Buffalo Springfield Album Review: The 1966 Folk-Rock Debut

Buffalo Springfield

Buffalo Springfield – 1966 – Atco Records

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Buffalo Springfield’s Journey to Their Debut Album

The story of Buffalo Springfield begins with one of rock history’s most serendipitous meetings. In April 1966, Neil Young and Bruce Palmer were driving their black Pontiac hearse through Los Angeles traffic on Sunset Boulevard when Stephen Stills and Richie Furay spotted them heading in the opposite direction. After a dramatic U-turn, the musicians reunited, having searched Los Angeles clubs for days trying to find each other.

Within days of this fateful encounter, the group added drummer Dewey Martin and took their name from a steamroller parked outside their house. Just five days after forming, they debuted at The Troubadour in West Hollywood on April 11, 1966. Their unique blend of folk harmonies, country instrumentation, and rock energy quickly caught the attention of Los Angeles’s music scene.

The Recording Process at Gold Star Studios

Recording sessions took place at Gold Star Studios in Hollywood from July 18 to September 11, 1966. This was the same legendary studio where Phil Spector created his “Wall of Sound” and Brian Wilson produced Beach Boys classics. Despite the studio’s pedigree, the band felt frustrated with producers Charles Greene and Brian Stone, their managers who had minimal experience as record producers.

The band requested time to re-record the album, unhappy that it failed to capture the raw power of their live performances. However, Atco Records insisted on releasing it as recorded to meet the Christmas holiday season deadline. This tension between the band’s artistic vision and commercial pressures would become a recurring theme throughout their brief career.

Complete Track Listing and What Makes Buffalo Springfield Essential

The Buffalo Springfield debut album showcases the early songwriting development of two future rock legends. Originally released with 12 tracks, the album was later revised to include their breakthrough hit.

Complete Track Listing

Is Buffalo Springfield Worth Listening To?

Absolutely. While the production may sound dated compared to their live performances, Buffalo Springfield remains essential listening for understanding the evolution of American rock music. The album captures two legendary songwriters at the beginning of their careers, experimenting with the folk-rock sound that would dominate the era. The interplay between Stills’ more structured, Beatles-influenced compositions and Young’s darker, more experimental songs creates a compelling musical tension throughout the record.

What Are the Best Songs on Buffalo Springfield?

“For What It’s Worth” stands as the album’s crowning achievement and one of rock’s most enduring protest anthems. Written by Stephen Stills in response to the Sunset Strip riots of November 1966, the song captures the generational divide and social unrest of the era with its ominous opening line and Neil Young’s haunting guitar harmonics.

“Burned” showcases Neil Young’s early experimental edge, featuring his distinctive vocal delivery and psychedelic guitar work. The song was inspired by Young’s experience with an epileptic seizure during this period, adding personal urgency to the track’s anxious energy.

“Out of My Mind” demonstrates Young’s gift for melancholic melody, with plaintive vocals and lush background harmonies. The innovative use of guitar through a Leslie speaker creates a swirling, atmospheric sound that was ahead of its time.

How Did Buffalo Springfield Perform Commercially and Critically?

The Buffalo Springfield album received mixed initial reception. Released in both mono and stereo versions in December 1966, it initially struggled commercially, peaking at only #80 on the Billboard 200. The first single, “Nowadays Clancy Can’t Even Sing,” failed to chart nationally, though it did reach the Top 25 in Los Angeles.

Everything changed when “For What It’s Worth” was recorded on December 5, 1966, and released as a single in January 1967. The song’s powerful commentary on the Sunset Strip riots resonated nationwide, climbing to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and selling over one million copies. This success prompted Atco Records to issue a revised version of the album in March 1967, replacing “Baby Don’t Scold Me” with the hit single.

What Do Critics Say About Buffalo Springfield?

Contemporary reviews praised the band’s innovative fusion of styles. Cash Box highlighted “Burned” for its inventive arrangement and noted “Nowadays Clancy Can’t Even Sing” as a pulsating folk-rock composition with unexpected melodic changes. Critics recognized the emerging talents of Stills and Young, even if the production didn’t fully capture their potential.

Modern retrospective evaluations have been more generous. AllMusic awarded the album four out of five stars, with critic Bruce Eder calling it an essential document of folk-rock despite its production flaws. The Encyclopedia of Popular Music similarly rated it four stars, commending the vocal harmonies and intricate guitar interplay that foreshadowed Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

Buffalo Springfield’s Legacy and Influence on Rock Music

The lasting importance of Buffalo Springfield extends far beyond its chart performance. The album helped establish country-rock as a legitimate genre, predating the Byrds’ “Sweetheart of the Rodeo” and influencing bands like the Eagles, Poco, and Pure Prairie League. The blend of folk harmonies, country instrumentation, and rock energy became a template that shaped 1970s California rock.

“For What It’s Worth” transcended its origins as commentary on local youth rebellion to become an enduring anti-war anthem. The song’s themes of paranoia, authority, and generational conflict resonated throughout the Vietnam era and continue to speak to social movements today.

Production Credits and Album Personnel

Band Members:

Stephen Stills – Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals

Neil Young – Guitar, Harmonica, Piano, Vocals

Richie Furay – Guitar, Vocals

Bruce Palmer – Bass Guitar

Dewey Martin – Drums, Vocals

Production Team:

Charles Greene – Producer

Brian Stone – Producer

Recording Details:

Recorded: July 18 – September 11, 1966 (album tracks); December 5, 1966 (“For What It’s Worth”)

Studios: Gold Star Studios, Hollywood, CA; Columbia Studios, Hollywood, CA

Label: Atco Records

Released: December 5, 1966

Frequently Asked Questions About Buffalo Springfield