STILLWATER : 30 YEARS
by John Molet - Novembre 2003

It's not that easy to write a resume of Stillwater only after listening to their three albums, as this band was just one of the biggest ones in the southern rock world back in the seventies. Started in 1972 around Milledgeville, Georgia, the band quickly migrate to Macon, Georgia where they'll sign a contract with Capricorn, the label working mainly with southern rock bands. Under the influence of Buddy Buie (their friend form Atlanta Rhythm Section , they'll release a masterpiece as their first album. Songs such as "Mind bender" are still played today on the radio in the US. Stillwater had an enormous imapct on the southern rock fans, playing music somewhere between Marshall Tucker and Atlanta Rythm Section. They'll get a solid reputation and recognition and they'll constantly be on the road with bands such as Charlie Daniels, Foreigner, The outlaws, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Marshall Tucker Band, among others.
This first album was just a pure jewel, guitars the way we like them form Mike Causey, Rob Walker and Bobby Golden, melodic vocals from Sebie Lacey and Jimmy Hall, a rhythm section many bands would like to have, and Bob Spearman on kyeboards. A nice group of musicians, for sure. Stillwater will later inspire Cameron Crowe when he'll write his famous movie, "Almost famous". It was less than a year before the band gets banck to the studio with new songs and they'll release "I reserve the right" in 1978. The band is still at the top even if this new album doesn't get the magic of the first one. But don't get me wrong, this is a great one. Songs such as "I reserve the right", "Keeping myself alive" and "Fair Warning" are some kind of proofs, if necessary. The problem was they didn't get much success with this new album, so Capricorn seemed not to take care of this great band but they keep on playing music, not so often but they're still there. They play at least a reunion show every year.
In 1998, nobody was expecting something from them but they released their third album as a reminder, if needed, that Stillwater was a great band. They wrote fabulous songs with "The big payback", "Let me be your lover", "Somebody to love", "Scarred for life". Once again, they didn't get much recognition but they still live and the city of Macon declared an official Stiilwater day !

Stillwater - 1977

I reserve the right - 1978

Runnin' free - 1998

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