I'm a great admirer of Crosby's lyrics, voice and melodies. And Stills is pretty cool too. I'd rather listen to the fantastic harmonies of CSN (that Nash seems to contribute to predominantly) than Neil Young singing on his own. But, in terms of sheer prolific talent, I do think that Neil Young outweighs CSN combined. There's something in Young's voice that is almost commanding. It's as if he's requiring us to listen to his voice and his words.

Quoted from GreenApple

There's something in Young's voice that is almost commanding. It's as if he's requiring us to listen to his voice and his words.

Very well put! I find Neil's songs extremely accessible and compelling; he was my hero when I was a young teen, and I followed him faithfully for many years. Stills is a fantastic guitarist--well, they all are, but Nash and Crosby seem a little more abstract in their lyrics (and definitely those wild tunings). I think they were tremendous together. CSNY rules. But of the four solo, I like Young best. Cheers.

Neil Young is maybe the best single-package rock-and-roller of all-time (singer/songwriter/musician).

Stills peaked in about 1970 and never seemed to meet his potential.

Crosby--great harmony voice, decent songwriter but capable of cringe-worthy stuff like "Almost Cut My Hair" and that horrible garden song on Byrds' Younger than Yesterday.  

Nash--good harmony voice, good "pop" songwriter, but I agree with Harihead, he and Crosby tend to deal in abstractions.  

Nash was least capable of writing meaningful lyrics, but wrote them and sang them as if they were supposed to be deeply meaningful. Some exceptions though with fine lyrics.

I have Stephen Stills self titled album and 'Illegal Stills' and I like them both a lot, but its obvious Neil Young has the solo market cornered.

Neil is Great, period!!!!!!!

A tough one ..CROSBY STILLS AND NASH  - C,S N. is one of my alltime favorite albums its a masterpiece!
The thing with NEIL YOUNG i dont think he has done a great album [not including "decade" its a complilation] but has so many great songs.
But you have to go for NEIL YOUNG he`s the man  

ALMOST CUT MY HAIR 'cringe" worthy i think not ,have you heard LANDING ON WATER now thats  cringe worthy adamzero my friend

I like 'Almost Cut My Hair'. A lot actually.

Quoted from tkitna

I have Stephen Stills self titled album and 'Illegal Stills' and I like them both a lot, but its obvious Neil Young has the solo market cornered.

Is Illegal Stills available on CD? I haven't seen it.

Quoted from mr kite

...ALMOST CUT MY HAIR 'cringe" worthy...

The music is great, but the lyrics are a bit corny.

When you where a lad from a northern working class background ,you were subject to a lot of grief when you had long hair [mostly off my mother god rest here soul]
You identified with that song , but i dont have that problem anymore ,its a bit thin on the rooftop these days    

Quoted from mr kite

When you where a lad from a northern working class background ,you were subject to a lot of grief when you had long hair [mostly off my mother god rest here soul]
You identified with that song , but i dont have that problem anymore ,its a bit thin on the rooftop these days    

Yeh, it's a song of the times. Fair enough.

I seem to listen to I THINK IM GOING BALD by RUSH a lot these days  

Almost cut my Hair does have the immortal "let my freak flag fly" line so it can't be all bad.  And you're right, Mr. Kite, some of the crap Neil put out in the 80s is beyond cringe-worthy, more like pure crazy.

Computer cowboy . . . computer cowboy

Quoted from GreenApple

Is Illegal Stills available on CD? I haven't seen it.

Good question as both that I have are on vinyl, but i'll try to find out.