vocal delivery and musicianship, effortlessly incorporating alternate instrumentation on his instantly recognizable tracks, including the medley of “49 Bye Byes” (from the Crosby, Stills & Nash album) and “For What It’s Worth” (from Buffalo Springfield) unexpectedly played on piano.

Hand-picked by Stills from his personal archives, this album captures timeless and era defining performances. Fans who were lucky enough to catch his historic debut trek, dubbed “The Memphis Horns Tour,” were treated to the balladeer, the raving troubadour, the acoustic bluesman, the soul driver, and by far the most passionate music maker. Backed by a loyal cast of friends, including his usual steady rhythm section–drummer Dallas Taylor and bassist Calvin “Fuzzy” Samuels–along with keyboardist Paul Harris, guitarist Steve Fromholz, and percussionist Joe Lala, these Northern California shows were one of the most unique and intimate stops on the tour.

Stephen Stills Live at Berkeley 1971 Tracklist

Love The One You’re With
Do For The Others
Jesus Gave Love Away For Free
You Don’t Have To Cry (with David Crosby)
The Lee Shore (with David Crosby)
Word Games
Sugar Babe
49 Bye-Byes/For What It’s Worth
Black Queen
Know You’ve Got To Run
Bluebird Revisited
Lean On Me
Cherokee
Band Introduction
Ecology Song