Record Reviews

CROSBY & NASH ~ CROSBY NASH SANCTUARY 293 (Barcode: 5050159029327) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2004 Released: 2004 This is the sixth (fourth studio and so far the last) album by the celebrated team of singer / songwriter friends, American David CrosbyFind albums by this artist and British Graham NashFind albums by this artist, known as Crosby & NashFind albums by this artist. Supported by a superb team of musicians, which includes Crosby´s son James RaymondFind albums by this artist, who plays keyboards, guitarists Dean ParksFind albums by this artist and Jeff PevarFind albums by this artist, bassist Leland SklarFind albums by this artist and drummer Russell KunkelFind albums by this artist, Crosby and Nash present no less than twenty new songs spread over two CDs. Crosby wrote five of the songs, Raymond wrote also five songs and Nash wrote seven songs. Of the remaining three songs, one was written by Mark CohnFind albums by this artist, one is a traditional tune and one was co-written by Nash and three other musicians. Musically the album seems to be a time capsule, which goes back over three decades to the times when Crosby & Nash recorded their debut album together. Heartfelt melodies, meaningful lyrics, wonderful musicianship and an overall atmosphere of harmony, both musical and spiritual, had of course absolutely nothing to do with the music market at the time of the recording. Some critics accused Crosby & Nash to be stuck in the past, but hey, what greater praise can be bestowed upon a musician than saying his music sounds like being recorded in the early 1970s? Indeed the album could have been recorded in 1974 rather than in 2004 and nobody could have spotted the difference. Crosby, Raymond and Nash manage to weave wonderful songs, perfectly suited to the individual vocal abilities and the vocal harmonies, which are the duo´s trademark. The elegant, perfectly arranged instrumental accompaniment brings the beauty of the melodies to the front and remains respectfully supportive, without interfering with the vocal parts. Overall this is undoubtedly the strongest album by the duo since their debut recorded thirty two years earlier. It is great to see that Crosby and Raymond found their common musical destiny, which thrives to this very day, as evident on the recent solo albums by Crosby ("CrozFind albums with this title", "Sky TrailsFind albums with this title"). Sadly this may probably be the last recording by the duo although Crosby still performs live with Nash and Stills and I had the immense pleasure to hear them live in 2015. We must never cease to hope of course! This is a brilliant album from start to finish and a must have to any true Classic Rock fan, regardless of age. Although they don´t make music like this any more, miracles do happen ;)

Updated: 05/06/2018Posted: 05/06/2018

CD 2 Recommend To A Friend

DAVID CROSBY ~ FOR FREE BMG 4050538689945 (Barcode: 4050538689945) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2021 Released: 2021 This is the eighth studio album by iconic American singer / songwriter David CrosbyFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten original songs written or co-written by Crosby and his son James RaymondFind albums by this artist, who also plays keyboards and produced the album, except for the title song which was written by Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist. Donald FagenFind albums by this artist co-composed one of the songs with Crosby and Raymond. Drummers Gary NovakFind albums by this artist and Steve DiStanislaoFind albums by this artist, guitarists Dean ParksFind albums by this artist and Shawn TubbsFind albums by this artist and many others musicians take part in the recording. Following a feverish rush of three new albums released in 2016, 2017 and 2018, Crosby followers had to wait for three years for this release, which obviously is a result of the pandemic, but the wait was absolutely worth it, as this album is every bit as magnificent as everything else Crosby created over the years. His vocal abilities and songwriting are in full bloom and he found an ideal partner in Raymond to support him vocally, instrumentally and most importantly mentally, enabling him to continue his quest of producing some of the greatest music ever made. All the songs on the album are absolutely perfect, faithfully continuing Crosby’s love of great melody, vocal harmonies and intelligent lyrics, which are nowhere to be found in today’s music making. If one wouldn’t know when the album was written and recorded, it might have as well originated somewhere in the good old 1960s. This remarkable consistency is simply marvelous and almost incomprehensible, especially in view of its effectiveness. Overall this is a superb addition to Crosby’s recorded legacy and a miracle of survival. God only knows how many more albums Crosby will record in the days to come, but I pray they will come again. He is a truly unique figure and his music is a blessing from heaven…

Updated: 10/09/2021Posted: 10/09/2021

CD 1 Digipak 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