CROSBY STILLS & NASH – Crosby Stills & Nash – (Atlantic) – 1969

At one stage back in the mid 80s I had most of the various permeations of Stills, Crosby, Nash, and (later) Young. It was in a post Byrds frenzy I managed to pick ‘em all as they were everywhere in op shops.

I got rid of a few at record fairs though some did not sell – they weren’t very popular. Their special brand of country folk rock come soft rock was not for 80s tastes.

Now, I find myself revisiting those same albums that did not sell. And, I’m revisiting them for the same reasons I bought them….a post Byrds frenzy. Now, though, my tastes have mellowed / broadened / changed / expanded (insert adjective). Musical taste is one thing but surely for such taste to be relevant to anyone other than the holder of the taste then the taste must be based on exposure to lots of music. No?

What I’m saying is I appreciate The Hollies, Stephen Stills, Buffalo Springfield and country rock more now than I did in the mid 80s (actually I don’t think I had even heard any actual music by Buffalo Springfield then).

Having said that, I also find some of the disappointment I had initially. This is tough going – not because the music is bad but because it allowed a world of horseshit dross soft rock to escape like a weak fart in a VW.

Admittedly, as I write this, I’m in a cynical mood – how many bands have you been tuned off due to bad moods?

But, I will try to overcome by cynicism…

How CSN got together (you can search with the bio links below) I don’t know but this is pure late 60s California … equal parts rock, folk rock, pop, psychedelia, singer-songwriter and soft rock.

A supergroup of sorts, CSN (all in their mid to late 20s) came together in 1968. David Crosby was formerly in The Byrds, Stephen Stills had been a member of Buffalo Springfield (along with Neil Young) and Graham Nash was in UK pop masters The Hollies.

All of them loved harmonies.

CSN got edgier (and better) when the (opportunistic) Neil Young joined but they lost the harmonies – Neil can’t sing. Well, not like the others. He, however, contributed significantly to their best album, “Déjà Vu” from 1970.

Here, the harmonies are beautiful and the band plays well and plays most of the instruments. The only other instrument is the drums (played by Dallas Taylor, from the band “Clear Light”)

The lyrics and themes are of the self consciously “deep” variety with meaning in every word and not much humour. The usual late 60s themes of alienation, confusion, a world out of balance are evident. But, despite all that some of the lyrics resonate and though they may be “of their time” they still have relevance today.

I don’t think there are any knock down stand out songs, and, like I said, the lyrics can be a bit Hippie precious but it certainly is easy on the ears. But this is also one of those albums which works because the “whole sound” is more important than the individual songs.

Importantly, it’s not embarrassing like some similar music from the same era ….and fans of Elliot Smith and others would probably like it also.

I have a lot of their other records behind me ….. be warned.

I dread listening to their later stuff.

Tracks (best in italics)

• Suite: Judy Blue Eyes  -Stills- 7:25 – beautiful harmonies. Some good lyrics (written for Still’s ex, singer Judy Collins )…and a nifty title “Suite Judy Blue Eyes” …Get it? Perfect Hippie music. Definitely music to kick back to. Though Nash’s voice is a little too pop on this track.
• Marrakesh Express -Nash- 2:39 – this is everything the last song is and perhaps even better. It is bubblegum Hippie music (and the happiest song on the album) and Nash’s pop voice suits the song. But, it contains the seeds for the slight MOR pop of the 70s.
• Guinnevere –Crosby– 4:40 – a bit ponderously precious.
• You Don’t Have to Cry – Stills – 2:45 –a lot of drama in this one.
• Pre-Road Downs -Nash- 3:01 – groovy, man, groovy. A song if it’s time but a good song from Nash with some light psychedelica.
• Wooden Ships -Crosby, Kantner, Stills -5:29 – co- written by Paul Kantner of Jefferson Airplane …this song isn’t bad but clearly it has some deeper meaning. It is also overly dramatic and a little hokey…”purple berries” indeed.

Stills: If you smile at me, I will understand

‘Cause that is something everybody everywhere does

in the same language.

Crosby: I can see by your coat, my friend,

you’re from the other side,

There’s just one thing I got to know,

Can you tell me please, who won?

Stills: Say, can I have some of your purple berries?

Crosby: Yes, I’ve been eating them for six or seven weeks now,

haven’t got sick once.

Stills: Probably keep us both alive.

Wooden ships on the water, very free and easy,

Easy, you know the way it’s supposed to be,

Silver people on the shoreline, let us be,

Talkin’ ’bout very free and easy…

Horror grips us as we watch you die,

All we can do is echo your anguished cries,

Stare as all human feelings die,

We are leaving – you don’t need us.

• Lady of the Island -Nash –2:39 – Nash is trying to be Paul Simon here, both in writing and voice. Simon does it better.
• Helplessly Hoping -Stills -2:41 – Stills is trying to be Paul Simon here, though in writing only.
• Long Time Gone– Crosby – 4:17 – dramatic with a dose of southern soul this is apparently a reflection on the assassination of Robert Kennedy. It’s a little different to the rest of the album and at first it doesn’t work but ultimately it’s foreboding is memorable.
• 49 Bye-Byes -Stills –  5:16 – nice tempo shifts with a grittier lead vocal from Stills.

And …

A legend album – no.

A very good and pleasant album – yes.

…. I’m keeping it.

Chart Action

US

Singles

1969  Marrakesh Express  The Billboard Hot 100 #28

1969  Suite: Judy Blue Eyes  The Billboard Hot 100 #21

Album

1969  Crosby, Stills & Nash  The Billboard 200 #6

1969  Crosby, Stills & Nash  R&B Albums #35

England

Singles

1969  Marrakesh Express  #17

Album

#25

Sounds

Suite: Judy Blue Eyes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDEiLImUUM8&feature=related

Live Woodstock

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzF_MoXOU1E

Live

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptEF4Oi4Uk0&feature=related

Marrakesh Express

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7XIL67QSME

Live

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzB5eRu6HOk

Guinnevere

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOsl1V0n5mI

Live

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsmC1zrpwfQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPvOTVVbMko

You Don’t Have to Cry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYjYgQX-Q0w

Live (with Neil Young)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qBJdpIglh0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJoqo9xMU6o

Pre-Road Downs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWRDzl1vIms

and attached

Crosby Stills & Nash – Pre-Road Downs

Wooden Ships

Live Woodstock

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0rG2ME4sAc

Live (with Neil Young)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzM5a5d5j2s

Lady of the Island

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DNE3l0haKk

Helplessly Hoping

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doIEwzc6k_k

Long Time Gone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DUqplxIcNk

Live Woodstock

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PFCgAhZEO8

Live

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYHgKYhhvg8

49 Bye-Byes  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DUqplxIcNk

Others

—

Review

http://www.allmusic.com/album/crosby-stills–nash-r4845

Bio

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/crosby-stills–nash-p3996

Website

http://www.myspace.com/crosbystillsandnash

Trivia

• Their second live performance was in front of half a million people at Woodstock.