Customer Reviews

Last Time Around

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Last Time Around (1968.) Buffalo Springfield's third album.

Despite having released two excellent and wildly diverse rock and roll albums, Buffalo Springfield just never managed to achieve any major popularity. This was a shame, because they really were excellent musicians. Among their ranks were the widely talented Stephen Stills (who wrote most of the band's compositions) and the future rock legend Neil Young. For the band's third album, which would be their final one, they recruited new bass player Jim Messina (who would achieve great fame in the seventies playing alongside Kenny Loggins.) How does the band's final album, the appropriately-titled Last Time Around, measure up? Read on for my review.

This was Buffalo Springfield's third and final album. The band must have finally realized that their music, while good, could never be as influential as that of, say, the Byrds or Bob Dylan (the major folk-oriented rockers of the day.) It was a shame that they decided to call it quits, but before quitting, the band served up this album, and I'm glad they did. By far Buffalo Springfield's greatest strength was their musical diversity, and they serve up plenty of that on this album, drawing influences from a number of genres and artists of the day. There's really not a whole lot more that I can say about this album, but it's not quite as good as it's predecessor, Buffalo Springfield Again. However, in my mind, it DOES top the band's self-titled debut. It's doubtful that any fan of the band will be disappointed with it.

Like the other Buffalo Springfield releases (as of July 18, 2004), there is only one version of the album readily available on CD. This is a real shame, because it could use some remastering and bonus tracks, since so many of the band's excellent rarities are unavaiable outside of their restrictively expensive box set. If there are executives from the record company reading this, I urge you to reissue the band's catalogue and remaster it!

Last Time Around was, well, the last time around for Buffalo Springfield, but it certainly wasn't the last time around for the members of the band. Several spin-off bands were born from the downfall of Buffalo Springfield, including Crosby Stills Nash And Young, Poco, and Loggins And Messina. Many of the former members also released solo albums. Last Time Around stands as the last effort by this great classic rock band, so it's fortunate that its members would find successes elsewhere. If you're new to Buffalo Springfield, I would have to recommend either starting with the band's sophomore effort Buffalo Springfield Again, or the Retrospective hits compilation. This is an excellent album, no question, it's just not a very good starting point for new fans.

If you own or are planning on buying the box set, this disc needs to be acquired as well. Neil Young was in charge of compiling this collection and possibly allowed his feelings(about the band and subsequent departure) to limit the possibilities this collection could've offered. Aside from the fact that many songs(the same versions)were duplicated throughout the four discs, there were some of their best songs that were left out.(there are 36 unreleased tunes though) Not to worry, the three songs missing are on this album: "It's So Hard To Wait", "Carefree Country Day", and "In The Hour Of Not Quite Rain." This doesn't complete the entire studio collection however as the nine-minute "Bluebird" jam that was briefly available on a 1973 best-of-LP was not included. Nor is the "lost album" Stampede. The order of these songs also flow better than any of the box discs.

Although bandmembers concede that Bruce Palmer was the glue that held the Buffalo Springfield together, functionally the band existed as a steppingstone in the development of Neil Young and Stephen Stills into mega-stars, and Richie Furay and Jim Messina into minor stars. So just how unglued had Buffalo Springfield become by the time 'Last Time Around' was released in July of 1968? Unglued enough to applique a portrait of Neil Young over a photo of the rest of the band looking in the opposite direction on the emblematic cover illustration. Neil would have his first solo album released within four months of this release, and Stephen Stills, the only remaining epoxy in the Springfield, would follow Neil by only a month to appear on the 'Super Session' recordings with Al Kooper and Mike Bloomfield. Even Richie Furay and Jim Messina would be aligned with Poco (originally named 'Pogo' until cartoonist Walt Kelley sued to protect the namesake of his progeny) within a year. Basically, it was over for Buffalo Springfield by the Spring of 1968 (and Palmer well before then)... which is a shame because they were such a unique and diverse band, and 'Last Time Around' evokes this stature.

Young only makes two contributions to the songlist, but they are stellar compositions that he has continued to perform throughout his career. The opener, 'On the Way Home' also appears on the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young 'Four Way Street' LP, and 'I Am a Child' graces 1978's 'Live Rust' LP and the 'Rust Never Sleeps' film. Aside from a writing collaboration with Furay on 'It's So Hard To Wait', this was all Neil would muster for BS's swan song.

That left Stills and Furay to take up the slack, and both make admirable contributions. The standout is Stills 'Questions'. The song was later grafted by Stills onto CSNY's 'Carry On' for the 'Deja Vu' LP, but more importantly it previewed the folk-rock, singer-songwriter style Stills was honing. It is unquestionably (pun intended) one of his finest compositions, instrumentally bright and lyrically moving... Stills at his best.

Other Stills contributions include two songs which would later appear on his 1974 tour and 1975 'Stephen Stills Live' LP: 'Four Days Gone', which with the BS sounds more country, while the live version is more bluesy, and 'Special Care', which Stills turned into an obliterating tsunami of a finale in 'Live's electric set. While the BS version is certainly more restrained, it's enjoyable to hear the cleaner and more methodical (traits the band hated in their studio productions), studio version offered on 'Last Time Around'. 'Pretty Girl Why' has an appealing melody and chiming vibrato guitar work, and 'Uno Mundo' ("One World") introduces us to Stills' Latin influence, with a curious but entirely effective addition of a fuzzy, psychedelic lead guitar. Overall, 'Last Time Around' is a work dominated by Stills more than any other Springfield member.

Furay makes four contributions, the best of which is the melodic love ballad 'Kind Woman'. It's really a Pogo/Poco tune, recorded without Stills or Young in the studio. 'It's So Hard To Wait' is aptly named, moving so slowly one wonders if it will actually be stopping anytime soon, while 'Merry-Go-Round' offers a more bouncy, pop fare. 'The Hour of Not Quite Rain' is an interesting, seemingly experimental attempt at psychedelia, quite unique for Furay, and perhaps demonstrating the reach of Young's influence. While not groundbreaking, or even able to stand on their own, Furay's additions save the album from Palmer and Young's abandonment.

One last song is contributed by Jim Messina. 'Carefree Country Day' has it's own unique feel, light and unassuming in contrast to most of what Furay and Stills were serving up.

Six of the twelves songs on the disc check in between two and two and one-half minutes, and only one song (the closer, 'Kind Woman') exceeds four minutes, so quantitatively there isn't a lot of music to be had. The real appeal is in the overall mix... Buffalo Springfield was a truly eclectic band, and the classic work offered by Stills and Young, covering seven of the twelve compositions, debuts the artists ascent into the prime of their careers. It is an especially desirable album for fans of Stephen Stills.

Since the band was in the process of falling apart at the time, this is actually more of a "various artists" album than it is a group effort. But when those "various artists" include Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Richie Furay and Jim Messina, the results can't be all bad. The obvious gem here is Young's timeless "I Am A Child." But other contributions aren't too shabby either, including Stills' "Pretty Girl Why" and Furray's "Merry Go Round" (a slice of classic '60s pop that should have been Springfield's one last big hit.) Although not the tour de'force of their previous album "Again," "Last Time Around" offers a glimpse of where each of these artists was headed and is still worth checking out.

Sad album to go out on. Still it is not that bad an album. While Neil Young practically is not present on the album, he does compose the excellent opening track "On The Way Home" which kind of sums up the Buffalo Springfield's vibe by the time the album came out; as well as writing and taking a lead vocal on "I am A Child".

Other good tracks on Last Time Around include: Questions, Special Care, and what some people consider the first Poco song (or at least the Poco seeds were sown), Kind Woman.

Stills and Furay both are experimental on many tracks such as Stephen's latin flavored "Uno Mundo" and Furay's classical piece "An Hour of Not Quite Rain".

Not a bad album, but start with Buffalo Springfield's Again - that's their best.

Well, being that this is the first Buffalo Springfield album I ever owned [and actually, the only one back around the time of their heyday], still, it was one of my favorite LP's. I found out much later that I like it better than their [usually] more heralded earlier efforts. But I guess that's only a matter of taste. I usually put this on as background while I was just hanging out, but a closer listening yields greater pleasures, especially on some of the tunes which at first hearing might seem merely marginal.

"On the Way Home" (Neil Young) Creative use of brass reminds one of the opening song ("Artificial Energy") on another 5-star album, 'The Notorious Byrd Brothers', which is, however, ironic and [mythical]. By contrast, this is one of the more heartwarming songs of the late 60's, in any genre. [5 stars +]

"It's So Hard to Wait" (Richie Furay/Neil Young) Sad, very slow jazzy song about lost love. Sits perfectly in sequence between the previous selection and what follows. [4 stars +]

"Pretty Girl Why" (Stephen Stills) Tender, wistful, mysterious wedding of melody, harmony, rhythm and lyrics; one of the first Buffalo Springfield songs to herald the coming of Crosby, Stills & Nash. [5 stars]

"Four Days Gone" (Stephen Stills) Almost tearful, understated anti-draft story-ballad that continues the protest milieu stated so powerfully in their lone blockbuster single, "For What It's Worth". Wonderful vocals and interplay between the guitars and the old-time country piano. A super-strong effort! [5 stars +]

"Carefree Country Day" (Jim Messina) This bouncy, well-conceived and performed [nearly jocular] country song, is a real feel-gooder. Has a fine, humorous episode of scat singing near the end. [4 stars]

"Special Care" (Stephen Stills) And even closer approximation of the early Buff Spring protest song, and a closer pre-figuration of CS&N. [4 stars +]

"The Hour of Not Quite Rain" (Richie Furay/M. Callen) Very sophisticated pop song, moody/mystical melody with almost medieval-sounding harmony. Overall sound somewhat reminiscent of some early Association songs ("Along Comes Mary", "Pandora's Golden Heebie Jeebies", "Requiem for the Masses"). Extremely creative use of woodwind/string/brass sections. [4 stars]

"Questions" (Stephen Stills) This song later became part of CSN&Y's "Carry On". All in all, I prefer this, the earlier version. [5 stars]

"I Am a Child" (Neil Young) Simply put, one of the best songs Neil Young ever wrote. Terrific melodic/rhythmic interplay, marvelous lyrics, ungodly fine arrangement. And the singing is priceless. [5 stars +]

"Merry-Go-Round" (Richie Furay) This one is definitely pop-ish, but the singer comes through with a lot of heart. Musically, the overall arrangement is somewhat of a tour de force in the way it evokes the carnival sound without stooping to slavish imitation; also notable is its blending of pop, jazz and classical elements, and the very cool way the contrasting sections of the song dovetail one into another. "Upside down on a merry-go-round, just look at me!" The overall 'sound' reminds me a bit of the pop-rock groups from Chicago [like New Colony Six and the Buckinghams], but notched up a level or so. [4 stars]

"Uno Mundo" (Stephen Stills) Bouncy, jazzy, up-tempo Stephen Stills tune with his outstanding trademark solo guitar work. Might, or might not have found its way into some incarnation of CSN&Y had it not been used here. Kind of a simplistic song, but, once again, performed with alot of heart . . . very gutsy. [4 stars]

"Kind Woman" (Richie Furay) Great, plaintive closer . . . a beautifully slow country ballad [á la Furay's future band Poco]. Very fine interplay between the vocalist and lead guitar parts. [4 stars]

Although this album is somewhat thought of as a grab bag of material due to the band falling apart, there is enough strong material here, to force myself to come back over & over again.... as often as the first two Springfield albums.

There are many great songs here, especially Kind Woman, arguably, Furay's finest moment in the business. If I had a voice like his... I could've saved myself in many relationships that went wrong.

Another highlight for me is Stills' Questions. This is VINTAGE Stills... where his voice is carrying over the music being played. Yes, the CSN(& sometimes Y. Especially as of late) Carry On is a great song... but with Crosby & Nash, the harmonies can sometimes bury Stills' amazing voice. The man used to be able to flat out sing. He's got some nice guitar here as well, but his vocals on this cut, is one of the highlights of the Last Time Around.

Which makes us think: what would this album been like if Young actually was present for the album? If Bruce Palmer was there (I ask this due to it not being a "Springfield" album. The irony that w/o Messina, there might have been no album)? There is a good chance this would've been their strongest album yet. The songwriters were definitely developing & reaching new heights... what they lacked was the chemistry to be a band, which they had... & unfortunately lost.

Their recent box set reminded me again on what a terrific band they were, & made me make this review. In my humble opinion, this was the best gig they were involved in musically (yes, even CSNY), & I will cherish the music they made for all of us to hear.

this album was made up of leftovers when the band broke up. i think it is definitely the weakest of the three records. that being said, the songs are still generally quite good. young's " i am a child" is a fine short track. " kind woman" is one of the cornerstones of country rock. stills' "special care" is a fine rock track, and his " uno mundo" is a very good latin rock number. his " questions" would later be redone by csn and y on DEJA VU, tacked on to the end of carry on. there are a few lesser cuts, and it is hardly a classic album, but it certainly is a fine addition to one's collection.

I really don't care who was or was not in the studio when certain songs were recorded. I also don't care if Richie Furay was looking ahead to Poco, or Stills to his moving to the Lightweight Division with Crosby and Nash, or if Neil Young was contemplating his musical future with---Neil Young. I like this album, and I like it a lot.

It starts out with Young's classic On the Way Home, and ends with Furay's once in a career masterpiece Kind Woman. For me, in terms of "romance value", Kind Woman makes Johnie Matthis music sound like a John Phillips Souza march!. I also love Richie's mystical, enchanting Hour of not Quite Rain. Toss in Young's only other song I am a Child, and these two are well represented.

But 5 of the 12 songs are written and the lead sung by Steve Stills. Four Days Gone has been a tune that has remained fresh in my head for over 30 years. It is one of those hidden nuggets that few people know, but is a great work. It contains political overtones as does two more well-know Stills compositions, Special Care and Uno Mundo. I like the version of Questions far more on this album than on Crosby Still & Nash, but obviously I am not a big CSN(Y) fan.

Buffalo Springfield I feel was the strongest American responce to the "British Invasion", overshadowing The Byrds and Youngbloods. They were an amazing band who could remain powerful and even "heavy" while teetering on the brink of sounding bubblegum. Many have criticized their lack of a coherant style or sound, while others have praised them for their ability to be diverse. When you have three giant talents such as Furay,Young and Stills allowing eachother to share the writing and lead singing, you are bound to get a great deal of diversity. But I don't love their music for its diversity, but for its greatness. Of course when you do have three such talents in a group, all allowed to do their own thing, the music will be great but it won't last a long time. Three and out (with a mandatory best hits album), for the best American band of its time, and maybe for all time.

I was a fan when they started, and continue to be one now. With "I Am A Child" and "Questions", these songs are a decade ahead of their time. "Special Care" live is actually better than the record. In all, thanks to Buffalo Springfield, Flying Burrito Brothers, Byrds, et al. The "Rockin' Country" you hear now you hear on these records.