Record Reviews

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

CROSBY & NASH ~ WHISTLING DOWN THE WIRE MCA 008811203221 (Barcode: 008811203221) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1975 - 1976 Released: 2000 This is the third album by the celebrated team of singer / songwriter friends, American David CrosbyFind albums by this artist and British Graham NashFind albums by this artist. It followed the previous release ("Wind On The WaterFind albums with this title") just one year later, presenting a new set of songs performed by almost the same team of musicians that recorded that album: guitarist Danny KortchmarFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Craig DoergeFind albums by this artist, bassist Tim DrummondFind albums by this artist, drummer Russell KunkelFind albums by this artist and multi-instrumentalist David LindleyFind albums by this artist. Crosby and Nash are in charge of the vocals, Crosby plays guitars and Nash plays guitars and harmonica. The album presents ten songs. Both Crosby and Nash wrote three songs each, two songs were co-written by them both, one was co-written by Kortchmar and Nash and one by Doerge, Crosby and Nash. This is the remastered edition of the album, first time on CD, with a much improved sound clarity, but with no bonus material. The songs are all exquisite, as expected from this talented team, and very much in the same "spirit" as those on the previous album. Some of them were recorded during the sessions that produced the previous album and overall these two albums could be in fact considered as one continuous reflection of the duo´s output at that time (1975-1976), including also the next album "LiveFind albums with this title", which documents the duo´s concerts, where they performed mostly material from these two albums. The duo and the band accompanying the two singers became a true and very tight band, definitely one of the best out there at the time. As usual the stylistic, personal and cultural differences between Crosby and Nash create a unique amalgam, which combined with their fabulous vocal harmonies results in some of the best Classic Rock music ever recorded. They are simply one of the most perfect partnerships in Rock history. The album also emphasize the political / social opinions both these artists never feared to voice, standing firmly for the values of freedom, social justice, environment issues etc., continuing the "protest song" tradition cultivated in American music since the 1950s, sadly to disappear almost completely by the end of the 1970s. Overall in historic perspective this is a milestone album in every possible meaning of the phrase, which lost absolutely nothing over time in any aspect; it is still beautiful, relevant, and meaningful as a piece of an aesthetics that is long gone. Of all the Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist many sub-groups, Crosby & Nash have been the most consistently excellent outfit. I can´t imagine any decent Classic Rock collection not including this album. Beyond essential!

Updated: 29/06/2018Posted: 29/06/2018

CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

CROSBY & NASH ~ WIND ON THE WATER MCA 008811204327 (Barcode: 008811204327) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1975 Released: 2000 This is the second album by the celebrated team of singer / songwriter friends, American David CrosbyFind albums by this artist and British Graham NashFind albums by this artist. It followed the debut after a three years gap, presenting a new set of songs performed by the same team of musicians that recorded the debut: 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. Multi-instrumentalist David LindleyFind albums by this artist and bassist Tim DrummondFind albums by this artist complete the band. Musical friends: Jackson BrowneFind albums by this artist, James TaylorFind albums by this artist, Carole KingFind albums by this artist and others, perform on some of the songs. Crosby and Nash are in charge of the vocals, Crosby plays guitars and Nash plays the piano. The album presents eleven songs, the last of which is in fact a two song medley. Crosby wrote four of the songs, Nash five songs and two (including the medley) are co-written by them both. This is the remastered edition of the album, first time on CD, with a much improved sound clarity, but with no bonus material. The songs are all exquisite, as expected from this talented team, definitely as strong as those on the stunning debut album. Considering the fact that the band accompanying the two singers is much tighter this time, the album overall sounds even better than the debut in many respects. As usual the stylistic, personal and cultural differences between Crosby and Nash create a unique amalgam, which combined with their fabulous vocal harmonies results in some of the best Classic Rock music ever recorded. They are simply one of the most perfect partnerships in Rock history. The album also emphasize the political / social opinions both these artists never feared to voice, standing firmly for the values of freedom, social justice, environment issues etc., continuing the "protest song" tradition cultivated in American music since the 1950s, sadly to disappear almost completely by the end of the 1970s. Overall in historic perspective this is a milestone album in every possible meaning of the phrase, which lost absolutely nothing over time in any aspect; it is still beautiful, relevant, and meaningful as a piece of an aesthetics that is long gone. Of all the Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist many sub-groups, Crosby & Nash have been the most consistently excellent outfit. I can´t imagine any decent Classic Rock collection not including this album. Beyond essential!

Updated: 29/06/2018Posted: 28/06/2018

CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

DAVID CROSBY ~ IF I COULD ONLY REMEMBER MY NAME (DELUXE EDITION) RHINO 081227320423 (Barcode: 081227320423) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 2006 This is a reissue of the seminal debut album by legendary American singer / songwriter David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, recorded in the months following the release of Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist album "Déjà VuFind albums with this title", which saw all four members of the group releasing their debut solo albums. The album was recorded in San Francisco and features members of several groups associated with the SF scene at the time, like Jefferson AirplaneFind albums by this artist, Grateful DeadFind albums by this artist and SantanaFind albums by this artist, as well as solo artists like Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist. The combined list of musicians participating on this album reads like the who´s who of American Rock at the time. The original album presented nine original songs by Crosby (one co-written with Nash and Young and one arrangement of a traditional song) and this reissue adds one bonus track, which is an outtake from the original sessions. It also includes a DVD-A with hi-res mixes of the album and some bonus textual material and new liner notes with Crosby´s commentary on the album´s songs. Of course this album is way beyond just a classic Rock masterpiece from the period when music thrived on Earth – it is a unique symbol of an era. This music symbolizes a generation, a social movement and a state of mind, which includes Flower Power, Psychedelia, Woodstock, Social Awareness and Enlightenment, all happening within a brief period of few years, which was the only Renaissance the American people experienced in their entire history, and which was over before it could achieve anything or change the brutal reality of the Corporate Nation. This music touched millions of people at the time but sadly managed to transfix only a handful of them in the long range, absurdly more outside of the US than Americans themselves. Musically the album is also a document of the period, when everything was conceivable, allowed and welcomed. The album mixes American Folk, Rock, Psychedelia, Jazz and European Folk influences completely naturally and mostly subconsciously, which creates a unique, one time experience, never to be repeated again. Crosby´s hesitance results in his vocal theatrics and the distinctive way he delivers the lyrics as spoken word rather than singing them at the dramatic peaks of some of the songs. The instrumental accompaniment, which features intensive guitar improvisations in the background, delivered often by more than one guitarist at the same time, is another dimension of this complex and multilayered music. Although the trademark vocal harmonies, which dominate Crosby´s earlier work with The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash, are present here as well, they are definitely not the centerpiece of this album, which offers a much wider musical scope. The mayhem that dominated Crosby´s personal life in the years that followed the recording of this album had of course major consequences and as a result his next solo album ("Oh Yes I CanFind albums with this title") was released almost twenty years later, when the world was already changed beyond recognition. Crosby still performs and writes songs and his fifth solo album ("LighthouseFind albums with this title") was released recently (2016), but the magic spark glitters mostly in the hearts of those, like myself, who experienced this music in real time. An anthem of a generation, a bright star in a dark night sky, a sweet memory… whatever one might consider this album to be, it still has everything great music is supposed to have and once you open your heart to it, it will pay back handsomely. The choice is yours!

Updated: 11/08/2019Posted: 14/01/2017

CD+DVD 2 HDCD Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential 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 ~ KING BISCUIT FLOWER HOUR KING BISCUIT FLOWER HOUR 707108800722 (Barcode: 707108800722) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1989 Released: 1996 This is the second live album by legendary American singer / songwriter David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, recorded during the tour promoting his second studio album "Oh Yes I CanFind albums with this title". It was recorded at The Tower Theater in Philadelphia, PA on April 8, 1989 but released only seven years later in 1996, which technically means it was in fact Crosby´s first live recording, but the second live release. Crosby was supported by a great group, which included guitarist Dan DugmoreFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Michael FinniganFind albums by this artist, bassist Davey FarragherFind albums by this artist and drummer Jody CortezFind albums by this artist. The album presents fourteen songs spanning the first two solo albums and earlier recordings with Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist. Following his jail sentence in 1986 Crosby was finally clean from his drugs and alcohol addictions and was in absolute top form with his voice strong and clear and his personal life back on track. As a result his solo performances on this album are considered as some of his best ever. Crosby´s songs are among the most remarkable and revered anthems of the generation born after WWII and they managed to withstand the test of time leaving millions of other songs behind and forgotten. That great talent to weave heartbreaking ballads and ass-kicking rockers, always accompanied by straight to the heart lyrics is something that keeps Crosby among the great icons of our generation. This album is a Classic Rock gem and a must to all David Crosby many fans!

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

CD 1 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 & 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 ~ AMERICAN DREAM ATLANTIC 075678188824 (Barcode: 075678188824) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1988 Released: 1988 This is the second studio album by the iconic Classic Rock group Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist. The four singers / songwriters are supported by bassist Bob GlaubFind 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 fourteen original songs, recorded over a period of several months in 1988 an written or co-written by the group members and the musicians playing on the album, with Neil YoungFind albums by this artist being involved in writing half of the songs 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. "American DreamFind albums with this title" is a truly prophetic title, since the two decades that separate the recording of this album from their groundbreaking debut "Déjà VuFind albums with this title" not only changed the worldwide music scene but also marked the shattering of the America Dream in every aspect: political, social, moral and intellectual. The days of Freedom and Hope were gone and the bleak reality took over. If any other group wrote and recorded these fourteen songs they would have been considered as excellent, but sadly in comparison to their glorious past these songs, which also suffered from the 1980s production malady, sound somewhat pale and underachieved, which gave both the critics and even the faithful fans plenty of opportunity to bitch bitterly. 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. If not for the somewhat muddy sound and dreadful synthesizers the album sounds quite nice and surprisingly stands the test of time relatively well, especially so the two David CrosbyFind albums by this artist songs, which are up to par with his 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: 19/01/2019Posted: 19/01/2019

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG ~ BROADCAST COLLECTION `70-`74 SOUND STAGE 39 (Barcode: 5294162603925) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 - 1974 Released: 2018 This Box Set collects live radio broadcasts by the iconic Classic Rock group Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist, which originate from the early period of their activity following the release of their debut album "Déjà VuFind albums with this title" and until their epic reunion tour of 1974. Of the six CDs included here the first two present the Fillmore East concert and another two the Lakehurst concert, both from 1970. The fifth CD presents the Crosby & NashFind albums by this artist concert at Winterland from 1972, which includes a guest appearance by Neil YoungFind albums by this artist. The last CD presents the Roosevelt Traceway concert from the 1974 tour, which was part of the legendary King Biscuit Flower Hour series of radio broadcasts. There is nothing new here as far as dedicated fans of the band are concerned of course, especially in view of the plethora of authorized and unauthorized live albums by the band released over time, but on the other hand considering the importance and the extraordinary talents of the group members, every single note they ever recorded is a Holy Grail of Classic Rock and an incredible document of the era. The first two concerts, both of which are split on two CDs, present the usual acoustic / electric sets the group played, each of which emphasized different aspects of their music. The sound quality of these albums leaves much to be desired, which is a bit disappointing, since radio broadcasts usually offered a reasonable sound quality. However, for hardcore fans the sound quality is of little importance as long as the spirit of the music prevails. 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: 11/08/2019Posted: 11/08/2019

CD 6 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered 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 ~ DÉJÀ VU LIVE REPRISE 093624983910 (Barcode: 093624983910) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2006 Released: 2008 This is a live album by the seminal Classic Rock group Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist, recorded during their 2006 tour (called the "Freedom Of Speech" tour). The tour was initially intended as a Neil YoungFind albums by this artist tour supporting his new (at the time) album "Living With WarFind albums with this title", but Young asked David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist and Graham NashFind albums by this artist to join him and as a result a reunion of the group occurred. The tour produced a film (called "Déjà Vu") and this album, which is basically a soundtrack of the film. The four members of the group are accompanied by guitarist Ben KeithFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Spooner OldhamFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Tom BrayFind albums by this artist, bassist Rick RosasFind albums by this artist and drummer Chad CromwellFind albums by this artist. The album presents a mixture of songs from the "Living With War" album and classic early songs by the group, which overall results in a rather strange and inconsistent / incoherent mix, which obviously is more about protest and political activism than about the music. The sound quality of the recording is also problematic, with uneven balance between the vocals and the instrumental work. Young added some studio overdubs to the live material later on. In retrospect, this album has relatively limited artistic value in the overall career of this splendid group. It has a historical value as a document of the tour and a reflection of the group´s political activism, which was always a part of their milieu, but is not something many listeners would probably choose to revisit often.

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

CD 1 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

VESA-MATTI LOIRI ~ 4+20 PORTER 1512 (Barcode: 656605782027) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion Recorded: 1971 Released: 2011 "4 + 20Find albums with this title", recorded during several sessions in March 1971, was the debut album released by Finnish flautist / singer / actor Vesa-Matti LoiriFind albums by this artist. Born January 4, 1945 Loiri was already a "familiar face" on the modern Finnish Jazz scene at the time. Of course it is hard to believe that any of the album´s participants, including Loiri himself, could have possibly imagined that 40 years later he would be considered as one of the central pillars of the Finnish Culture. A true Renaissance man, Loiri developed over the years a spectacular career, both as a musician and as an actor / comedian. He recorded dozens of albums, many of which were immensely popular in his native country. He even represented Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1980, singing a song dedicated to his beloved flute. He also starred in dozens of movies, many of which are considered absolute classics. Loiri´s musical career is quite diverse, but the most important aspect of it is dedicated to his performances of songs with the lyrics written by the great Finnish poet Eino LeinoFind albums by this artist (1878-1926), the great pioneer of Finnish poetry. Loiri recorded several albums dedicated to Leino´s poetry, all of which are quite extraordinary, both musically and lyrically. Although Loiri was never a Jazz musician per se, he always cooperated on his albums with many Finnish Jazz musicians and many of these albums can be considered as Jazz albums, in a broader sense. The Eino Leino albums, therefore, should be considered as part of the Jazz & Poetry movement, which was quite popular in Europe since the 1960s. The passionate love affair between Jazz music and Poetry originated during the Beat movement in the 1950s, when US writers and poets discovered that the freedom and improvisational character of modern Jazz could be also utilized in modern writing. The spiritual proximity between the various disciplines of Modern Art & Literature created many cross-media encounters, with Jazz musicians and poets often performing together. In the early 1960s Jazz & Poetry crossed over to Europe, first into UK and then spreading quickly all over the Continent. Jazz musicians and poets created passionate collaborations in France, Germany, Poland and the Scandinavian countries. But in a similar way as to what happened to American Jazz, when it was absorbed by the Europeans, who amalgamated it with their European musical heritage, Jazz & Poetry also changed, when music was being composed by the Europeans not only to accompany contemporary literary works, but also Classic literature and poetry, as far back as Shakespeare´s sonnets. European Jazz musicians / composers often created music to accompany literary works from their National heritage, similar in a way to the inspirations of the European Romantic Classical composers earlier on. In Finland the Jazz & Poetry movement produced some extraordinary achievements and many of the country´s most illustrious musicians were involved with it at least at some stage of their career. Vesa-Matti Loiri´s contributions to the movement are surely amongst the most important ones. On the gatefold cover of the "4 + 20" LP Vesa-Matti Loiri writes as follows: "This record was made spontaneously, without any great preparations. It is not meant to serve commercial purposes. This music has risen from friendship." This is in fact a concise and completely truthful description of this album. The album features Loiri the flute player. His vocal contributions here are mostly accidental and humorous (his comedian nature), except for one track, where he actually sings. For the recording he invited a group of friends, which in retrospect reads like the who´s who of Finnish Jazz at the time: saxophonist / flautist Esa PethmanFind albums by this artist (who plays piccolo flute here), saxophonist Eero KoivistoinenFind albums by this artist, organist Tuomo TanskaFind albums by this artist, guitarist Hasse WalliFind albums by this artist (who also helped Loiri with most of the arrangements), bassist Pekka SarmantoFind albums by this artist and drummer Esko RosnellFind albums by this artist. Several other players contribute percussion and vocal tidbits. The music is very versatile and ranges from Jazz via Folklore to Rock and even Classical. A couple of Herbie MannFind albums by this artist´s tunes – an obvious choice by a flautist, some folklore, both international and Finnish, some Rock and some "serious" music (see below), all arranged in a Jazzy fashion and performed joyously yet somewhat informally, as indicated by Loiri´s quote. Nevertheless there are plenty of great solos here and the overall level of performance is definitely outstanding. The album´s title is of course the Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist´ tune, first heard on the Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist legendary "Déjà VuFind albums with this title" album. It is used here as a repeated "theme", appearing repeatedly between the tracks. The album´s most interesting track, which is the song "Itkevä Huilu", featuring Loiri´s vocals, is a clear precursor of his future Jazz & Poetry work. The song´s lyrics were written by the Finnish poet Larin KyöstiFind albums by this artist and the music by the great Finnish Classical composer Oskar MerikantoFind albums by this artist. Overall the music on this album is conserved, as in a time capsule, losing nothing of its joy and playfulness, good nature and musical friendship. Such qualities should definitely be preserved! Thanks to PorterFind albums on this label Records for making this musical treasure available again! Side Note The above are my liner notes included on this album's artwork. I am honored when asked by the Artists to write liner notes for their albums, always hoping that my words reflect the true spirit of the music. This is also a symbol of our mutual respect and friendship developed over the years. The same is also true when Record Labels ask me to write liner notes for their releases, mostly in the case of reissues of archival albums, which is a symbol of their appreciation of my knowledge and historical perspective and my recognition of their dedication to the preservation of the history of recorded music and the effort to keep human Culture and Aesthetics alive.

Updated: 19/09/2018Posted:

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered 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

STEPHEN STILLS ~ STEPHEN STILLS ATLANTIC 075678280924 (Barcode: 075678280924) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 1995 This is the debut album by American singer / songwriter / multi-instrumentalist and one of the greatest icons of American Classic Rock, Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist. Released alongside the solo albums by his fellow members of Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist, which were recorded following the release of their debut "Déjà VuFind albums with this title" album, where each of the four musicians emphasized his personal preferences and stylistic idiosyncrasies. Although Stills plays many different instruments on the album and sings the lead vocals, he is supported by what seems to be a who´s who gathering of the Classic Rock icons, including John SebastianFind albums by this artist, David CrosbyFind albums by this artist and Graham NashFind albums by this artist on vocals, guitarists Jimmy HendrixFind albums by this artist and Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist, drummers Ringo StarrFind albums by this artist and Dallas TaylorFind albums by this artist, bassists Calvin SamuelsFind albums by this artist and many others. The album presents ten original songs, all by Stills, many of which remain to shine brightly fifty years later as timeless Classic Rock anthems. Stylistically Stills continues the Buffalo SpringfieldFind albums by this artist songwriting tradition as well as developing new ventures into Classic Rock balladry and embraces social awareness as one of his main themes. Although received relatively coldly at the time of its release, Stills and this album proved the critics and to some extent the fans wrong, as this material grew stronger in time, serving as a painful contrast to songwriting, which followed later on. Stills´ unique talent to combine the electric guitar with great melody lines remains sadly unparalleled over the years. The album offers an incredible diversity, flirting with Rock, Jazz, Country, World Music and many other influences, which at the time were truly prophetic and ahead of their time. Stills simply refused to be boxed within the Pop / Rock boundaries, which made him one of the great heroes of the era. I can´t imagine any serious record collection that does not include a copy of this milestone album, way beyond the strict Classic Rock frame of reference. It still is one of the greatest American Rock albums of all times and it doesn´t look like this will change anytime in the foreseeable future. An absolute epic essential must have!

Updated: 28/03/2019Posted: 28/03/2019

CD 1 HDCD Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

STEPHEN STILLS ~ LIVE IN CONCERT ROX VOX 1006 (Barcode: 5292317100626) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1976 - 1977 Released: 2015 This is a live recording of two concerts by the iconic American singer / multi-instrumentalist / songwriter Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist, which were originally broadcast by the legendary radio show King Biscuit Flower Hour. The concerts were recorded just three months one after the other (October 1976 and January 1977), the first of which was recorded completely solo and the second in a trio setting with bassist George PerryFind albums by this artist and drummer Joe VitaleFind albums by this artist. Together the album presents nineteen songs, most of which were written by Stills, spanning his entire career to date and including material from the Buffalo SpringfieldFind albums by this artist, Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist and his solo albums. The music showcases the extraordinary qualities of Stills as a singer, brilliant guitarist and of course seminal songwriter. These performances are significantly different from other available recordings of this material and therefore should be highly interesting to the many Stills fans and considering the fine sound quality of this material, it is absolutely worth investigating. It seems Stills is largely underappreciated and somewhat forgotten today, which is a great pity as in retrospect he surely is one of the brightest stars of American Classic Rock – and don´t you forget it! 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: 24/05/2019Posted: 24/05/2019

CD 1 Remastered 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

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