Thursday , March 28 2024
No matter what Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young have individually, together the blend is something that is difficult to put into words.

CD Review: Crosby, Stills and Nash

What can be said about Crosby, Stills and Nash that hasn’t already been said? They are one of the best known vocal groups in music. With their three very distinct voices and writing styles, they have blended and harmonized to become one of the most recognizable sounds around. If there isn’t at least one familiar song on this re-mastered and reissued CD, then you’ve most likely been living under a rock.

It is a complete album of three-part harmonies, something that was intentional on the part of the guys, recalls Stephen Stills in the liner notes:

We picked the songs that were meant to be sung three-part and tossed out the songs that were better as solo album songs. That’s why there were great solo albums that followed.

[ADBLOCKHERE]And those harmonies are just as beautiful today, even clearer in this re-mastered version. The CD includes four bonus tracks that didn’t appear when Crosby, Stills, and Nash was originally released in May of 1969, those songs being “Do For The Others”, “Song With No Words”, “Everybody’s Talking”, and “Teach Your Children”. The songs blend seamlessly as they are of the same style, not necessarily an easy task when you take into consideration what unique and varied songwriters each artist is individually.

Before coming together in 1968, all three men had already had a successful run in music. David Crosby had been with The Byrds. Graham Nash had broken out as a member of the Hollies, and Stephen Stills had started with Buffalo Springfield. When they came together, however, the result was something totally different that any of the three aforementioned groups.

The CD produced two Top 40 singles and probably the most recognizable tracks on the collection: “Marrakesh Express,” and “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”, the latter being the opening track. It was a stroll down memory lane when those first notes and all too familiar lyrics came from the speakers, a reflection of that style of music that isn’t often revisited these days by new artists, not only in the harmonious delivery but the lyrics with a social conscious.

They would go on to later include Neil Young in the mix, and in the early seventies spend many years recording solo projects as well as put out albums together. No matter what Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young have individually (which is incredible), together the blend is something that is difficult to put into words.

Thirty-eight years later, this CD is still a welcome addition to the fan and casual listener alike. Whether it’s the classic “Teach Your Children,” or the lesser known “You Don’t Have to Cry,” it’s all good, not just for the memories but by anyone’s standards today.

Updated and current information on what Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young are doing both together and as solo acts can be found at their website.

Track Listing
1. “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”
2. “Marrakesh Express”
3. “Guinevere”
4. “You Don’t Have to Cry”
5. “Pre-Road Downs”
6. “Wooden Ships”
7. “Lady Of The Island”
8. “Helplessly Hoping”
9. “Long Time Gone”
10. “49 Bye-Byes”
11. “Do For The Others”
12. “Song With No Words”
13. “Everybody’s Talking”
14. “Teach Your Children”

About Connie Phillips

Check Also

The PAX East 2024 Experience

PAX East is a terrific and inclusive home for gamers. With so much to see and do, this roundup gives an idea of what the experience is like.