Record Reviews

RITA COOLIDGE ~ RITA COOLIDGE / NICE FEELIN` BGO 0846 (Barcode: 5017261208460) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1971 Released: 2009 This is a reissue of the first two albums by American Rock vocalist Rita CoolidgeFind albums by this artist, both released in 1971. Together the twofer presents twenty wonderful songs written for her by the best songwriters of the period and she is accompanied by a stellar lineup which includes keyboardists Leon RussellFind albums by this artist and Booker T. JonesFind albums by this artist, guitarists Spooner OldhamFind albums by this artist, Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist, Marc BennoFind albums by this artist and Clarence WhiteFind albums by this artist, bassist Chris EthridgeFind albums by this artist, drummer Jim KeltnerFind albums by this artist and many others, as well as brass and string sections. Coolidge was discovered by the team Delaney & BonnieFind albums by this artist and very quickly became a permanent part of the American Rock scene singing backing vocals on countless classic Rock albums by Leon Russell, Joe CockerFind albums by this artist, Graham NashFind albums by this artist, Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist, Bob DylanFind albums by this artist, Stephen Stills and many others. She was blessed by a wonderfully expressive voice and a superb feeling for Soul / Rhythm And Blues / Rock, which she expressed both as a backing vocalist and a lead singer. This reissue is a wonderful reminder of these wonderful days when American Rock was most productive and capable of creating lasting music. Although Coolidge enjoyed a successful career in the years that followed these two early albums and her work with the a.m. artists are for me the pinnacle of her artistic achievements. Overall this is a great glimpse at the days when everything sounded better, looked nicer and tasted sweeter then ever. An absolute Classic Rock bonanza!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 20/09/2020

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

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

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

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

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

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

CD 2 Recommend To A Friend

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 ~ LIVE MCA 008811205225 (Barcode: 008811205225) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1975 - 1976 Released: 2000 This is the fourth album (and first live release) 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 two studio releases ("Wind On The WaterFind albums with this title" and "Whistling Down The WireFind albums with this title") presenting material recorded live during the concerts the duo performed promoting these albums and consisting mostly of songs originally included on them, featuring the same team of musicians that recorded them: 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 piano. The album presents eleven songs written by Crosby and Nash (five songs each and one by Crosby / Doerge). This is the remastered edition of the album, first time on CD, with a much improved sound clarity, and two bonus tracks. The songs are all exquisite, as expected from this talented team, and very much in the same "spirit" and overall these three albums could be in fact considered as one continuous reflection of the duo´s output at that time (1975-1976), which was certainly the most productive in the Crosby & Nash legacy. 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. This album emphasizes the incredible rapport between the Artists and the audiences, and their unique ability on stage, which allows them to change and adapt the songs to the atmosphere of each an every venue and the mood of the specific concert. As such it is an electrifying document of Classic Rock performed live, with is almost completely gone these days. 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 & Young 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.

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

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks 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 ~ 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 ~ OH YES I CAN A&M 600753650158 (Barcode: 600753650158) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1989 Released: 2015 This is the second album by the iconic American singer / songwriter David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, released eighteen years after the release of his epic debut album "If I Could Only Remember My NameFind albums with this title" in 1971. The prolonged silence, caused by the chaotic circumstances of his private and artistic life, was broken by a relatively short period of solo recording activity, which produced this album and the follow up album "Thousand RoadsFind albums with this title" (1993) as well as the live album "It`s All Coming Back To Me NowFind albums with this title" (1995), but then another long (nineteen years) period followed again until the resurrection of his recording career in 2014, which so far produced three new albums: "CrozFind albums with this title", "LighthouseFind albums with this title" and "Sky TrailsFind albums with this title". The album presents eleven songs, nine of which were written or co-written by Crosby, and a great support band featuring some of Rock´s most reliable studio players like drummers: Russell KunkelFind albums by this artist and Jim KeltnerFind albums by this artist, bassist Leland SklarFind albums by this artist, guest guitarists: Steve LukatherFind albums by this artist and Larry CarltonFind albums by this artist and guest vocalist and old buddies: James TaylorFind albums by this artist, Graham NashFind albums by this artist, Jackson BrowneFind albums by this artist and others. The album presents the usual mixture of Rocky songs and heartwrenching ballads that only Crosby is able to write. His vocal abilities are at their best and the superb instrumental (and vocal) support are as usual top rate, The album does not disclose any new facets in Crosby´s songwriting, but proves that his creativity remains intact. Of course Crosby´s figure has a meaning way beyond his musical activity. For people my age Crosby is a voice of a generation and in retrospect a symbol of the tragically short lived American cultural and social Revolution of the late 1960s, which is sadly almost completely forgotten by now. His recent activity is a proof that our generation is not completely dead yet, although the light at the end of the tunnel is getting dimmer. Everything Crosby touched during his lifetime eventually turned to gold, and this album is a classic of the genre, definitely worth returning to or being discovered by the generation of our children and grandchildren. Peace!

Updated: 03/06/2018Posted: 23/03/2018

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

DAVID CROSBY ~ THOUSAND ROADS ATLANTIC 075678248429 (Barcode: 075678248429) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1993 Released: 1993 This is the third studio album by the iconic American singer / songwriter David CrosbyFind albums by this artist released four years after its predecessor "Oh Yes I CanFind albums with this title". The album was recorded in different studios, with many different musicians (almost fifty), including the "regulars" like bassist Leland SklarFind albums by this artist, drummer Russell KunkelFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Craig DoergeFind albums by this artist, as well as a long list of guest appearances by such legends as Phil CollinsFind albums by this artist, Jimmy WebbFind albums by this artist, Graham NashFind albums by this artist, Jackson BrowneFind albums by this artist and others. The album presents ten songs, only one of which (the title song) was written by Crosby and two were co-written by him (one with Collins and one with Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist). Although this is still very much Crosby at his best as a singer, the fact that the songs are not his in most cases create an overall orientation towards Pop, more apparent than on any of his other albums. The instrumental work is of course superb all the way through, although again suffering a bit from the 1990s production drawbacks (too much keyboards). In retrospect this is still very much an album worth remembering, despite the fact that it was rather neglected by his fans over time. Crosby is simply way too talented to make music not up to par with the best efforts out there. Sadly this album was to mark a twenty one years long period of absence as far as solo albums were concerned, except for the live album "It`s All Coming Back To Me NowFind albums with this title" released in 1995. His triumphant comeback with the album "CrozFind albums with this title" in 2014 marked a new period of ferocious activity, which continues to this very day. This is definitely an album worth being rediscovered by all those Crosby fans that missed it at the time of its release, and of course a valuable lesson to young listeners, to get idea about what music is all about!

Updated: 10/07/2018Posted: 10/07/2018

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

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

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

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

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

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

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

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

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

CD 1 HDCD Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

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

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

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

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

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

CD 4 Slipcase Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & 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

HOLLIES ~ BUS STOP / STOP! STOP! STOP! BGO 0968 (Barcode: 5017261209689) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1966 Released: 2011 This album combines the 4th and 5th LPs by the British group The HolliesFind albums by this artist, released in the USA on the Imperial label. As it often happened during the British Invasion days, the US and domestic UK releases by British groups were quite different, as witnessed here. “Bus StopFind albums with this title” was a compilation album of sorts, including the group’s monster hit of the same title and adding some B-sides and songs previously unreleased in the US but present on the UK albums. Of course considering how great the group was, even though this was a “leftovers” compilation album, it was incredibly strong. “Stop! Stop! Stop!Find albums with this title” was the first US release, which was an exact replica of a UK release, with only the album’s title changed (the UK release was entitled “For Certain Because…Find albums with this title”). This album was the first release to feature entirely original material written by Allan ClarkeFind albums by this artist, Tony HicksFind albums by this artist and Graham NashFind albums by this artist and is a giant step in British Rock in every respect. The sophistication of the melody lines, the absolutely perfect vocal harmonies and the intricate instrumental accompaniment place The Hollies at the top of the British pack, way ahead of The BeatlesFind albums by this artist and other contemporaries, who are considered as the main heroes. The better the historic perspective becomes the clearer it is that The Holies were just better then anybody at what they did.

Updated: 28/07/2023Posted:

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

HOLLIES ~ CLARKE, HICKS & NASH YEARS (THE COMPLETE HOLLIES APRIL 1963 – OCTOBER 1968) EMI 96242 (Barcode: 5099909624221) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1963 - 1968 Released: 2011 This magnificent Box Set compiles (as the title suggests) the entire recorded output by the British Pop / Rock group the HolliesFind albums by this artist, from their inception and until the moment founding member Graham NashFind albums by this artist left the group to move to the US and join forces with David CrosbyFind albums by this artist and Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist. I´ll make this brief: I´ve always considered the Hollies to be the best ever British group of the 1960s, way ahead of the BeatlesFind albums by this artist and scores of others. Now I have a great argument for my adversaries; next time another discussion about the British scene supremacy erupts I´ll simply point towards this Box Set – discussion closed! This is a marvelous lesson in music history. Beyond essential!

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 6 Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

HOLLIES ~ ORIGINAL ALBUM SERIES PARLOPHONE 825646361991 (Barcode: 825646361991) ~ UK ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 1963 - 1966 Released: 2014 This Box Set collects the first five albums by the British Pop group The HolliesFind albums by this artist, and includes material recorded between 1963 and 1966, a period spanning just over three years. The core members of the group were Allan ClarkeFind albums by this artist, Tony HicksFind albums by this artist and Graham NashFind albums by this artist, all three being superb vocalists, great instrumentalists and formidable songwriters. They were supported by bassists: Eric HaydockFind albums by this artist and later Bernie CalvertFind albums by this artist and drummers: Don RathboneFind albums by this artist and later Bobby ElliotFind albums by this artist. Listening to these five albums clearly illustrates not only their many qualities but also their rapid progress from early American influenced Rhythm And Blues and Rock And Roll to their own individual style, which embraced sophisticated chord changes, multilayered vocal harmonies and complex rhythms, combined with exquisite sense of melody. In order to fully appreciate the group´s incredible journey it is recommended to listen also to the next two albums ("EvolutionFind albums with this title" and "ButterflyFind albums with this title") recorded by the group before Graham Nash left, or even better get a copy of the incredible Hollies anthology "Clarke, Hicks & Nash Years (The Complete Hollies April 1963 – October 1968)Find albums with this title", which includes absolutely everything they recorded while Nash was still in the group. The appropriately titled "Evolution" and then "Butterfly", both recorded in 1967, are absolute masterpieces of Psychedelic / Progressive Pop, which to this day have but a few competitors. As I have been saying for decades, it is painfully obvious, especially now in retrospect that The Hollies were an infinitely better group musically than The BeatlesFind albums by this artist; a statement I have been bitterly criticized for, but which I am ready to repeat any time. This music simply proves my point to anybody who is willing to listen with an open mind. Wholeheartedly recommended! Side Note The "Original Album SeriesFind albums with this title" by Warner Bros.Find albums on this label, the "Original Album ClassicsFind albums with this title" by SonyFind albums on this label, the "5 Original AlbumsFind albums with this title" by UniversalFind albums on this label, the Box Sets by RhinoFind albums on this label and other similar releases are an archetypal example of how good intentions turn sour. Although these new editions often bring back to life some of the best music ever made on this planet, which in many cases has been lost in the tides of time and was unavailable on the market for ages, they suffer from an unforgivable disregard for the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires as to treat our Cultural Legacy with respect and loyalty. The Box Sets produced under these monikers have no discographical information whatsoever about the lineups, musician names, composers, lyricists, dates and places of recording, original release data and even basic copyright data (the last is strictly illegal BTW). Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, they are often edited and information (which would be in most cases too small to be readable) is removed. Most importantly these Box Sets don't include any booklet offering a historical background and perspective about the Artists and the Music, which are extremely important and vital to the preservation of our Culture and passing the knowledge to the next generations. In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap. Considering the fact how many times this music has been sold over and over again by the labels, this is a crying shame!

Updated: 05/04/2024Posted:

CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

HOLLIES ~ ORIGINAL ALBUM SERIES VOL.2 PARLOPHONE 825646179817 (Barcode: 825646179817) ~ UK ~ Classic Pop Recorded: 1967 - 1970 Released: 2016 This Box Set collects the second five albums by the great British Pop group The HolliesFind albums by this artist, released between 1967 and 1970. They are: "EvolutionFind albums with this title" from 1967, "ButterflyFind albums with this title" from 1967, "Hollies Sing DylanFind albums with this title" from 1969, "Hollies Sing HolliesFind albums with this title" from 1969 and "Confessions Of The MindFind albums with this title" from 1970. The first two albums in this Box Set were recorded while Graham NashFind albums by this artist was still with the group and are the two strongest albums they ever recorded, full of brilliant Psychedelic Pop / Rock laced with superb vocal harmonies. The three post-Nash albums are quite remarkable considering the distress the group suffered following his departure and show how well they recovered. The complete post-Nash recordings by the group can be found in the fabulous boxed set called "Changin` Times (The Complete Hollies January 1969 – March 1973)Find albums with this title". As I have been saying for decades, it is painfully obvious, especially now in retrospect that The Hollies were an infinitely better group musically than The BeatlesFind albums by this artist; a statement I have been bitterly criticized for, but which I am ready to repeat any time. This music simply proves my point to anybody who is willing to listen with an open mind. Wholeheartedly recommended! Side Note The "Original Album SeriesFind albums with this title" by Warner Bros.Find albums on this label, the "Original Album ClassicsFind albums with this title" by SonyFind albums on this label, the "5 Original AlbumsFind albums with this title" by UniversalFind albums on this label, the Box Sets by RhinoFind albums on this label and other similar releases are an archetypal example of how good intentions turn sour. Although these new editions often bring back to life some of the best music ever made on this planet, which in many cases has been lost in the tides of time and was unavailable on the market for ages, they suffer from an unforgivable disregard for the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires as to treat our Cultural Legacy with respect and loyalty. The Box Sets produced under these monikers have no discographical information whatsoever about the lineups, musician names, composers, lyricists, dates and places of recording, original release data and even basic copyright data (the last is strictly illegal BTW). Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, they are often edited and information (which would be in most cases too small to be readable) is removed. Most importantly these Box Sets don't include any booklet offering a historical background and perspective about the Artists and the Music, which are extremely important and vital to the preservation of our Culture and passing the knowledge to the next generations. In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap. Considering the fact how many times this music has been sold over and over again by the labels, this is a crying shame!

Updated: 05/04/2024Posted: 08/02/2016

CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

JONI MITCHELL ~ ARCHIVES – VOLUME 3 (THE ASYLUM YEARS 1972-1975) RHINO 603497834303 (Barcode: 603497834303) ~ CANADA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1972 - 1975 Released: 2023 This is the third archival Box Set presenting recordings by the iconic Canadian singer / songwriter Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist. It includes five CDs worth of material spanning the years 1972 to 1975. The recordings include home demos, live performances, radio and TV broadcast and other sources. All of the songs (except two cases) are Mitchell originals and almost all (except one) were never previously released. CD1 presents two tracks form a Graham NashFind albums by this artist / David CrosbyFind albums by this artist session, four demos for the “For The RosesFind albums with this title” album and eighteen tracks recorded during a concert at Carnegie Hall in February 1972. CD2 presents four more tracks from the Carnegie Hall concert, six tracks from the early “For The Roses” sessions in April 1972, two tracks from a concert at Royal Festival Hall, six tracks from the later “For The Roses” sessions in July-August 1972 and finally two tracks from a benefit concert. CD3 presents six demos for the “Court And SparkFind albums with this title” album, one track from a Graham Nash session, one track from a Neil YoungFind albums by this artist session, six tracks from the “Court And Spark” sessions in September-October 1973 and finally six tracks from a concert at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in March 1974. CD4 presents sixteen more tracks from the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion concert. CD5 presents two tracks from a concert at New Victoria Theatre in April 1974, one track from a concert at Wembley Stadium in September 1974, seven demos for the “The Hissing Of Summer LawnsFind albums with this title” album and finally seven tracks from the “The Hissing Of Summer Lawns” sessions in 1975. This wonderful time capsule enables listeners to take a time machine some fifty years back in time and imagine they are sitting just a few meters away from Mitchell, who is singing her heart out. At those peak moments of her career she was absolutely marvelous as a performer and a completely unique songwriter, who would change the face of music in the forthcoming decades. Overall, this is a brilliant Box Set of enormous historical importance and an absolute must to all true Mitchell fans. The excellent sound quality of these recordings allows taking a fully enjoyable trip back in time, visiting the source of Mitchell’s illustrious career, with a hope that the next volumes of the archival series will bring many more hours of previously unheard material. This is beyond recommendation!

Updated: 19/12/2023Posted: 19/12/2023

CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set 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 ~ INNOCENT EYES ATLANTIC 081227992569 (Barcode: 081227992569) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1986 Released: 1986 This is the fourth solo album by the iconic British singer / songwriter Graham NashFind albums by this artist recorded in several studios with a huge team of studio musicians led by keyboardist Craig DoergeFind albums by this artist, who also co-produced the album. The album presents ten songs, five of which were composed by Nash and one was co-composed by him and Doerge. Although the album is soaked in the dreadful 1980s synthesizers and drum machines sound, musically it still presents solid songwriting which is able to save the day eventually. It proves that Nash was able to sand shoulder to shoulder with Pop / Rock songwriters / musicians of the next generation and be successful within the changing format. Of course Nash could have stayed within the classic, almost completely acoustic genre, but his exploration of the (then) contemporary Pop / Rock sound and instrumentation is as valid as any other approach. At the time of its release the album was slaughtered by the critics and the conservative Classic Rock listeners were not open to the new approach. Revisiting this album from a perspective of over three decades enables a new look at these songs, which stripped from the mannerisms of the period are all quite nice and withstand the test of time on the songwriting level. For long time Nash fans such a nostalgic journey might prove to be worthwhile, although the album is not that easy to find on the market these days. I have not listened to it since close to its release time and I was pleasantly surprised with the result. Nash earned his place on the pedestal of Classic Rock heroes and nothing is able to take it away, not even less successful releases like this one. If you happen to come across this album in the second hand stall don´t hesitate for a second and give it a chance.

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

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

GRAHAM NASH ~ LIVE PROPER 161 (Barcode: 805520031615) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2019 Released: 2022 This is a live album by legendary British singer / songwriter Graham NashFind albums by this artist, which presents contemporary interpretations of his first two solo albums: “Songs For BeginnersFind albums with this title” (1971) and “Wild TalesFind albums with this title” (1973). All eleven songs from the first album and ten songs from the second album are present in their original order. The album was recorded in 2019 during the Nash US solo tour, on which he performed only these songs, also in their original order. Nash is accompanied by a formidable set of musicians, which includes guitarist Shane FontayneFind albums by this artist, keyboardist / vocalist Todd CaldwellFind albums by this artist, guitarist / vocalist Thad DeBrockFind albums by this artist, bassist Andy HessFind albums by this artist, drummer Toby CaldwellFind albums by this artist and backing singers Celisse HendersonFind albums by this artist and Grace StumbergFind albums by this artist. The songs lost absolutely nothing from their original beauty, impact, melodic excellence and intelligent lyrics over the years and are a great reminder of the fact that Nash is one of the greatest songwriters of all times. His vocal abilities are completely intact and his presentation is sublime, as always. Overall, this is a superb reminder of the fact that music used to be great years ago, and some of its creators are still around to make us remember. These are some of the most beautiful Classic Rock songs ever written, and although Nash left Britain and settled in the US, where his music mates were / are living, he could never take out the “Britishness” out of his songwriting and singing, which was always as charming as humanly possible. This is absolute musical magic!

Updated: 07/06/2022Posted: 07/06/2022

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

GRAHAM NASH ~ NOW BMG 4050538888812 (Barcode: 4050538888812) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023 This is the seventh solo studio album by iconic British singer / songwriter Graham NashFind albums by this artist, which follows seven years after his previous album “This Path TonightFind albums with this title”. The album was recorded with a group of excellent instrumentalists, which includes keyboardist Todd CaldwellFind albums by this artist, who also co-produced the album and wrote the string arrangements, guitarists Shane FontayneFind albums by this artist and Thad DeBrockFind albums by this artist, and drummer Adam MinkoffFind albums by this artist. A string quartet appears on three tracks and occasional guests appear on a few other tracks. The album presents thirteen tracks, most written or co-written by Nash. Nash lost absolutely nothing of his ability to write brilliant songs, based on beautiful melodies and touching directly the listener’s heart. The lyrics are direct and personal, without any unnecessary pretentious subtexts. There are just a few songwriters left, who are able to write such songs, and with David CrosbyFind albums by this artist sadly departed and Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist mostly silent, Nash is proudly carrying the message of our generation forward. In many respects this album is a ticket to a time-travel ride back to the good old days, when songs had a melody and a message, and singers did not use electronics to stay in tune. Despite his age (eighty-one years young) Nash can still carry a tune like his did decades ago and his sense of melody is as acute as it ever was. Overall, this is a brilliant Classic Rock album, perhaps totally out of synch with today’s pseudo-music, but still full of what was considered once as musical values. Listening to this album causes a tear to appear in the corner of an eye, but who can help it. Every time a gem like this is released the tragedy of contemporary Pop / Rock becomes more evident. Nash never failed us before, and hopefully we will hear from him again, as soon as possible. In the meantime, we can listen to his collected recorded legacy, which remains untouched by passing time. An absolute must!

Updated: 28/05/2023Posted: 28/05/2023

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

GRAHAM NASH ~ OVER THE YEARS... RHINO 603497858026 (Barcode: 603497858026) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1968 - 2016 Released: 2018 This is a 2CD compilation album by iconic British Classic Rock vocalist / songwriter Graham NashFind albums by this artist, which is a collection of songs he wrote for his solo albums and collaborations with David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist and Neil YoungFind albums by this artist, collectively and individually. CD1 present fifteen tracks previously released on albums, except for two tracks which appear here in previously unreleased mixes. CD2 presents fifteen tracks of previously unreleased demos, except one previously released on the “ReflectionsFind albums with this title” album and two on the “DemosFind albums with this title” album, both originally released in 2009. The album reflects perfectly the sublime talents of Nash as singer and songwriter, spanning his entire career, albeit very briefly considering the vast recorded legacy Nash managed to create over the decades. The second CD with the demos is of course more interesting to Nash fans, who probably already own the songs on the first CD, and the album is worth getting just to hear that previously unreleased material. Overall, this album offers some rare previously unreleased material by one of the most creative Classic Rock musicians, which in many respects is one of the founding Fathers of the genre. Nash added the British sophistication and finesse to his American partners, thus amalgamating the best of Rock. A must to Nash fans / collectors!

Updated: 11/05/2022Posted: 11/05/2022

CD 2 Mini-Sleeve 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 ~ THIS PATH TONIGHT (DELUXE EDITION) BLUE CATLE 852550425167 (Barcode: 852550425167) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 This is the sixth solo album by British singer / songwriter Graham NashFind albums by this artist, one of the icons of Classic Rock. It comes fourteen years after the release of the previous solo album by Nash ("Songs For SurvivorsFind albums with this title"). The album presents ten new songs, all co-written by Nash and British guitarist / singer / songwriter / producer Shane FontayneFind albums by this artist. Nash handles the lead vocals and plays acoustic guitar and harmonica, Fontayne plays guitars and sings backing vocals, Todd CaldwellFind albums by this artist plays Hammond organ, Patrick WarrenFind albums by this artist plays keyboards, Jennifer CondosFind albums by this artist plays bass and Jay BelleroseFind albums by this artist plays drums. The download edition of this album offers three bonus tracks and this edition pairs the CD with a DVD, which features a live performance by Nash and Fontayne from 2015 and interviews. It seems that Nash made a full circle since he released his debut album "Songs For BeginnersFind albums with this title" forty five years earlier. This album is almost identical in its introspective, almost completely acoustic balladry. This is Nash, the brokenhearted romantic who never gives up hope and has enough love to share with the entire world. Musically the album presents a superb collection of stunning songs, which offer great melodies and highly intelligent lyrics, which almost never happens in music these days. The same qualities that made him so special many years ago are still all there: his vocal abilities are completely undamaged, as are his songwriting skills. Overall this is a calm, introvert, well balanced album, which makes the listener really to turn all the attention towards the music and the lyrics. Nash legendary status of a "songweaver of a generation" emerges unblemished, and apparently, over five decades since his musical career got started, he is still very much one of the best out there. The album definitely grows on the listener and for quite a while I couldn´t take it out of my CD player, returning to it repeatedly. In view of the fact that music of this quality and power is almost completely absent from today´s "music scene", this album is an absolute gem and a ray of hope that not all is lost yet. An absolutely essential masterpiece!

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

CD+DVD 2 Mini-Sleeve Essential 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

TERRY REID ~ ORIGINAL ALBUM SERIES RHINO 825646163960 (Barcode: 825646163960) ~ UK ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 1968 - 1991 Released: 2015 This Box Set collects five of the six albums by the British vocalist / guitarist / songwriter Terry ReidFind albums by this artist released between 1968 and 1991. They are: his debut album "Bang, Bang You`re Terry ReidFind albums with this title" from 1968, this eponymous second album "Terry ReidFind albums with this title" from 1969 (both produced by Mickie MostFind albums by this artist), the third album "RiverFind albums with this title" from 1973, the fifth album "Rogue WavesFind albums with this title" from 1978 and finally the sixth album "DriverFind albums with this title" from 1991. The fourth album "Seed Of MemoryFind albums with this title" from 1976 was sadly left out simply since there is no place for six albums in a five albums box; how stupid is that? Reid is sadly almost completely unknown to Rock fans, probably due to the fact that he refused several times offers that can´t be refused, like fronting Led ZeppelinFind albums by this artist (he recommended Robert PlantFind albums by this artist for the job) or fronting Deep PurpleFind albums by this artist as their lead singer. His solo albums never achieved commercial success, despite the fact that they were all excellent, which is a great pity. Reid´s completely original timbre of voice is one of the most unique in Rock history and his sensitivity and intelligence as a musicians were truly above most of his contemporaries. Reid incorporated in his music Blues and Soul influences, creating a long string of memorable performances over the years. He also cooperated with many first-rate musicians over time, like Graham NashFind albums by this artist, with whom he co-wrote songs and who produced his fourth album. When listening to these albums in retrospect it becomes obvious that success is blind as a bat, and in countless cases it prefers worthless twits to hidden geniuses. At least this music is now available again for future generations and hopefully it will be discovered by some and even properly appreciated. This is, after all, a great chapter in Rock´s history. Side Note: The "Original Album SeriesFind albums with this title" by Warner Bros.Find albums on this label and the "Original Album ClassicsFind albums with this title" by SonyFind albums on this label are an archetypal example of how good intentions turn sour. Although these new editions often bring back to life some of the best music ever made on this planet, which in many cases have been lost in the tides of time and was unavailable on the market for ages, they suffer from an unforgivable disregard to the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires us to treat our cultural legacy with respect and loyalty. The Box Sets produced under these monikers have no discographical information whatsoever about the lineups, musician names, composers, lyricists, dates and places of recording, original release data and even basic copyright data (the last is strictly illegal BTW). Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, they are often edited and information (which would be in most cases too small to be readable) is removed. In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap. Considering the fact how many times this music has been sold over and over again by the labels, this is a crying shame!

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

TERRY REID ~ SEED OF MEMORY EDSEL 425 (Barcode: 740155142520) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1976 Released: 1995 This is the 4th album by the extraordinary British singer Terry ReidFind albums by this artist, who is one of the most enigmatic and underrated artists of the era. His refusal to join Led ZeppelinFind albums by this artist as the band´s lead singer and later on again the refusal to replace Ian GillanFind albums by this artist in Deep PurpleFind albums by this artist are some of Rock´s most bizarre and legendary stories, both true of course. His unique voice, theatrical delivery and great sensibility were underappreciated and his recorded legacy is mostly completely unknown to most music fans, which is quite sad. This album features Reid´s own material and was recorded in the US with some incredible musicians supporting his. It was produced by Graham NashFind albums by this artist, who also sings vocal harmonies with Reid. In retrospect this is a little known gem, which deserves to be listened to. Highly recommended!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

JUDEE SILL ~ ABRACADABRA: THE ASYLUM YEARS RHINO 081227953423 (Barcode: 081227953423) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1971 - 1973 Released: 2006 This is a reissue / remaster of the first two albums by the enigmatic American singer / songwriter Judee SillFind albums by this artist: the eponymous “Judee SillFind albums with this title” from 1971 and “Heart FoodFind albums with this title” from 1973. The original albums are expanded by bonus tracks, which are alternate takes and live recordings. Sill appeared on the American Rock scene briefly and released just these two albums, and being almost completely forgotten she died from a drug overdose in 1979. At the early 1970s she was revered by many of her fellow Rock stars, like David CrosbyFind albums by this artist and Graham NashFind albums by this artist, who took part in the recording of the debut album. Following a lack of commercial success Sill was dropped by the AsylumFind albums on this label label and her third album was never completed. In retrospect she was a remarkable songwriter and an interesting singer, deserving wider recognition than she ever achieved, like many other great talents of that period. This reissue is a great reminder of her brief but extraordinary career. Overall, this is a wonderful opportunity to re-examine the legacy Sill left us, which beautifully reflects the feverish activity of the early 1970s, when some of the greatest music ever written was conceived and realized. Although five decades old, this music lost absolutely nothing of its beauty, depth and aesthetic values, which deserve to be remembered. A great opportunity to discover a forgotten jewel!

Updated: 16/08/2022Posted: 16/08/2022

CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Bonus Tracks 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 ~ BROADCAST COLLECTION 1973-1979 SOUNDSTAGE 50 (Barcode: 5294162605028) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1973 - 1979 Released: 2018 This archival Box Set collects live radio broadcasts by the great American singer / songwriter / guitarist Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist, captured over a period of six years during various concerts in the USA (and in one case in Cuba). The music includes mostly original songs by Stills, from either his solo albums or the albums he recorded with David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, Graham NashFind albums by this artist and Neil YoungFind albums by this artist. Surprisingly most of the music was recorded solo, with Stills singing and playing guitar, piano and harmonica. In some cases, he is accompanied by additional musicians, sadly not specified on the Box Set artwork. These six CDs show Stills as a superb, charismatic performer, able to hold a huge crowd of listeners mesmerized by his performances. He also proves to be one of the greatest American Rock guitar players, a position criminally overlooked by both listeners and critics alike. Of course Stills is also a superb songwriter and many of his songs are absolute Classic Rock anthems, covering a diverse spectrum of sub genres, from beautiful Soul ballads to Country, Rhythm And Blues and Rock. For people, like yours truly, who experienced this music as part of the Soundtrack of their Lives, this is an irresistible trip down memory lane, which boldly recaps why going to concerts used to be a life-changing experience. With well over six hours of brilliant music and great vibe, this Box Set is definitely something every Stills fan the world over should enjoy immensely. 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: 08/05/2023Posted: 21/06/2021

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