Record Reviews

CPR ~ CPR BMG 4050538588613 (Barcode: 4050538588613) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1998 Released: 2020 This is a reissue of the debut studio album by the American Classic Rock trio, CPRFind albums by this artist, led by the iconic singer / songwriter David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, guitarist / vocalist Jeff PevarFind albums by this artist and Crosby’s son keyboardist / vocalist James RaymondFind albums by this artist. The trio is accompanied by several bassists like Leland SklarFind albums by this artist and James HutchinsonFind albums by this artist and drummers like Steve DiStanislaoFind albums by this artist and Michael BlandFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven original songs, written or co-written by the trio members. The trio’s sound and musical direction is remarkably similar to the Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist legacy, with brilliant vocal harmonies, beautiful lyrical songwriting and heartfelt performances, but it had its own somewhat different slightly Jazzy tinge due to Pevar’s inclination in that direction. The group was founded shortly after Crosby’s liver transplant and his meeting with Raymond, who grew up with foster parents. The two clicked immediately and remain inseparable to this very day, making music together. Founding of the trio marked Crosby’s remarkable return to music making, which resulted in one more studio album with CPR and two live albums, as well as a string of solo albums and tours with Crosby, Stills & Nash. Overall this is a remarkable Classic Rock album, with every song just perfect, sublime singing and harmony, in short an instant classic. It is great to have it reissued and readily available again and since this is absolutely timeless music, anybody who missed at the time – here is an opportunity to make things right!

Updated: 25/02/2022Posted: 15/02/2022

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

CPR ~ JUST LIKE GRAVITY BMG 4050538588637 (Barcode: 4050538588637) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2001 Released: 2020 This is a reissue of the second studio album by the American Classic Rock trio CPRFind albums by this artist, led by the iconic singer / songwriter David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, guitarist / vocalist Jeff PevarFind albums by this artist and Crosby’s son keyboardist / vocalist James RaymondFind albums by this artist. The trio is accompanied by bassist Andy FordFind albums by this artist (or Leland SklarFind albums by this artist on one track) and drummer Steve DiStanislaoFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve original songs, written or co-written by the trio members. The trio’s sound and musical direction is remarkably similar to the Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist legacy, with brilliant vocal harmonies, beautiful lyrical songwriting and heartfelt performances, but it had its own somewhat different slightly Jazzy tinge due to Pevar’s inclination in that direction. The group was founded shortly after Crosby’s liver transplant and his meeting with Raymond, who grew up with foster parents. The two clicked immediately and remain inseparable to this very day, making music together. Founding of the trio marked Crosby’s remarkable return to music making, which resulted in two studio and two live albums with CPR, as well as a string of solo albums and tours with Crosby, Stills & Nash. Overall this is a remarkable Classic Rock album, with every song just perfect, sublime singing and harmony, in short an instant classic. It is great to have it reissued and readily available again and since this is absolutely timeless music, anybody who missed at the time – here is an opportunity to make things right!

Updated: 25/02/2022Posted: 25/02/2022

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

CROSBY & NASH ~ ANOTHER STONEY EVENING BLUE CASTLE 852550031238 (Barcode: 852550031238) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1971 Released: 2011 This is the fifth album by the iconic duo of singer / songwriter friends, American David CrosbyFind albums by this artist and British Graham NashFind albums by this artist, who were also the core members of Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist and Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist. Although originally released in 1997, this is an archival release documenting a concert recording from October 10, 1971, before the duo was even formally formed and before they recorded their debut album. The album presents acoustic versions of fifteen songs, all but one written separately by Crosby and Nash and one co-written by Crosby, Paul KantnerFind albums by this artist and Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist. The entire performance features Crosby and Nash singing and playing acoustic guitars with the exception of one song on which Nash plays the piano. Most of the songs originate from the two solo albums released by Crosby and Nash earlier that year, and of course from the debut albums by Crosby, Stills & Nash and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, but a few appear here for the first time. The intimate duo versions of these songs are absolutely overwhelming and in some cases they offer the absolutely best renditions of these tunes ever. The superhuman telepathy that Crosby and Nash are able to achieve on stage is absolutely unique and matchless. Crosby and Nash were the voice of their generation (well, my generation too) and at that magical moment in the US history, when thousands strong audiences were actually listening to the lyrics and identifying with the messages was sadly very brief and would never return. The people in the audience, who are a part of this recording, took part in such spiritual experience. These fifteen songs are of course examples of some of the best songwriting of the era and they lost absolutely nothing of their charm, beauty and meaning over time. They are the proof that human voice and minimal instrumental accompaniment are enough to create miracles and move musical mountains. In retrospect this is obviously one the highlights of the entire illustrious career of Crosby and Nash, both individually and collectively and an iconic document of the era. For music lovers this is an essential piece of music history, which inevitably grows better with time.

Updated: 19/11/2018Posted: 19/11/2018

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

CROSBY & NASH ~ GRAHAM NASH / DAVID CROSBY ATLANTIC 081227992538 (Barcode: 081227992538) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1972 Released: 2008 This is the debut album by the celebrated team of singer / songwriter friends, American David CrosbyFind albums by this artist and British Graham NashFind albums by this artist. After the first split of Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist following the release of the seminal "Déjà VuFind albums with this title" album, all four members released solo albums and later on Crosby and Nash decided to form a duo and started to perform together with great artistic and commercial success, which led to the decision of formalizing the Crosby & NashFind albums by this artist moniker by recording an album together. After all it was the special affinity, both musical and personal, between Crosby and Nash, which led to Nash leaving The HolliesFind albums by this artist and moving to the US to join Crosby and Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist in order to create the magical triumvirate of Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist. On the album, in addition to both of them singing, Crosby also played guitars and Nash played keyboards. Many friends and musical peers took part in the recording, like guitarist Dave MasonFind albums by this artist, members of The Grateful DeadFind albums by this artist, the famous quartet of studio musicians called The SectionFind albums by this artist, which consisted of guitarist Danny KortchmarFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Craig DoergeFind albums by this artist, bassist Leland SklarFind albums by this artist and drummer Russell KunkelFind albums by this artist, and many others. The album presents eleven songs, six by Nash and five by Crosby. The album is dedicated to Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist. The songs written by Crosby were quite different from those Nash wrote; Crosby, a dreamer and melancholic, wrote heartwrenching, Bluesy tunes, which caused depression and gloom, whereas Nash was his spiritual "nemesis" and wrote absolutely perfect love songs and romantic ballads. It was the combination of the two, which created the special magic, which this album exemplifies, expressed by their vocal harmonies, which are unparalleled to this very day. These songs are all absolutely timeless and withstand the tides of time like stainless steel. Perfectly crafted, beautifully executed, full of harmony and offering meaningful lyrics, they are the epitome of song weaving, which is simply beyond trends, fads and fashions. In retrospect this album stands among the best achievements of the fruitful legacy created by Crosby and Nash, both individually and collectively. It is an absolute must in any decent Rock record collection and a part of music history that is out there waiting to be discovered by younger generations of music lovers. They don´t make music like this any more, but at least we can still enjoy these gems, before we are all covered by heaps of garbage and dirt.

Updated: 21/01/2019Posted: 03/06/2018

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

DAVID CROSBY ~ CROZ BLUE CASTLE 1142 (Barcode: 852550011421) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2014 Released: 2014 This is the fourth studio album by the iconic American singer / songwriter David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, released twenty one years after the release of its predecessor "Thousand RoadsFind albums with this title" (1993). Although some live recordings by Crosby, like the live album "It`s All Coming Back To Me Now...Find albums with this title" (1994) and other recordings with his old mates released as Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist and Crosby & NashFind albums by this artist, as well as the band CPRFind albums by this artist which he formed with his son singer / songwriter / keyboardist James RaymondFind albums by this artist, this solo album marks the end of an excruciatingly long wait for a new solo album by his many fans and followers. It also marks a renewed, almost feverish, span of activity which so far produced two additional new albums: "LighthouseFind albums with this title" and "Sky TrailsFind albums with this title". The album presents eleven songs, nine of which were written by Crosby or co-written by Crosby and Raymond and two which were written by Raymond. A great support band featuring Raymond (who also co-produced the album) on keyboards and other instruments, drummer Steve DiStanislaoFind albums by this artist, guitarist Marcus EatonFind albums by this artist, bassist Kevin McCormickFind albums by this artist and others and surprise appearances by guests like guitarist Mark KnopflerFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Wynton MarsalisFind albums by this artist create an ideal sonic environment for the songs. The album presents a sensational collection of beautiful songs, which match the creative juices that flew when Crosby wrote the material for his seminal debut album "If I Could Only Remember My NameFind albums with this title" forty three years earlier. Musically the album returns to the typical Crosby songwriting of low key introvert conversations with himself, with awe-inspiring melodic and harmonic contents. His vocals are expressive and touching like in the old times. The music and the texts are sublime and the contemporary production and superb instrumental work all add up to create one of the best Classic Rock albums recorded in the new Millennium. All Crosby fans around the world should find this simply irresistible. Of course Crosby´s figure has a meaning way beyond his musical activity. For people my age Crosby is a voice of a generation and in retrospect a symbol of the tragically short lived American cultural and social Revolution of the late 1960s, which is sadly almost completely forgotten by now. His recent activity is a proof that our generation is not completely dead yet, although the light at the end of the tunnel is getting dimmer. Everything Crosby touched during his lifetime eventually turned to gold, and this album is a classic of the genre, definitely worth returning to or being discovered by the generation of our children and grandchildren. Peace!

Updated: 18/01/2019Posted: 23/03/2018

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

DAVID CROSBY ~ HERE IF YOU LISTEN BMG 4050538429534 (Barcode: 4050538429534) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 It seems that David Crosby experienced a miraculous rejuvenation process since the mid-2010s, as he comes back with his seventh studio album, and fourth consecutive release since "CrozFind albums with this title" (2014), followed by "LighthouseFind albums with this title" (2016), "Sky TrailsFind albums with this title" (2017) and now "Here If You ListenFind albums with this title" (2018), a truly incredible proficiency and productivity, considering his age. It gives me an immense pleasure to be able to write about a new Crosby release as one of my first reviews in a New Year, now for the third time. This album, although musically a consistent continuation of Crosby´s life-long musical path, is quite different from his previous releases, since contrary to the credit that Crosby receives on the album´s cover, it is in fact a genuine team effort. It was recorded in an intimate quartet setting with Michael LeagueFind albums by this artist, Becca StevensFind albums by this artist and Michelle WillisFind albums by this artist, called the Lighthouse BandFind albums by this artist since these musicians took part in the recording of the A/M "Lighthouse" album. All four participants sing and play a plethora of instruments (bar drums!) and co-wrote ten of the eleven songs on the album, with the exception of the timeless "Woodstock" by Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist, which gets here a marvelous new treatment. The music is a magical trip back to the spirit of the 1960s, in the best possible meaning of the idiom, full of superb melodies, intelligent lyrics and sublime vocal harmonies, which are every bit as effective as those appearing on the groundbreaking debut album by Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist. It is almost impossible to believe that this music was created in 2018, as my belief in the ability to create anything as musical as this by contemporary musicians has been almost completely lost over time. Perhaps Crosby´s aura inspired these young people and catalyzed this extraordinary event. Whatever the reasons behind it, this album is a 100% bona fide Classic Rock and an instant essential listening. It is also a classic example of the victory of spirit over matter, talent over age and light over darkness. As joyful and blissful this music might be, sadly it only emphasizes the musical void that surround us. Go David and God Bless!

Updated: 18/01/2019Posted: 18/01/2019

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

DAVID CROSBY ~ IT`S ALL COMING BACK TO ME NOW... ATLANTIC 075678262029 (Barcode: 075678262029) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1993 Released: 1994 This is the first live album by the iconic American singer / songwriter David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, recorded in December 1993 during the tour promoting the studio album "Thousand RoadsFind albums with this title" released a few months earlier. Crosby is accompanied by a dreamy band, which features guitarist Jeff PevarFind albums by this artist, bassist James HutchinsonFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Michael FinniganFind albums by this artist and drummer Jody CortezFind albums by this artist. Two vocalists: Graham NashFind albums by this artist & Kipp LennonFind albums by this artist sing beautiful harmonies with Crosby on the last three tracks and Chris RobinsonFind albums by this artist sings lead and backing vocals on one track. The album presents ten songs, all written or co-written by Crosby, two of which are previously unrecorded and the rest originate from the first three solo albums by Crosby and the Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist and Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist debut albums. The album is of course an essential Classic Rock performance, with Crosby and the band being in superb form and the sound of the recording representing accurately what was happening on the stage. In a way it is a summary of the first phase of Crosby´s illustrious career, beautifully presenting both his songwriting and performing talents. This album was followed by two decades of silence, as far as Crosby´s solo recording career was concerned. Crosby was and still undoubtedly is a voice of his (and mine) generation, not only as a composer but also as a lyricist, who touches upon subjects mostly ignored by the entertainment industry. His social consciousness was one of the most prominent voices of its kind in America, and although the American Social revolution of the late 1960s failed miserably, his statements will remain as historical evidence that some people at least cared and tried. This music is absolutely timeless of course and it sounds today way better than the "musical" rubbish the world is drowning in. For Crosby followers this is an essential part of his legacy, but every Classic Rock fan should be able to enjoy this album in full!

Updated: 18/01/2019Posted: 26/10/2018

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

DAVID CROSBY ~ LIGHTHOUSE VERVE 602557238686 (Barcode: 602557238686) ~ USA ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 A couple of years ago (in 2014) legendary singer / songwriter David CrosbyFind albums by this artist of the ByrdsFind albums by this artist and Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist fame, released his fourth studio album ("CrozFind albums with this title") after twenty one years of silence, and forty three years after the release of his debut album, which means that his average output is one album every eleven years give or take a year. And now, against all odds and just two years later, he´s back with another album, his fifth studio effort, with nine great new songs! Although released under Crosby´s name, the album is actually a duo effort, with Crosby co-writing most of the songs and performing them with Michael LeagueFind albums by this artist, bassist, guitarist and the leader of the instrumental group Snarky PuppyFind albums by this artist. Most of the songs feature just Crosby singing and playing acoustic guitar and League accompanying him on various guitars and bass and singing backing vocals. Crosby´s voice, which I had the immense pleasure to listen to live last year (2015), is remarkably steady and clear, although his range is obviously limited by age and he does not use his dramatic falsetto any more. Nevertheless he is still a formidable performer and the intimate setting of this album suits him ideally. The songs are all very good, both musically and lyrically. Although the times when songs had to have a great melody and intelligent lyrics are long forgotten, Crosby still adheres to this golden formula, which is a blessing. His natural melancholy and deep lyricism are still intact and the songs reflect these qualities, as they always did over the years. Considering the fact that the generation of great musicians, to which Crosby belongs, is being depleted on a daily basis, the fact that Crosby is still with us, in spite of his serious heath problems over the years, is a true miracle. For us, mere followers of his musical journeys, this album is like winning a lottery, which makes getting older just a bit easier for a while. Keep on, David! God Bless!

Updated: 18/01/2019Posted: 02/01/2017

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

CROSBY, STILLS & NASH ~ 2012 CSN 851813004095 (Barcode: 851813004095) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2012 Released: 2012 This is a stunning live album by the iconic Classic Rock group Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist captured on audio and video during their 2012 tour on April 22, 2012 at The Performing Arts Center, San Luis Obispo, CA. The album offers over two and a half hours of sublime music (on two CDs and a DVD), with some bonus DVD footage featuring interviews with David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist and Graham NashFind albums by this artist. The trio is accompanied by a terrific band, which includes keyboardists James RaymondFind albums by this artist and Todd CaldwellFind albums by this artist, guitarist Shane FontayneFind albums by this artist, bassist Kevin McCormickFind albums by this artist and drummer Steve DiStanislaoFind albums by this artist. The album presents twenty five songs, which span the entire Crosby, Stills & Nash recording career as well as the individual recording careers of the three legends. The three heroes appear completely ageless and although both Crosby and Nash have white hair (Stills admits to dyeing his), they are full of energy and vigor and most importantly their voices are in top form, both individually and harmonically, to the delight of the audience present at the show and of course everybody who can listen to this album subsequently. Stills also plays some amazing guitar licks, proving again that he is one of the most original Rock guitarists, a fact that is sadly often forgotten. I had the immense please to be present at a Crosby, Stills & Nash concert during their 2015 tour, and the same divine experience was repeated again. The music is of course absolutely Godly from start to finish and the fact that these three musicians managed to achieve so much in their lifetimes is both amazing and miraculous. There are absolutely no week moments on this album and a devoted fan like myself finds himself mesmerized and unable to detach himself from the music even for a moment. Although there are many superb Rock albums around, this audio / video package is certainly one of the finest around and an absolute must for the group´s fans and connoisseurs. If any Rock group deserves the title of "The Voice of a Generation", this is the one without a shadow of a doubt.

Updated: 19/01/2019Posted: 19/01/2019

2CD+DVD 3 Digipak Box Set Recommend To A Friend

CROSBY, STILLS & NASH ~ AFTER THE STORM ATLANTIC 075678265426 (Barcode: 075678265426) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1994 Released: 1994 This is the fifth (and so far the last) studio album by the iconic Classic Rock trio Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist. This album celebrated the 25th Anniversary of their legendary debut album and its release was followed by extensive touring. Assisted by a plethora of guest musicians, like keyboardists Craig DoergeFind albums by this artist and Michael FinniganFind albums by this artist, bassist James HutchinsonFind albums by this artist, and also including two Stills´ children and son of the album´s producer, the trio managed to produce eleven splendid new songs, two by David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, four by Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist, three by Graham NashFind albums by this artist and two co-written by Crosby with Nash or Stills. The only song coming from outside the group is an adaptation of a BeatlesFind albums by this artist song. Although poorly received both by the critics and the fans at the time, the music is characterized by the usual amazing vocal harmonies, great melodies and superb instrumental work, which is as good anything they recorded earlier, but might have sounded dated by (then) contemporary listeners. Mature and more experienced, the trio members might have lost some of their spontaneity and edge, but definitely gained finesse and sensitivity, and most importantly depth. The lyrics remain powerful and meaningful, and are an integral part of the overall artistic delivery. In historical perspective this album sadly remains overshadowed by the early work of the trio and the fact that it was released at the time when Classic Rock was being pushed out by other (then) contemporary musical trends, which in time led to the annihilation of Rock Music at large. For the true fans and connoisseurs of the trio´s recorded works, this album is an absolute must of course.

Updated: 02/02/2019Posted: 02/02/2019

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

CROSBY, STILLS & NASH ~ CROSBY, STILLS & NASH (EXPANDED EDITION) RHINO 081227329020 (Barcode: 081227329020) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1969 Released: 2006 This is a reissue of the legendary eponymous debut album by Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist. David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist and Graham NashFind albums by this artist play all the instruments and sing the divine vocal harmonies all by themselves, except for the drum parts played by Dallas TaylorFind albums by this artist. This expanded and remastered edition adds four previously unreleased songs to the ten original masterpieces included on the original album. What can I say about this album that has not been said already? Probably not much other than my very personal experiences, which are some of the most significant parts of the puzzle called "The Soundtrack Of My Life". Upon its release in May of 1969, the album became an immediate favorite of mine, lasting to this very day (almost fifty years now) and I will probably take it with me to my grave. Although all the ingredients that make this album what it is were scattered around for a while, before it was recorded, this particular amalgam of songwriting, vocal harmony, lyrical depth and pure genius was simply unprecedented. Of course The ByrdsFind albums by this artist, The Buffalo SpringfieldFind albums by this artist and The HolliesFind albums by this artist made superb music earlier on, but the magical bond that Crosby, Stills & Nash created was definitely an outcome way more significant than a simple sum of its ingredients. Considering the fact that part of the music on this album consists of vocals accompanied just by acoustic guitars points out that simplicity is definitely a key ingredient. The other songs, which use electric instruments, all played by Stills, are also quite straightforward. The only true complexity is reflected in the vocal harmonies, which are a first of its kind fusion of the American Country & Western vocal tradition and the splendid British Folk vocal tradition, masterly combined to create a new level of vocal virtuosity never previously attempted. Even the album´s cover is perfect; an astounding photograph by the great Henry DiltzFind albums by this artist, which was a mistake (figure it out) which could not be corrected as the house in the photograph was torn down the day after these pictures were taken. Talking about capturing moments in history… A few weeks after this album was released, Crosby, Stills & Nash would appear on the stage at Woodstock, joined by Neil YoungFind albums by this artist, and another piece of musical history would be made. So here it is, an icon of my youth (I wasn´t even eighteen when this album was released), which became an icon of my life, an eternal piece of musical perfection, which grabs me by my throat every time I listen to it, relentlessly after all those years.

Updated: 05/03/2017Posted: 05/03/2017

CD 1 HDCD Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

CROSBY, STILLS & NASH ~ CSN ATLANTIC 075678265020 (Barcode: 075678265020) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1976 - 1977 Released: 1994 This is the second studio album by the iconic Classic Rock trio Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist. During the eight years that separate the trio´s eponymous debut album and this sophomore release the trio members were involved in the quartet Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist recordings, solo recordings and the Crosby & NashFind albums by this artist duo recordings among other activities, but did not manage to record together as a trio, which of course caused this album to be highly anticipated at the time. Assisted by a plethora of guest musicians like drummers Joe VitaleFind albums by this artist and Russell KunkelFind albums by this artist, keyboardists Craig DoergeFind albums by this artist and Michael FinniganFind albums by this artist, bassist George PerryFind albums by this artist and even including a string section, the trio managed to produce twelve splendid new songs, three by David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, five by Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist and four by Graham NashFind albums by this artist, which stand up to the level of the material included on the legendary debut album. The music is characterized by the usual amazing vocal harmonies, great melodies and superb instrumental work, creating an instant classic, which in retrospect turned out to be the trio´s all time best selling album, outselling even the legendary debut. Mature and more experienced, the trio members might have lost some of their spontaneity and edge, but definitely gained finesse and sensitivity, and most importantly depth. The lyrics remain powerful and meaningful, and are an integral part of the overall artistic delivery. The four songs by Nash turn out to be the strongest songs on the album, especially so the epic "Cathedral", which is probably his strongest song written after leaving the Hollies. But all the songs on this album are up to par with the usual standard expected from these great Artists. In historical perspective this album sadly remains overshadowed by the early work of the trio and the fact that it was released at the time when Classic Rock was being pushed out by other (then) contemporary musical trends, which in time led to the annihilation of Rock Music at large. For the fans and connoisseurs of the trio´s recorded works, this album is an absolute must of course.

Updated: 25/01/2019Posted: 25/01/2019

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

CROSBY, STILLS & NASH ~ CSN (BOX SET) ATLANTIC 081227973230 (Barcode: 081227973230) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1968 - 1991 Released: 2013 Although released under the Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist moniker, this wonderful; 4CD compilation Box Set presents a selection of tracks that include also recordings by Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist, solo recordings by David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist and Graham NashFind albums by this artist, recordings by the Crosby & NashFind albums by this artist duo, recordings by the group ManassasFind albums by this artist led by Stills and even a Stills & NashFind albums by this artist track, all captured on tape between 1968 and 1991. Of the seventy seven tracks included in this compilation, twenty five are previously unreleased, which is a perfectly good reason to own it, in addition of course to the obvious reason that it includes some of the best music even recorded on this planet. The Box Set includes also a wonderful booklet with an essay and detailed information about each of the tracks. Obviously this is a career summary of these incredible musicians, which clearly proves that they were a true Classic Rock legends, individually and collectively. Their superb output created over a period of two decades has almost no parallels and is to this very day part of the essence of what we now refer to as Classic Rock. Luckily for us, music lovers, all four of these musical heroes continued to create wonderful music after this collection was released, and now we are able to enjoy five decades of their collective and individual creations, which continue to be exciting, diverse and intellectually challenging. This Box Set is the best and most comprehensive collection so far of the early period of Crosby, Stills & Nash output and a exquisite introduction to their music for the new generation of listeners, but also a nice addition to any complete collection of their recording thanks to those unreleased tracks it includes. Worth its weight in gold!

Updated: 29/01/2019Posted: 25/01/2019

CD 4 Slipcase Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

CROSBY, STILLS & NASH ~ DAYLIGHT AGAIN (EXPANDED EDITION) RHINO 081227329525 (Barcode: 081227329525) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1980 - 1982 Released: 2006 This is a reissue of the third studio album by the seminal group Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist, recorded five years after it predecessor "CSNFind albums with this title" and thirteen years after the release of their sensational eponymous debut album. The album presents eleven new songs, all written individually or collectively by members of the group with occasional collaborations originating form outside the group. This expanded edition adds four previously unreleased tracks. The album started out as a Stills and Nash effort and Crosby joined shortly before the album was completed, which somewhat limits his input, but for the fans of the group this has little meaning since the most important ingredient of the Crosby, Stills & Nash magic, i.e. the vocal harmonies, are still here and are as convincing as ever. This album did not produce any great Rock anthems, like their debut, simply because the world and the music changed in the meantime and the age of brainwashing was already eating away the very last signs of intelligence on Earth, but in retrospect this album offers many very good songs, perfectly executed and beautifully sung, all of which are still valid today. Since most people missed this album when it was originally released, the fact that it is available again is a great opportunity to get to know it, better late than never. Personally everything these wonderful musicians ever put on record is a piece of history, which is worth hearing. Sometimes this is the only music that can make the world look slightly less gloomy than it really is…

Updated: 05/03/2017Posted: 16/01/2017

CD 1 HDCD Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

CROSBY, STILLS & NASH ~ DEMOS RHINO 79854 (Barcode: 081227986438) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1968 - 1971 Released: 2009 My initial expectations from this album were somewhat mixed. As much as I love the music Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist made over the years this seemed as yet another attempt to capitalize on some irrelevant material by the music magnates. Boy was I wrong! This is truly magnificent stuff, which made me literally shed a tear while listening. These demo versions of songs that we all are familiar with in their fully developed versions recorded later by the group, are wonderful examples of the talent and imagination these three musicians possessed. Most of the album is just the songwriter singing solo with an acoustic guitar accompaniment and it´s truly amazing how much music can be delivered under such minimalistic circumstances. Their voices in the full magnificence of their youth, full of life, joy and even optimism (in spite of the serious and often melancholic subject matter) are heartbreaking and sadly remind me about time passing by way to quickly and all of us getting mercilessly old. But never mind my personal nostalgic perspective; this is magnificent music created in unusual, inspired times, which stays relevant in full, a musical naked truth! Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 21/01/2019Posted:

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve HDCD Remastered Recommend To A Friend

CROSBY, STILLS & NASH ~ LIVE IN L.A. IMMORTAL 8712177052240 (Barcode: 8712177052240) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1982 Released: 2007 This is a little known, although seemingly perfectly legal live album by the iconic Classic Rock group Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist recorded during their 1982 tour which promoted their third studio album "Daylight AgainFind albums with this title". They were accompanied by a great band which included guitarist Michael StergisFind albums by this artist, keyboardists Michael FinniganFind albums by this artist and James Newton HowardFind albums by this artist, bassist George PerryFind albums by this artist, drummer Joe VitaleFind albums by this artist and percussionist Efrain ToroFind albums by this artist. The shows were taped and filmed for a TV special on the Thanksgiving Day weekend in November 1982 at the New Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, CA and later released as a home video also entitled "Daylight Again". This 2CD album originates from the audio recordings and presents twenty one songs. Some of the songs included here were also included on the Crosby, Stills & Nash first formal live album "AlliesFind albums with this title" released in 1983. The trio and the band are in superb form and go through the material included on their three albums as well as material recorded by the Crosby & Nash duo and their solo albums. The superb vocal harmonies and excellent instrumental work turn this album into a classic display of the combined talents of these superbly gifted musicians that sounds as good decades later as it did at the time of its recording. Some of the songs included here don´t exist in live versions on any other recording by the group. In retrospect it is a wonderful document of the Crosby, Stills & Nash musical ingenuity, which has almost no equals in quality and class among their musical cohorts over the decades. With superb sound quality, top notch material and brilliant performances this album is a breeze of fresh air among contemporary clatter which is considered music by some people. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 19/01/2019Posted: 19/01/2019

CD 2 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

CROSBY, STILLS & NASH ~ LIVE IT UP ATLANTIC 075678210723 (Barcode: 075678210723) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1989 - 1990 Released: 1990 This is the fourth studio album by the iconic Classic Rock trio Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist. This album started as a Crosby & NashFind albums by this artist project, which than evolved into a trio album with Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist. Assisted by a plethora of guest musicians, like keyboardist Craig DoergeFind albums by this artist, bassist Bob GlaubFind albums by this artist, drummer Joe VitaleFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Branford MarsalisFind albums by this artist and others, the trio managed to produce ten splendid new songs, mostly co-written by the trio members, members of the band and other musicians / friends. Although poorly received both by the critics and the fans at the time, the music is characterized by the usual amazing vocal harmonies, great melodies and superb instrumental work, which is as good as anything they recorded earlier. The 1980s production techniques, synthesized sounds and other atrocities of the time are definitely present, hindering the intrinsic beauty of the music, but to be fair they can be discarded and ignored, certainly in a retrospective glimpse. Perhaps the trio members could have stuck to the acoustic approach and Classic Rock aesthetics, but if they did, they would have been accused of being outdated. You can´t win with the critics. In historical perspective this album sadly remains overshadowed by the early work of the trio and the fact that it was released at the time when Classic Rock was being pushed out by other (then) contemporary musical trends, which in time led to the annihilation of Rock Music at large. For the true fans and connoisseurs of the trio´s recorded works, this album is an absolute must of course.

Updated: 14/02/2019Posted: 14/02/2019

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

CROSBY, STILLS & NASH ~ UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY HALL, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 18, 1989 ROX VOX 1004 (Barcode: 5292317100428) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1989 Released: 2015 This is a live recording of a concert by the iconic Classic Rock trio of singers / songwriters Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist, captured at the UN General Assembly Hall in NY. They play and sing twenty of their sublime songs which span the entire career starting with their debut album together and including their trio and solo efforts up to the time this album was recorded. All the songs appear in their acoustic versions, since there are no other musicians present. The entire concert spans over two CDs. In many respects this is one of the best if not the best concert recording by the trio ever captured. All three are in superb form both musically and vocally and also obviously in good spirits. The relaxed atmosphere, perfect sound quality and the depth of the material are simply spine chilling. The three-part harmonies are here as are many other Crosby, Still & Nash timeless trademarks, musical and otherwise. This album is not only about music. Considering the fact that this was a benefit concert for Children of The Americas, one of many benefit show the trio played over the years, it emphasizes the social and political awareness and involvement that these three legendary figures, as human and full of faults and vices as all of us, and yet always open minded and heartfelt toward other people. Overall this is an absolute must have to all Crosby, Still & Nash many fans and admirers, which closes a gap their officially released albums did not cover that well over the years. There is no one unnecessary note, word, breath or spoken word here that is not worth hearing or being remembered! Side Note Obiterdictum Ltd, a company based in Cyprus (oh well you know the story… copyright laws and legal issues) releases mostly live recorded radio broadcasts from the 1960s on and offers an amazing source of music which was never officially released by some of the best Classic Rock and Jazz artists. The catalogue offers five hundred releases, which is an absolute treasure chest of music history, often appearing for the first time. Although the sound quality and sometimes also music quality range from absolutely brilliant to pretty poor, most of the material is surely listenable, especially after being remastered recently, and more importantly offers music which is not available elsewhere. The company releases the albums under several sub-labels: Air CutsFind albums on this label, EchoesFind albums on this label, Hi HatFind albums on this label, HotspurFind albums on this label, InterferenceFind albums on this label, KeyholeFind albums on this label, KlondikeFind albums on this label, Live On VinylFind albums on this label, London CallingFind albums on this label, OrbitFind albums on this label, Rox VoxFind albums on this label and Sound StageFind albums on this label. There is no ironclad logic as to what material appears on which label, except perhaps some internal considerations by the Obiterdictum owners. Approach with caution, but keep in mind that some of these releases are absolutely brilliant!

Updated: 21/05/2019Posted: 21/05/2019

CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG ~ 4 WAY STREET ATLANTIC 075678240829 (Barcode: 075678240829) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 1992 This is the first live album by the iconic Classic Rock band Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist, recorded during the 1970 tour promoting their debut album "Déjà VuFind albums with this title". The four band members are accompanied by bassist Calvin SamuelsFind albums by this artist and drummer Johnny BarbataFind albums by this artist. The album was originally released as a double LP, with the first LP including acoustic performances in various configurations and the second LP including electric performances by the full band. When first released on CD (as a double CD) in 1992, the first CD was expanded to include four additional individual acoustic performances. Additional tracks recorded during this tour were later released on the "CSN (Box Set)Find albums with this title" compilation. The material includes songs from the debut album by the group as well as songs from the debut album by Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist. In addition songs from solo albums by all four members, which were still unrecorded or unreleased at that time, were also included. Despite the enormous tension and personal dispute between the band members, the performances are all perfectly executed, as expected. The acoustic and electric sides of the band´s "personality" are representative of their collective immense talent both as musicians and performers. In retrospect it is interesting to compare these youthful performances with the later renditions of the same songs in order to follow the development of these wonderful artists over the years and watch them gracefully getting mature and even old, without losing any of their talent or artistic integrity. For the numerous fans and followers of the group this is an essential piece of their legacy!

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: 21/01/2019

CD 2 Recommend To A Friend

CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG ~ CSNY 1974 RHINO 081227960353 (Barcode: 081227960353) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1974 Released: 2014 This magnificent Box Set is the document of the legendary 1974 tour by the seminal Classic Rock group Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist. Organized by the no less legendary Rock impresario Bill GrahamFind albums by this artist, the tour lasted between July 9th 1974 and September 14th 1974, totaling in 31 shows. An additional one-off show was also played on December 14, 1974. Overall this was the most extensive tour ever attempted by a Rock act to that date. The group was assisted by three additional musicians: bassist Tim DrummondFind albums by this artist, drummer Russell KunkelFind albums by this artist and percussionist Joe LalaFind albums by this artist. The Box Set consists of three CDs and a DVD, which are a selection from the music recorded and filmed during the tour. CDs 1 and 3 offer electric sets and CD 2 offers a purely acoustic set. The Box Set also includes a marvelous 188-page book with information and beautiful photographs. The entire Box Set is an obvious labor of love, mostly invested by Graham NashFind albums by this artist, who became a de facto group archivist and Joel BernsteinFind albums by this artist who was in charge of some superb productions over the years. The three CDs offer an amazing collection of forty songs, which in retrospect are some of the finest songs ever written, not only by the Mighty Four, but in the general Classic Rock idiom´s time span. They include of course material from the debut Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist album and the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young album, as well as from the individual solo albums recorded by the group members. Some of the songs present in this box have never been released in their live version before. The sound quality and the individual performances captured on these recordings are some of the finest Classic Rock moments ever recorded. Every word and every sound are just perfect and exactly what is needed at the given moment. The intimacy and camaraderie between the group members and the rapport they manage to create with the audience are simply stellar. The four decades that separate the dates of the recording of these concerts and the date of the release of this Box Set did not manage to take an iota off the glory, beauty and artistry of the music presented here. The world managed to sink into darkness and stupidity, and as a result this music shines even brighter now than it did at the time of its creation. Thank God for the invention of sound recording. This Box Set proudly joins the great Classic Rock live recordings heritage that keeps some of us mentally alive today.

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: 20/01/2019

3CD+DVD 4 Digipak Box Set Recommend To A Friend

CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG ~ DÉJÀ VU ATLANTIC 075678264924 (Barcode: 075678264924) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1969 - 1970 Released: 1994 This is the debut album by the iconic Classic Rock band Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist, considered as one of the most important and pivotal Rock albums of all time. The group combined four young (at the time) Rock stars: the hippie dreamer David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, the folksy / bluesy Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist, the elegant, intellectual and romantic Brit Graham NashFind albums by this artist and the tough rocker Neil YoungFind albums by this artist, all four blessed with extraordinary voices and sublime songwriting talents. This unique combination of musical personalities already tested and perfected within the Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist framework was simply matchless by any contemporary Rock group at the time. This highly anticipated album, following the instant fame and glory of the group due to their stellar Woodstock Festival appearance proved to be everything that might have been expected and more. Assisted by bassist Greg ReevesFind albums by this artist and drummer Dallas TaylorFind albums by this artist (and a brief contributions by Jerry GarciaFind albums by this artist and John SebastianFind albums by this artist) they recorded nine original songs (two by each of the group members and one co-written by Stills and Young) and the cherry on top in the form of the Woodstock Generation anthem, the Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist song "Woodstock" inspired by the festival´s events. The music is a prefect blend of vocal harmonies and instrumental work, which renders sublimely the beauty and the depth of the compositions. The clever and meaningful lyrics add another layer to the musical framework, creating a set of songs, which in time became anthems not only in the long and successful career of the group and its individual members, but more importantly reached a legendary status of Anthems of a Generation, which firmly stands to this very day. It is very difficult to understand what makes this album to stand out from thousands of other recordings of the period. Beyond the above mentioned objective reasons, which contribute to its success, there are also additional factors, historical, social, psychological and even philosophical. This album defines a specific moment in American history, in which the "American Values" were seriously questioned, perhaps for the first time. The anguish and the confusion of the young generation (in America, but also in the entire world for that matter) were perfectly echoed in the songs by the Classic Rock Artists, who were the bards and often the prophets of their generation, continuing the process initiated in the 1950s by the Beat Generation and continued by the Protest Poets of the 1960 (Woody GuthrieFind albums by this artist, Bob DylanFind albums by this artist). Sadly that poignant moment of American history proved to be brief, and tragically insignificant in retrospect. The mass media and political / social processes proved to be most successful in turning the American public into a mindless mob. Now, almost fifty years after it´s release, this is still a sublime piece of music, which deserves to be cherished, remembered and repeatedly re-visited by every sensitive, open-minded cultural person on this planet.

Updated: 21/01/2019Posted: 21/01/2019

CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG ~ LIVE AT FILLMORE EAST, 1969 RHINO 603497839612 (Barcode: 603497839612) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1969 Released: 2024 This is an archival live album by the iconic Rock band Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist, considered as one of the most important and pivotal Rock groups of all time. The group combined four young (at the time) Rock stars: the hippie dreamer David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, the folksy / bluesy Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist, the elegant, intellectual and romantic Brit Graham NashFind albums by this artist and the tough rocker Neil YoungFind albums by this artist, all four blessed with extraordinary voices and sublime songwriting talents. This unique combination of musical personalities already tested and perfected within the Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist framework was simply matchless by any contemporary Rock group at the time. This album, recorded on September 20, 1969, before the debut album by the band was released, finds them in the light of the instant fame and glory, due to their stellar Woodstock Festival appearance a month earlier. The previously unreleased material presents seventeen tracks, which follows their show pattern of acoustic set (eleven tracks) and electric set (six tracks), where the quartet is assisted by bassist Greg ReevesFind albums by this artist and drummer Dallas TaylorFind albums by this artist. The obvious comparison between this recording and the Woodstock performance shows how much progress these musicians made in just one month, perfecting the vocal harmonies and getting the show together. Playing the Woodstock and these Fillmore versions opposite each other is a schoolbook exercise, for the very patient music enthusiasts, and a great fun. Although this album does not offer anything previously unheard, it is as perfect as any fan of CSN&Y could ask for, with impeccable performances and absolutely stunning sound quality and clarity. As such, it expands the historical document of the era (late 1969), when music making was at the epicenter of the cultural platform and before everything turned sour. Overall, this is an incredible find, which for people who had been lucky to experience this music in real time is absolutely priceless. If there is Godly Rock music, this is it, no questions asked. Beyond essential!

Updated: 19/11/2024Posted: 19/11/2024

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG ~ LOOKING FORWARD REPRISE 093624743620 (Barcode: 093624743620) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1997 - 1999 Released: 1999 This is the third (and so far the last) studio album by the iconic Classic Rock group Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist. The album was initially planned as the next Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist album, but at a later stage Young joined the trio and contributed his playing and material to turn this into a bona fide quartet album. The four singers / songwriters are supported by keyboardist Michael FinniganFind albums by this artist, bassist Donald DunnFind albums by this artist, drummer Joe VitaleFind albums by this artist, percussionist Joe LalaFind albums by this artist and several other guests. The album presents twelve songs, recorded over a period of almost three years between 1997 and 1999, all bar one written or co-written by the group members, with David CrosbyFind albums by this artist contributing two songs, Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist three songs, Graham NashFind albums by this artist two songs and Neil YoungFind albums by this artist four songs. The last song was written by guitarist Denny SarokinFind albums by this artist, who also plays on the album. Personal conflicts, ego wars and genuine problems prevented Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young from fulfilling their tremendous potential and the fact that they managed to record only three studio albums is a travesty. "Looking Forward" sadly did not become prophetic as far as the quartet was concerned, although they did play several tours as a quartet in the years that followed. If any other group wrote and recorded these twelve songs they would have been considered as excellent, but sadly in comparison to their glorious past these songs, which also suffered from the uneven production, sound somewhat pale and underachieved, which gave both the critics and even the faithful fans plenty of opportunity to bitch bitterly, although it performed better in the charts than its predecessor "American DreamFind albums with this title". To be fair, in retrospect the album is not that bad at all, surely not in comparison to what passes as music these days. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young did not loose their ability to compose superb melodies, write meaningful lyrics and sing sublime vocal harmonies, which can all be found on this album. The album sounds quite nice and surprisingly stands the test of time relatively well, especially so the David Crosby and Graham Nash songs, which are up to par with their usual classics. Overall this is perhaps not the greatest recording by these iconic musicians, but definitely an album worth to be remembered and re-visited periodically, making sure it is not forgotten.

Updated: 02/02/2019Posted: 02/02/2019

CD 1 HDCD Recommend To A Friend

ECHOLYN ~ I HEARD YOU LISTENING NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 888295300919) ~ USA ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2013 - 2015 Released: 2015 This is the tenth album by the iconic American Neo-Progressive Rock group EcholynFind albums by this artist, founded in 1989 and still consisting of the founding members: guitarist / vocalist Brett KullFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Christopher BuzbyFind albums by this artist, vocalist Raymond WestonFind albums by this artist, bassist Thomas HyattFind albums by this artist and drummer Paul RamseyFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original songs, all co-credited collectively to the band members. Musically Echolyn have been one of the most consistent Neo-Prog bands of all time, staying within a stylistic niche based on beautiful melodies, vocal harmonies and powerful instrumental backing, which changed very little over the years. It incorporates many classic American Rock influences, which makes them often sound like Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist in their heyday, with a slightly more complex instrumental accompaniment. They usually do not offer extended instrumental improvisations, which many other Prog groups specialize in, which is all for the best as these tend to be deadly boring. The songs tend to be very melancholic and sometimes even somber, full of prevailing imminent doom, which is also reflected in the abstract, prophetic lyrics. Although this music presents nothing innovative or unexpected, it is definitely excellently weaved together and constitutes an uncompromising Artistic statement. At the time of writing (2019) this is the last album Echolyn recorded so far, which of course keeps their numerous fans in suspense and anticipation of a new work, hopefully arriving soon. Overall the album offers a fascinating listening experience and deserves, together with their earlier albums, to become a part of every decent Prog record collection. Warmly recommended!

Updated: 21/09/2021Posted: 31/07/2019

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

MEADOWS END ~ MEADOWS END (30TH ANNIVERSARY EXPANDED EDITION) NMC (ISRAEL) 81905 (Barcode: 7290010932894) ~ ISRAEL ~ Folk-Rock Recorded: 1976 - 1977 Released: 2006 Only album by the Israeli trio Meadows EndFind albums by this artist, which was the first and almost solitary attempt to create a local answer to the Folk / Rock genre. Beautiful vocal harmonies and acoustic guitars resemble of course the work of groups like Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist, but the music is completely original. All three members of the group were very accomplished singers and instrumentalists, this in addition to being songwriters and musical arrangers. They worked for over a year to collect and polish the material recorded on this album, which at the time was considered vastly advanced musically. Unfortunately the group disbanded shortly after the album was released and remained almost completely forgotten in the last 30 years. Listening to this music clearly shows the brilliant qualities captured on tape many years ago, which remain unblemished and are quite breathtaking even now. Bringing this forgotten gem back to life is most warmly welcome and kudos to the label for unearthing this important document of the local music scene. For lovers of the Israeli music created during the local scene’s Renaissance Days in the 1970s this is an absolute must.

Updated: 31/07/2019Posted:

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

GRAHAM NASH ~ EARTH & SKY MAGIC 3700139305003 (Barcode: 3700139305003) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1979 Released: 2001 This is the third solo album by British singer / songwriter Graham NashFind albums by this artist, one of the greatest Classic Rock icons of all times. Nash maintained a more or less steady solo career in parallel to his activity as a member of Crosby & NashFind albums by this artist, Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist and Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten original songs, all written (music and lyrics) by Nash with one song co-written with American singer / songwriter / multi-instrumentalist Joe VitaleFind albums by this artist, who also plays on the album. The numerous musicians who took part in recording of the album include also bassist Tim DrummondFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Craig DoergeFind albums by this artist and guitarist David LindleyFind albums by this artist. David CrosbyFind albums by this artist plays guitar on one tune and sings backing vocals on two and Stephen StillFind albums by this artist plays guitar on one tune. The album offers an excellent collection of typical Nash songs, based on wonderful melodic motifs and supported by intelligent and often politically oriented lyrics. The superb team of musicians creates a wonderful example of Classic Rock atmosphere, which by the time this album was released was almost completely abandoned by the music scene. The album is full of excellent instrumental performances and superb soloing, in addition to heartwrenching lead vocal parts by Nash himself. In retrospect this is one of the strongest solo efforts by Nash and the fact that it is almost completely forgotten these days is a crying shame. It serves as a closing chapter of the 1970s for Nash´s solo career, which except for the relatively less important mid 1980s album "Innocent Eyes" will have to wake for more than a coupe of decades to flourish again. For the many Nash fans, this forgotten gem is definitely worth to be revisited, although it is not easy to be found. Listening to it almost four decades after it was released was a joyful experience for me, which I recommend to all Classic Rock fans. They don´t make music like this any more and since the mold is almost lost, let´s keep this music alive as long as we can!

Updated: 18/11/2018Posted: 18/11/2018

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

GRAHAM NASH ~ SONGS FOR BEGINNERS ATLANTIC 081227977078 (Barcode: 081227977078) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1971 Released: 2011 This is the debut solo album by British singer / songwriter Graham NashFind albums by this artist, one of the 20th Century Classic Rock icons, who is still active today. After a glorious career in the UK as a member of the legendary group The HolliesFind albums by this artist, Nash moved to the USA to join David CrosbyFind albums by this artist and Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist (and later Neil YoungFind albums by this artist) to form one of the most influential Classic Rock bands in history: Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist (and Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist). Nash was decisively the catalyst and bonding element of these bands, with his British Cultural background, lyricism and superb feel of vocal harmony, as well as his personal manners and attitude, which was often in complete contrast to his American partners. This album was recorded in wake of the success of the CSN&Y debut album "Déjà VuFind albums with this title" released in 1970, which prompted all four members of the band to release solo albums, all of which were superb pieces of musical ingenuity. In retrospect, however, this album and David Crosby´s "If I Could Only Remember My NameFind albums with this title" stand out as icons of the era. The album presents eleven original songs, all written (music and lyrics) by Nash, except for one which was co-written with the British guitarist Terry ReidFind albums by this artist, an old friend and partner. Nash is supported by a formidable team of musicians, which includes vocalist Rita CoolidgeFind albums by this artist, Jerry GarciaFind albums by this artist, David Crosby and Dave MasonFind albums by this artist on guitars, Neil Young on piano, Bobby KeysFind albums by this artist on saxophone, bassist Calvin SamuelsFind albums by this artist and Phil LeshFind albums by this artist, drummers John BarbataFind albums by this artist and Dallas TaylorFind albums by this artist and numerous others. The songs exemplify not only his exceptional harmonic and melodic qualities but also his social awareness, which is strongly present in the fabric of the lyrics, many of which would become an integral part of the protest songs sung by the young generation in the early 1970s, when lyrics were meaningful and could move mountains. In retrospect this album is one of the absolute top achievements of the Classic Rock era, and remains completely relevant today, not losing an iota of its splendor and power over time. Almost half a Century after this music was created, it is still fresh, moving and exceedingly beautiful. How sad that nobody makes music like this any more…

Updated: 09/09/2018Posted: 09/09/2018

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

GRAHAM NASH ~ SONGS FOR SURVIVORS ARTEMIS 5099750850022 (Barcode: 5099750850022) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2000 Released: 2002 This is the fifth solo album by British singer / songwriter Graham NashFind albums by this artist, one of the greatest Classic Rock icons of all times. Nash maintained a more or less steady solo career in parallel to his activity as a member of Crosby & NashFind albums by this artist, Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist and Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist and with this album, released after sixteen long years of silence, he enters the new Millennium with rejuvenated powers. The album presents ten original songs, most written (music and lyrics) by him or co-written with long time collaborators like drummer Russell KunkelFind albums by this artist (who also plays on the album and co-produced it), Joe VitaleFind albums by this artist and others. Other players include keyboardist Matt RollingFind albums by this artist, bassist Viktor KraussFind albums by this artist, guitarists Dan DugmoreFind albums by this artist, Steve FarrisFind albums by this artist and Dean ParksFind albums by this artist and percussionist Lenny CastroFind albums by this artist. David CrosbyFind albums by this artist and Sydney ForestFind albums by this artist sing vocal harmonies. The songs are all absolutely exquisite and mark a glorious return of Nash´s personal songwriting style as defined three decades earlier. Combined with superb instrumental work and excellent production and sound, this album is an instant classic, as was his debut album. Nash proves again that his "Englishness" prevails and his unique song weaving talent remains as strong as ever, paralleled but just a few of his peers. The songs are mostly very introspective, lyrical and melancholic, with elegant and refined acoustic accompaniment, which is his natural habitat. The fact that the release of this album slipped almost completely under the radar, unnoticed by the critics and the fans alike, is nothing short of criminal and as usually completely tasteless. Nash and his troubadour friends still manage to produce some of the best Classic Rock the human race is capable of, and the fact that our generation is slowly dying off is of course part of the natural process of Culture disappearing, but as long as we still are able to hear great music, we should definitely let others know about it. For all the numerous fans of Nash and his music, which missed this album at the time of its release, please do yourself a favor and grab a copy, although these are not easily available any more. You are in for a huge and delightful surprise and are about to hear Nash at his very best. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 18/11/2018Posted: 18/11/2018

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

GRAHAM NASH ~ WILD TALES ATLANTIC 075678143229 (Barcode: 075678143229) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1973 Released: 1985 This is the second solo album by British singer / songwriter Graham NashFind albums by this artist, one of the 20th Century Classic Rock icons, who is still active today. After a glorious career in the UK as a member of the legendary group The HolliesFind albums by this artist, Nash moved to the USA to join David CrosbyFind albums by this artist and Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist (and later Neil YoungFind albums by this artist) to form one of the most influential Classic Rock bands in history: Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist (and Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist). Nash was decisively the catalyst and bonding element of these bands, with his British Cultural background, lyricism and superb feel of vocal harmony, as well as his personal manners and attitude, which was often in complete contrast to his American partners. The album presents ten original songs, all written (music and lyrics) by Nash. Nash is supported by a formidable team of musicians, which includes vocalist Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist, guitarists David LindleyFind albums by this artist, David Crosby and Dave MasonFind albums by this artist, Neil Young on piano, bassist Tim DrummondFind albums by this artist, drummer John BarbataFind albums by this artist and numerous others. The songs are somewhat darker and more introvert that those on his debut album, but all are superbly crafted and executed. Each and every one of these songs is a microcosm of inventive songwriting and lyrical sensitivity that Nash is blessed with. His exceptional harmonic and melodic aesthetics and his social awareness are strongly present in the fabric of the lyrics, as always. At the time of its release this album was received coldly by the music critics and to this very day is not considered as one of his best achievements, which of course is a complete poppycock, as this music withstands the test of time formidably and remains an archetypal example of Classic Rock. How sad that nobody makes music like this any more…

Updated: 26/10/2018Posted: 10/09/2018

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

STILLS & COLLINS ~ EVERYBODY KNOWS SONY 190758010625 (Barcode: 190758010625) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018 This is a sensational album by two of the American Folk / Rock icons: vocalist / guitarist / songwriter Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist (born 1945) and vocalist / songwriter Judy CollinsFind albums by this artist (born 1939), making an album together for the first time, which is hard to believe but true. They are accompanied by organist Russell WaldenFind albums by this artist, bassist Kevin McCormickFind albums by this artist and drummer Tony BeardFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten exquisite songs, three by Stills, two by Collins and five (one each) by other Pop / Rock icons: George HarrisonFind albums by this artist, Leonard CohenFind albums by this artist, Tim HardinFind albums by this artist, Bob DylanFind albums by this artist and Sandy DannyFind albums by this artist. The music is everything one might expect from these two legends – wonderfully melodic, mostly melancholic and low key, full of brilliant harmonies and accompanied by elegant instrumental work, which is simply perfect for this kind of atmosphere. The arrangements of the five songs, which most music lovers are familiar with in their original versions is fresh, intelligent and truly inspired. Both Stills and Collins sound surprisingly fresh and clear, as if untouched by the tides of time, and Stills delivers some sweet solo guitar work, which remains unparalleled. The closing track of the album sounds as strong as the best work of Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist, but the entire album is completely coherent and absolutely top notch both vocally and instrumentally. Although "instant classic" is a much overused term these days, if any album deserves to be called that – this is the one. Could have been (or perhaps should have been) recorded in the 1960s, but here and now, fifty years later, it is definitely better late than never! A complete unadulterated delight from start to finish!

Updated: 01/04/2018Posted: 01/04/2018

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

STEPHEN STILLS ~ JUST ROLL TAPE RHINO 081227997915 (Barcode: 081227997915) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1968 Released: 2007 This is a wonderful album with archival material by the iconic American singer / guitarist / composer Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist. Stills recorded this material using some spare studio time following a recording session he played on, singing early versions of songs, some of which were destined to become anthems of his generation. He is completely alone in the studio with his acoustic guitar. The album includes twelve songs, eleven of which he wrote and one, the epic "Wooden Ships" he co-wrote with David CrosbyFind albums by this artist and Paul KantnerFind albums by this artist. The album also includes a bonus track, the source of which remains undisclosed. The original master tapes of these recordings were considered to be lost for decades and the fact we can listen to this music is a pure miracle. At the time these songs were recorded Stills was playing the last gigs with the disintegrating Buffalo SpringfieldFind albums by this artist and obviously already planning the forthcoming super trio of Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist. Three of the songs present here would be part of the eponymous debut album by Crosby, Stills & Nash, others appeared on the first two solo albums by Stills and on his first album with his group ManassasFind albums by this artist. Other great demo material by Crosby, Stills & Nash can be heard on their great archival "DemosFind albums with this title" album. This album shows Stills completely "naked" and as such emphasizes his enormous talent as a songwriter and performer. Although completely informal, this music is the sound of an era, where music stood at the centre of human Culture, not only as a symbol of Art, but also as a form of philosophical, social and political expression. Side Note: Just a few months ago I had the pleasure to attend the Crosby, Stills & Nash concert in Rome. Hearing four thousand people singing along with the legends on stage was a deeply moving experience, and so was their timeless exquisite music.

Updated: 09/02/2016Posted: 09/02/2016

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

STEPHEN STILLS ~ LIVE AT BERKELEY 1971 OMNIVORE 515 (Barcode: 810075113013) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1971 Released: 2023 This is an archival live album by American singer / songwriter Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist, recorded on August 20 and 21, 1971 during the tour supporting Stills’ second solo album. with a stellar team of musicians, including bassist Calvin SamuelsFind albums by this artist, drummer Dallas TaylorFind albums by this artist and the legendary Memphis HornsFind albums by this artist. Lifetime friend David CrosbyFind albums by this artist joins Stills on two songs. The album presents fifteen tracks, almost all with songs written or co-written by Stills. The music includes acoustic material, which features Stills on guitar / piano and vocals, including the spine-chilling duets with Crosby, and also more electric Rock oriented material, which features the full band with the horns. Several songs from the Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist repertoire are naturally included as well. Stills is absolutely amazing as a guitarist and vocalist and his output over the years is obviously at the very top of American Rock achievements. He has very few competitors as far as writing brilliant songs, with intelligent lyrics, full of social awareness, which were the soundtrack of my generation. Not surprisingly, the music lost absolutely nothing of its strength and beauty over the time, and remains at the core of classic Rock. As uplifting as it is, it is also devastating, showing the tragic state of contemporary music, which completely “lost it” in time. Overall, this is a great document of the era, spotlighting the incredible talents of one of the greatest American Rock heroes, captured for posterity. It takes just one man with his acoustic guitar and incredible charisma to mesmerize thousands of people, no effects, electronics, auto-tuning and all the gadgetry that replaced talent over time. This is as good as music gets, no BS, and let’s not forget it.

Updated: 04/06/2023Posted: 04/06/2023

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

STEPHEN STILLS ~ LIVE AT SHEPHERD`S BUSH RHINO 081227984694 (Barcode: 081227984694) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2008 Released: 2009 In 2015 I had the immense pleasure to catch a concert by Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist in Rome, which turned out to be one of the greatest musical experiences of my late life. It proved to me that talent knows no age limits and true Art overcomes the hurdles old age places in front of us all. For almost three hours Crosby, Stills & Nash took me back to the heyday of my youth via a music propelled time machine. I wept and laughed, sung along and joined the four thousand strong crowd in an ecstasy of nostalgia, but also in a feeling of togetherness that I can only remember as far back as the Woodstock days, where Crosby, Stills & Nash played their first gig together. This album presents a solo concert by Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist, captured in 2008, which presents his life spanning career as a singer / songwriter from his early days with Buffalo SpringfieldFind albums by this artist, via Crosby, Stills & Nash (and Young), ManassasFind albums by this artist and his other endeavors. The concert includes fourteen songs, split into two sets: an acoustic and an electric set. The first set presents Stills completely solo just singing and playing his acoustic guitar, while the second set presents him playing the electric guitar and supported by keyboardist Todd CaldwellFind albums by this artist, bassist Kenny PassarelliFind albums by this artist and drummer Joe VitaleFind albums by this artist, all three also singing vocal harmonies. Stills wrote ten and co-wrote one (with Graham Nash) of the songs present here and three are by other songwriters. The album also includes a DVD with the same material. Albums like these are often criticized by critics as nothing more than a "dinosaur experience", with the artists performing just crowd-pleasers and basically riding on waves of nostalgia. This album is nothing of the sort. Yes Stills performs some of his material that has gained him his legendary status, but he also proves that he is completely relevant today and his music simply does not expire with time. In fact there are very few contemporary music acts that can stand up to such artists as Stills, both as far as vitality and surely quality is concerned. For the hordes of Stills fans (we are dying but we are still here) this is a must of course, but younger music lovers should also find this interesting, provided of course they have the ability to distinguish between music and the bullshit the media is brainwashing them with. I hope to catch these heroes of my youth live on stage again, even if I have to do it in a wheelchair.

Updated: 29/10/2016Posted: 29/10/2016

CD+DVD 2 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

STEPHEN STILLS ~ STEPHEN STILLS 2 ATLANTIC 075678238925 (Barcode: 075678238925) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1971 Released: 1991 This is the second studio album by iconic American singer / guitarist / songwriter Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist. Following the release of the epic debut albums with Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist and Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist, Stills was the second member of these groups to release a solo album, and in his case two solo albums in rapid succession, his eponymous debut and this, its successor. He was supported on this album by bassist Calvin SamuelsFind albums by this artist and drummers Conrad IsidoreFind albums by this artist and Dallas TaylorFind albums by this artist, as well as several high profile guests like keyboardists Dr. JohnFind albums by this artist and Billy PrestonFind albums by this artist and guitarists Nils LofgrenFind albums by this artist, Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist and Jerry GarciaFind albums by this artist. David CrosbyFind albums by this artist and others sung backing vocals on some tracks and the famous Memphis HornsFind albums by this artist played brass arrangements on selected tracks. The album presents twelve original songs, all by Stills. Although coldly received by the critics at the time, in retrospect this album is a splendid collection of superbly crafted songs, which Stills has been weaving with great talent since his Buffalo SpringfieldFind albums by this artist days. His ability to amalgam American Country, Folk and Blues with Rock and even Latin Music enables him to create a versatile musical output matched only by a few other songwriters of his generation. In retrospect the album stands the test of time wonderfully, without losing any of its superb melodic sensitivities, sincerity and values. Stills might not be a highly sophisticated lyricist, but his honesty and straightforwardness are often more explicit and striking than complex lyrics created by his peers. Almost fifty years after this album was created, it still offers more music than most of the "music" created today, which of course is hardly surprising.

Updated: 31/07/2019Posted: 25/01/2019

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

STEPHEN STILLS ~ STILLS / ILLEGAL STILLS / THOROUGHFARE GAP BGO 748 (Barcode: 5017261207487) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1975 - 1978 Released: 2007 American singer / songwriter / guitarist and Rock icon Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist needs no introduction to any 1960s / 1970s music fan. His many landmark performances with the Buffalo SpringfieldFind albums by this artist, Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist and Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist are all milestones of Rock music and are widely known. However, his solo output in the years following the early 1970s peak of popularity is much lesser known and often sadly forgotten. This album collects together three of his solo albums (the third, fourth and fifth studio albums) recorded in the mid to late 1970s for the ColumbiaFind albums on this label label, all of which have been out of print for ages. The cast of characters taking part in the recording reads like the who´s who of the US music scene at the time and Stills´ songwriting is as strong as ever. Although these albums had limited commercial success, they are great examples of his abilities and remarkable talents, which surely deserve to be remembered. I haven´t listened to this music in ages and hearing it now, over 30 years later, not only brings back many memories, but also reaffirms Stills´ status as one of the most memorable American music makers of the 20th Century. Definitely worth investigating!

Updated: 21/01/2019Posted:

CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JAMES TAYLOR ~ THE WARNER BROS. ALBUMS 1970-1976 RHINO 603497852390 (Barcode: 603497852390) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 - 1978 Released: 2019 This Box Set offers a reissue of the six albums recorded by the iconic American singer / songwriter / guitarist James TaylorFind albums by this artist, released on the Warner Bros.Find albums on this label label. Following the recording of his debut album on the BeatlesFind albums by this artist´ owned AppleFind albums on this label Records, Taylor signed with Warner Bros. and released his second to seventh album on that label, which were hugely successful and established him as one of the voices of the Woodstock Generation. The albums were carefully remastered under the supervision of the Peter AsherFind albums by this artist, who was Taylor´s manager and produced the first three albums in this Box Set, which is carefully designed and includes detailed information about recording dates and personnel, which sadly is not always the case with Box Sets of this kind. This Box Set includes some of the most beautiful songs written by American music makers over time. Most of the songs were written by Taylor, but he also used a few songs by other songwriters. His idiosyncratic voice knows no equals to this date and his heartfelt singing lost nothing of its magic touch. He was accompanied by the absolute crème de la crème of instrumentalists and his albums were carefully arranged and produced. In retrospect these six albums are all absolute gems, which lost nothing of their power of expression and intrinsic delicate beauty during the years that passed since they were recorded. Taylor´s music impersonates American Classic Rock at its best, incorporating, mostly subconsciously, elements of Country & Western, Blues, Jazz and other indigenous American music sources with Pop and Rock, creating a unique style of his own, but one that corresponded to the music made in America at the time by many other Artists like Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist, Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist, Carole KingFind albums by this artist, Carly SimonFind albums by this artist (to whom he was married at the time), Simon & GarfunkelFind albums by this artist, Stevie WonderFind albums by this artist and others. Many of these artists made appearances on the albums included here, the most surprising being probably Jazz guitar virtuoso John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist, who contributed one of the songs and played guitar on it. Overall this Box Set is a true treasure chest of superb music, which deserves a proud place in any serious music collection. For me this is of course a voice of my Generation, but the music is absolutely relevant also today and hopefully some young listeners will discover this timeless piece of Art. Beyond essential!

Updated: 10/08/2019Posted: 10/08/2019

CD 6 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend