Record Reviews

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

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 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 / MANASSAS ~ MANASSAS ATLANTIC 075678280825 (Barcode: 075678280825) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1972 Released: 1996 This is the debut album by the short-lived excellent band ManassasFind albums by this artist led by legendary American Rock icon Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist which also included ex-ByrdsFind albums by this artist / Flying Burrito BrothersFind albums by this artist vocalist / guitarist Chris HillmanFind albums by this artist, guitarist Al PerkinsFind albums by this artist, bassist Calvin SamuelsFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Paul HarrisFind albums by this artist, drummer Dallas TaylorFind albums by this artist and percussionist Joe LalaFind albums by this artist. Rolling StonesFind albums by this artist bassist Bill WymanFind albums by this artist guests on several tracks. The original double LP album presents twenty one excellent songs, split across the four sides of the two LPs with a separate subtitle for each of the sides, all bar one written or co-written by Stills and superbly performed by the band. Stills emerges on the album not only as a first rate vocalist, guitarist and bandleader but primarily as a superb songwriter, cementing his status initiated as a member of Buffalo SpringfieldFind albums by this artist and Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist, where he already contributed some of his finest creations and his material featured on the two solo albums released before forming Manassas. Musically the album epitomizes the best of American Rock, which emerged from the amalgam of Blues, Folk and Country music with electric Rock And Roll. Plenty of heartfelt vocals, excellent vocal harmonies and surging guitar work supported by rock steady rhythm section were the ingredients of the irresistible formula that American Rock knew how to push to the max at the time. In retrospect this album is often considered as one of the top achievements of American Classic Rock in the 1970s, listed side by side such albums as Derek And The DominosFind albums by this artist masterpiece "Layla And Other Assorted Love SongsFind albums with this title". Dedicated to the great and prematurely dead American Rock Heroes: Jimi HendrixFind albums by this artist, Al WilsonFind albums by this artist (of Canned HeatFind albums by this artist) and Duane AllmanFind albums by this artist, Stills clearly defines his influences and pays tribute to the fallen victims of the demanding Rock careers. An essential piece of the American Classic Rock heritage, this album is a must in any serious Classic Rock collection and definitely worth to be re-discovered by the new generations of listeners.

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

CD 1 HDCD Remastered Recommend To A Friend