It’s not clear what Stone is trying to communicate here, but It’s possible that the “gentle man” he’s singing about is Neil Young. The song itself has a tribute-to-Neil sound to it in its presentation and guitar work. But the heaviest clue is in the lyrics, first with the reference to his “dusty days,” prompting free association of Dusty Springfield from which it is an easy jump to Buffalo Springfield. In the very same couplet, Stone describes the gentle man as being “split four ways” which immediately called to mind CSN&Y’s live album 4 Way Street. The song Bayleaf is from the 2001 album of the same name, released six years after Stone had backed Neil on Mirror Ball as part of Pearl Jam. Maybe Stone had hoped for an ongoing collaboration with Neil that just didn’t happen, but instead became fodder for the title track of his only release under his own name?