Crosby, Stills, & Nash: 2012

They were one of the headliners at Woodstock…in fact they have recorded the most famous version of the song, so it would be hard for anyone but the very young not to have heard of the wonderful harmony and prolific music and talent of Crosby, Stills, and Nash. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, back in 1997, this is a band, made up of 70 year olds that are not resting on their laurels, like many of their contemporaries. They are making new music and some of the tracks made it onto this double live album.

David Crosby, as he says, is the guy who writes the "weird" stuff, Graham Nash, the English singer who wrote many of the bands favorite anthems, like "Teach Your Children Well"; and Stephen Stills, who writes the "cool hard rock" tracks, have been creating and performing music since they formed one of rock's first "super-groups", back in the early 1970s. David Crosby came from the famous band, The Birds, Graham Nash came from the famous band, The Hollies, from England. Stephen Stills came from the Buffalo Springfield. The legend has it that the three band members first sang together at "Mama", Cass Elliott's home in July of 1968. Part of their illustrious history includes auditioning for the Beatles Apple Record label.

But enough about the past. This band is making new music and performing live today. The voices might be a little cracked and "rusty", but the spirit is strong and willing. Hearing "Suite Judy Blue Eyes" again live was by far the high point of the set. They don't do that song live often because it is so difficult to do live, but with the great musicians helping to support them, they make it sound like it is 1969, and the band is kicking off its first tour instead of encoring a 2012 show. Listening carefully for the "Beatles surprise"…that was so nice.

The other highlights for me were my favorite songs, "Wooden Ships", "Marrakesh Express", "Southern Cross", "Guinevere", "Our House", "Wasted on the Way", " Long Time Gone", "Love the One You're With", "Cathedral", "Déjà Vu", and of course "Teach Your Children Well". A special nod to "Cathedral" and "Déjà Vu", because they both sounded so wonderful live, and remind you how complicated and physically and hopefully mentally demanding this music is…if you're actually listening to the words and music. It challenges you today as much as it did in the heady protest days of the Vietnam War. These are anthems to a generation who stood up for what they believed in and were willing to stick their necks out and sing about their times…both the good and the bad.

"Almost Gone", a protest song over the Wiki -leaks fiasco, helps add to their long list of classic protest songs from the 60s Peace/Protest Movement. "Lay Me Down" is another new song, which translates well acoustically on this double album set. "Radio", also gets its debut as well adding more to the massive discography this band has already assembled.

"Bluebird", a Buffalo Springfield classic, comes across well live. You can tell Stephen had allot of fun singing this one live again.

The story that Stephen tells before "Girl from the North Country", is a great example of the wonderful conversation and history the band shares with everyone throughout the two CDs, from their years of touring. The origination of songs and their inspiration is a constant gift throughout this double CD "concert".

The feeling permeating this entire set of songs is so peaceful and full of warm, friendly emotion. "As I Come of Age", a Stephen Stills classic, they haven't played for over 20 years, is another highlight off the second disc. Stephen's story of "John the Gardner" on "Johnny's Garden" is another highlight. "So Begins the Task", another Sills classic is wonderful…and Crosby's favorite Stills' penned song. "For What It's Worth" is another great protest classic done well. Yes, sit back and relax while you take a journey through the past and some of the best music they have made together. This CD set will bring back many memories and help create new ones.

CD 1:

1. Carry On/Questions
2. Marrakesh Express
3. Long Time Gone
4. Military Madness
5. Southern Cross
6. Lay Me Down
7. Almost Gone
8. Wasted on the Way
9. Radio
10. Bluebird
11. Déjà Vu
12. Wooden Ships

CD 2:

1. Helplessly Hoping
2. In Your Name
3. Girl from the North Country
4. As I Come of Age
5. Guinevere
6. Johnny's Garden
7. Learn to Live (So Begins the Task)
8. Cathedral
9. Our House
10. Love the One You're With

Encore:

1. For What It's Worth
2. Teach Your Children
3. Suite: Judy Blue Eyes

Added: August 26th 2012
Reviewer: Mark Johnson
Score:
Related Link: Crosbystillsnash.com
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Language: english

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