Stephen Stills "Black Queen"

[Bolero]

wow, I just heard the live version of this from CSN&Y "4 way street" and am digging it!!


anyway, does anyone how to play it? is it fingerstyle? doesn't sound like he's using fingerpicks to me though. is he using a pick? it sure is a bright sound for just fingerflesh? but I hear him popping strings.....??

also I can't even tell if it's a 6 or 12 string. something is wrong with my ears right now I guess.......

[Nelson F]

These Guys are Magic!

[DrewBlanc]

I don't have a clue how to play it, Stills is way over my head. I do know that he rarely uses a pick but the flesh on his fingers is so thick that he doesn't need one.

[tutbass]

Stills never uses a pick. He once did an interview describing how he positions his fingers like he's holding one, but then strikes down with the nail of his index finger (using his thumb behind it for support). I don't remember the live version, but I must've worn out my copy of his first solo album trying to learn that tune. He uses lots of alternate tunings (and I still can't figure out how anybody plays in DADGAD!), so I used to cheat, and just tune my high E down to D. It gives you a 7th chord on all E-position barre chords.

It's all done with Martins. Their bright, glassy tone really knocked me for a loop on the first CSN
record... I'd never heard a guitar sound like that before. Then you crank up the gain on the console when recording... adding tons of compression and a little distortion, and voila.

If you think "Black Queen" has some attack, how about the acoustic solo on "Bluebird" (Buffalo Springfield Again)? If you've never heard it, you
must!

[Bolero]

cool! that makes sense, thx!!

I'm actually getting into a CSNY phase, I want to get Stills' 1st album next. I never knew Hendrix played on it!! Al Kooper too, I think?

the Buffalo Springfield stuff & a few Neil Young albums are on the "to get" list too. ( "after the gold rush" & "everybody knows this is nowhere" )

[Bob Mc]

double drop D (Dadgbd). I think. Maybe.
We used to sweat over that one; cool groove.

[Lily]

I have the Super Show taped at the Linoleum Factory, back in '69 I think. SStills does Black Queen on that - he's playing a BEAUTIFUL Black Custom with a Bigsby. :wow

Totally dig that song.

[Bolero]

how is the sound quality of that recording?

would be interesting to hear on electric.

btw on the remastered/recent "4-way street" there is an additional NYoung acoustic medley that wasn't on the initial release.....have you heard it yet?