The Weird Shit
All photos by CO Moed
David Crosby was never my favorite.
First it was Stills, then Young. Neil gets all the headlines and respect. Young musicians revere him and play with him. He gets interviewed on Colbert and parodied by Fallon. Stills faded away long ago, Nash is a gentleman, an amazing singer and a fine tunesmith but only occasionally an interesting songwriter.
And then there was Crosby, the egotistical drug maniac, crack addict, heroin addict, cold-turkey veteran of a Texas prison in the mid-80’s, liver transplant veteran since the mid 90’s, sperm donor for Melissa Etheridge’s in-vitro kids and talking head de rigeur for every rock documentary of the last fifteen years. He’s joked for ages that Stills wrote the anthems, Nash wrote the hits and he wrote the weird shit. He was a punchline – so what about him?
What about him is a rebirth at an age rock stars are supposed to be irrelevant, maybe still playing but certainly not growing. First, he formed a band called CPR in the Nineties with his biological son James Raymond (a very talented keyboard player/singer/songwriter in his own right). That band left behind many tours and several now out-of-print albums that didn’t sell much but are continually on top of my playlist. Their live versions of Byrds and CSNY songs put the originals to shame.
Last year, Crosby put out a solo record that offered far better songwriting than anything Neil has done in a decade. He backed the record with a full-band tour and those shows (I saw one and have heard several) were terrific, starting with the album in it’s entirety, followed with gems from the long career.
And this past Thursday night, he played Town Hall in New York solo – just one man and many open-tuned guitars – something he’s never done before in that long career. And he killed it.
His voice is amazing, taking a few songs to warm up but reaching powerful high notes no 73-year-old should even attempt and showing an ability to shape melodies and sell a lyric better than his young self ever could. He played back-catalogue songs I’ve loved for years without ever hearing live (‘Laughing’ ‘In My Dreams’) and found new life in songs I’ve heard many times before (‘Guinevere’, which I thought I never wanted to hear again – I was wrong). A front-of-the-audience member told Crosby to stop talking politics between songs and sing – Cros told him to go fuck himself, to general chuckling from the rest of the crowd.
The songs were fascinating, especially stripped down like this. The depth of the chord changes reminds you that this is the man who taught Joni Mitchell to open-tune and introduced George Harrison to Ravi Shankar. The sounds would have been profound without the words. And the words were wonderful. ‘Fluttering pages of faces’ is a great image even when he explains it (I’m not blowing the story here).
The best news was, two of the five best songs of the night were brand-new. One of them was a jazz-inflected number with lyrics that denied the sexism traditionally associated with 60’s Rock Stars.
It was a great show on all counts.
It’s kind of stunning. I look back now on a band I’ve followed over forty years (through fifty permutations) and at the very end, when they should be way past over-the-hill, the most unlikely guy has become my favorite.
If he comes to your town on this tour, just go.
Thank me later.
A terrific review. For those of us younger, but who can see that time of life approaching, it’s a great boost to see and hear someone not just able to get by, but to exceed things he’s done in the past. That most recent album was a surprise, a pleasant surprise…….
This is a very accurate review, and depiction of the show in NYC. i sat in the first row, and can say that I was shocked at the show, the musicianship, and the mix/capabilities of this mature icon of a performer. I was also sad at his political sermon, which does nothing but tarnish the night. Not agreeing or disagreeing, but interrupting such an otherwise awesome performance, using the power of the microphone in a careless way. The person who yelled out was right behind me, and totally correct “without a microphone” to voice their opinion as he was his. In summary, great review, great show, a musical icon!
I wasn’t at the concert, but I saw the stream he put on Yahoo, and I’ve seen CSNY in many configurations. While one can criticize, liberal politics are what David is all about. A person who goes to a CSN or Y concert ought to be prepared for the occasional leftist statement. And I, to be honest, go to shows to hear the artist, not catcalls from the audience. I’m not saying that Croz was right to jump on the speaker who didn’t like his politicking, but I’m reminded of the Atlanta concert of the CSNY 2006 Freedom of Speech tour when half the audience walked out of the show because of Neil’s “Let’s Impeach the President.” Didn’t the crowd know what they were getting when they bought the tickets? By the way, Crosby’s new album is fantastic. I hope he continues to write more. It’s been a long time coming…
I, too, have been listening to the new album recently. What flitted through my mind, and nt even too briefly, was “Why hasn’t Ted championed Crosby – this stuff is wonderful and his voice better than it’s ever been…”
Ah, great minds….
You nailed it. Allthough Crosby has always been my favourite since 1971 when I first heard: If I could only remember my name. And I so hope mr. Crosby will find the time to play the Paradiso in Amsterdam solo. I will be there. With Regards Jon
He was always my favorite from seeing him in the tiny clubs of south Florida to the Grove playhouse to the big shows in Florida and California, and a great rhythm guitar player for the others.
I love David’s electric rhythm playing. I think the rhythm line in the last section of the CSNY Southern Man has always flipped me out. It’s like a jazz walking bass line with chords.
I saw him years ago with Nash and a lead guitarist on the first night of their tour not long after he got out of jail. It was when I went to IUP a university in Indiana PA, small venue. We were sitting in front, it was great. My daughter was only about 6 at the time and Crosby kept talking to her, funny. It was a great show and his voice and guitar playing were so good. I am a musician and it inspires me to this day.
Thanks for a great review. I felt much the same as you, but what I really loved was “Everybody’s Been Burned” which I heard in a Byrds album, but never live. This concert was certainly the pinnacle of my concert going activities for 2015.
Absolutely. A show full of highlights.
you had it backwards its stills who wrote the rock hits and NASH who wrote the anthems, the songs the world loves to sing and croz writes the weird shit, thats how it goes
I usually get it backwards. Dessert is a great way to start a meal…
No, you got it right, Ted. I’ve heard Cros say this at three different concerts. You’ve only got to look at the hits: Marrakesh Express; Teach Your Children; Our House, Bus Stop, etc. all from Graham.
If he goes into the rock n roll hall again, you need to induct him with this review and rant. Perfect. Thanks.
The RNRHOF would be a very different – and probably more interesting – place if fans inducted their passions. Thanks to you.
Unlike the author, David Crosby has been a favorite of mine since 1969. I have seen him many times in concert, including a solo stand up show at Hofstra University in 1973 (I believe) in which John David Souther was the opening act. Good solid guitar playing, acoustic and genuine. Unfortunately, the rest of the life story is tough for David and his fans. I too, enjoyed the CPR music, as well. Thanks for an interesting read. J.
Thanks for the comments. I was sure he hadn’t done solos before–my bad. I envy you that memory. I’ve had the pleasure of really re-discovering him in my old age.
nice story
but
Steve Stills has hardly faded away!
have you listened to his band The Rides?
I’m sorry – I wasn’t precise in my language. Stephen’s had a resurrection lately and it’s wonderful to see him healthy and playing well. But as a songwriter, I think he faded away a long time ago. No one was a bigger fan of his during Buffalo Springfield and early CSNY but I can’t name more than a handful of songs since 1975 that I’d play to a stranger to convince her Stephen was an important songwriter–compared to the bucketful from 1966-75.
Fading away as a song-writer seems to happen to many of the classic rock talents. Paul McCartney has been searching forever for a hit. The Stones, Tom Petty, John Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen – all theses guys and any more – all still very active – seemed to have their moment in the sun and then can’t ever achieve the high spot on the charts that at one time was so routine.
So Stephen is not alone. Accept him for what he is – a truely one-of-a-kind guitar player whose a voice has seen better days! And if he is playing in your neck of the woods, you don’t want to miss him!
Absolutely. I saw him a few years ago on Long Island and had a wonderful time. The only point I was making was how unusual it was for anyone at this age to continue at the high level that Crosby has. He’s a marvel and a role model for those of us who do art (I write stories – it’s essentially the same gig). John LeCarre’s writing great thrillers still in his eighties – I hope to see Croz singing ten years from now. And Stephen and Graham and Neil. But it’ll be Croz’s songs I’ll be looking forward to.
One of the things about David Crosby that has always amazed me is how his voice blends perfectly with any and everyone. Nobody’s voice does that – except his. And no matter who he sings with, he makes them sound so much better.
I listened to David Ceosby and his son play acoustic at a small venue here in San Luis Obispo a few years back. Best. Concert. Ever…..
I saw Crosby I believe in ’82. At the end of the show, he stepped away from the microphone and sang without the P.A. and a cappella. It was mesmerizing. I wore out my eight track of ‘If I Could Only Remember My Name’.
hello Ted i don’t know who you are, it doesn’t matter, i saw David live a lot of time, next on october 2015, and when he says ‘ the darkest hour is just before the dawn’ (long time gone) i think that these few words have been the most important words in my life. Thanks… Manu from Padua – Italy
Swell writing, followed by a great conclusion! Thanks!
Decades ago, I read David Crosby’s autobiography and felt disgusted (his photos taken in prison will scare you… a lot).
Two years ago, I saw him live with his son, Mr. Nash, and band. I set my hopes low, deciding to attend simply because the venue was so nearby. They came out, did 2 songs, stopped and said “Wow! The sound is really good here!” For a musician, that’s a big deal and, as you might imagine, they went on to give spectacular performances!
Granted… David has been a self-serving king-baby in the past, yet one thing has never been in question: His musicianship!
He can sing and sing and sing!
Looking back to my Woodstock Nation days, I still love his “If I Could Only Remember My Name” album. For me, it captures so much of what was right in those times. Backed by Jerry, Joni, Jorma, and more… David still touches my Soul in a big way.
Even though I’ve become one of the old farts that used to have long hair and beard… even though I often stay home to sing my own tunes… Crosby will always be the poster child for spacey sixties harmonies. Always.
Many thanks,
The one thing about Crosby that’s a really big part of his catalog is his voice, particularly as a HARMONY singer. His talent is UNSURPASSED in this area. When you’re talking about an artist’s catalog it’s usually a song he wrote or sang lead on, so Harmony Singing is going to be slighted. But Crosby’s genius is singing HARMONY. Just listen to his harmony line on Stills’ “Helplessly Hoping”. It’s absolutely brilliant. Not the same song without it. Great to hear the Croz is still in fine form!
That was the part that first got me – the ‘invisible’ harmony parts. I was in a band in college and my range was similar to his so I had to figure out exactly that part. By the time I got it figured out, I was just floored. I also love what he does on their version of Blackbird and, oh, about a thousand others.
I’ve seen Stephen twice in the last few years (not counting the Buffalo Springfield reunion at Neil’s Bridge Concert – that makes three). He’s hardly faded away. He was awesome. Other than that , great review. I also bought David’s last solo album and was also favorably impressed. I’d go see him live.
http://thedirty.com/gossip/los-angeles/david-crosby-ripped-off-essra-mohawks-song/
Joey, I don’t believe in censorship so I’ll approve your post but I don’t buy the argument. No disrespect to Essra Mohawk or any creative person but plagiarism is a very serious charge and I’ve heard the song in question and don’t see any similarity between it and Deja Vu. The fact that they share one phrase – a very familiar phrase to anyone who’s looked into Eastern philosophy – doesn’t make it a rip-off. It really does seem like gossip to me.
Hey, FYI, David Crosby did not teach Joni Mitchell open tunings. She learned open tunings around 1964 from other folk artists in the Toronto scene and had about 40 or so opened tuned songs already penned before she met Crosby in Florida in early 1967. If anything she taught him.
You may be right about the facts of the situation but I’m pretty sure I’ve heard Cros take credit for that. As the Irish say, never let the truth get in the way of a good story.
Nice that you realize David Crosby is ‘the shit’. Weird has nothing to do with it.
I dressed as Crosby for Halloween a few years back. The hair was the hardest part, but I eventually found a Ben Franklin wig and brown spray hair coloring. It was pretty spot on. Went to a massive Halloween street fair type event and 90% of the idiots there kept thinking I was Meathead from All In The Family. I can’t count the number of times I said “F@@k you! I’m David Crosby!” that night.
What a perfectly mundane song, even for the era in which it was released. The beauty of comparing these songs is that it makes eminently clear just what a unique masterpiece David’s “Deja Vu” is.
Ted,like many here David has been a hero and inspiration for decades. Your review is pitch-perfect. Thank you so much.