"Can't Let Go" by Stephen Stills with Michael Finnigan

Song#:  2071
Date:  10/06/1984
Debut:  85
Peak:  67
Weeks:  6
Genre:  Pop, Adult Contemporary



Pop Bits:  Stills' sixth solo album, Right By You, produced the #12 Rock track "Stranger." The song was able to get on the Pop chart, but only for a few short weeks. Next up was this ballad that Rock ignored, but AC latched on to. It was able to get to #17 on that chart. Again, Pop wasn't so interested and it came and went fairly quickly. It would be Stills' last solo song and album to reach any chart. Stills would continue to perform and record some solo material while also performing with Crosby, Stills & Nash and a new band he co-formed called The Rides. Consisting of Stills with Barry Goldberg and Kenny Wayne Shepherd, the trio's debut album, Can't Get Enough, would hit #39 on the Album chart.

ReduxReview:  I wasn't that familiar with Mike Finnigan (see below), but he is really the only reason to listen to this song. His voice is so good that it transcends this pedestrian ballad. He also just walks all over Stills. Although Stills was essential to the harmonies of groups like Crosby, Stills & Nash, he was never a strong vocalist. That point is certainly made when Stills starts out and then Finnigan's big voice comes drivin' in. It was great to hear him sing, but the song itself is a snoozer.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  This song was a duet between Stills and famed keyboardist Mike Finnigan. Finnigan was known for playing Hammond organ and had long been associated with Crosby, Stills & Nash along with many other major artists. Along the way he recorded two major label albums in 1976 and 1978, but neither sold very well. Later he formed the Phantom Blue Band, which backed several artists including Taj Mahal for the album Shoutin' in Key. Credited to Taj Mahal and the Phantom Blues Band, the album won a Grammy in 2000 for Best Contemporary Blue Album.

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