Record Reviews

CPR ~ CPR BMG 4050538588613 (Barcode: 4050538588613) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1998 Released: 2020 This is a reissue of the debut studio album by the American Classic Rock trio, CPRFind albums by this artist, led by the iconic singer / songwriter David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, guitarist / vocalist Jeff PevarFind albums by this artist and Crosby’s son keyboardist / vocalist James RaymondFind albums by this artist. The trio is accompanied by several bassists like Leland SklarFind albums by this artist and James HutchinsonFind albums by this artist and drummers like Steve DiStanislaoFind albums by this artist and Michael BlandFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven original songs, written or co-written by the trio members. The trio’s sound and musical direction is remarkably similar to the Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist legacy, with brilliant vocal harmonies, beautiful lyrical songwriting and heartfelt performances, but it had its own somewhat different slightly Jazzy tinge due to Pevar’s inclination in that direction. The group was founded shortly after Crosby’s liver transplant and his meeting with Raymond, who grew up with foster parents. The two clicked immediately and remain inseparable to this very day, making music together. Founding of the trio marked Crosby’s remarkable return to music making, which resulted in one more studio album with CPR and two live albums, as well as a string of solo albums and tours with Crosby, Stills & Nash. Overall this is a remarkable Classic Rock album, with every song just perfect, sublime singing and harmony, in short an instant classic. It is great to have it reissued and readily available again and since this is absolutely timeless music, anybody who missed at the time – here is an opportunity to make things right!

Updated: 25/02/2022Posted: 15/02/2022

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

CPR ~ JUST LIKE GRAVITY BMG 4050538588637 (Barcode: 4050538588637) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2001 Released: 2020 This is a reissue of the second studio album by the American Classic Rock trio CPRFind albums by this artist, led by the iconic singer / songwriter David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, guitarist / vocalist Jeff PevarFind albums by this artist and Crosby’s son keyboardist / vocalist James RaymondFind albums by this artist. The trio is accompanied by bassist Andy FordFind albums by this artist (or Leland SklarFind albums by this artist on one track) and drummer Steve DiStanislaoFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve original songs, written or co-written by the trio members. The trio’s sound and musical direction is remarkably similar to the Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist legacy, with brilliant vocal harmonies, beautiful lyrical songwriting and heartfelt performances, but it had its own somewhat different slightly Jazzy tinge due to Pevar’s inclination in that direction. The group was founded shortly after Crosby’s liver transplant and his meeting with Raymond, who grew up with foster parents. The two clicked immediately and remain inseparable to this very day, making music together. Founding of the trio marked Crosby’s remarkable return to music making, which resulted in two studio and two live albums with CPR, as well as a string of solo albums and tours with Crosby, Stills & Nash. Overall this is a remarkable Classic Rock album, with every song just perfect, sublime singing and harmony, in short an instant classic. It is great to have it reissued and readily available again and since this is absolutely timeless music, anybody who missed at the time – here is an opportunity to make things right!

Updated: 25/02/2022Posted: 25/02/2022

CD 1 Digipak Remastered 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

DAVID CROSBY ~ CROZ BLUE CASTLE 1142 (Barcode: 852550011421) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2014 Released: 2014 This is the fourth studio album by the iconic American singer / songwriter David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, released twenty one years after the release of its predecessor "Thousand RoadsFind albums with this title" (1993). Although some live recordings by Crosby, like the live album "It`s All Coming Back To Me Now...Find albums with this title" (1994) and other recordings with his old mates released as Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist and Crosby & NashFind albums by this artist, as well as the band CPRFind albums by this artist which he formed with his son singer / songwriter / keyboardist James RaymondFind albums by this artist, this solo album marks the end of an excruciatingly long wait for a new solo album by his many fans and followers. It also marks a renewed, almost feverish, span of activity which so far produced two additional new albums: "LighthouseFind albums with this title" and "Sky TrailsFind albums with this title". The album presents eleven songs, nine of which were written by Crosby or co-written by Crosby and Raymond and two which were written by Raymond. A great support band featuring Raymond (who also co-produced the album) on keyboards and other instruments, drummer Steve DiStanislaoFind albums by this artist, guitarist Marcus EatonFind albums by this artist, bassist Kevin McCormickFind albums by this artist and others and surprise appearances by guests like guitarist Mark KnopflerFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Wynton MarsalisFind albums by this artist create an ideal sonic environment for the songs. The album presents a sensational collection of beautiful songs, which match the creative juices that flew when Crosby wrote the material for his seminal debut album "If I Could Only Remember My NameFind albums with this title" forty three years earlier. Musically the album returns to the typical Crosby songwriting of low key introvert conversations with himself, with awe-inspiring melodic and harmonic contents. His vocals are expressive and touching like in the old times. The music and the texts are sublime and the contemporary production and superb instrumental work all add up to create one of the best Classic Rock albums recorded in the new Millennium. All Crosby fans around the world should find this simply irresistible. 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: 18/01/2019Posted: 23/03/2018

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

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

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

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

DAVID CROSBY ~ SKY TRAILS BMG 4050538286458 (Barcode: 4050538286458) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 One year ago exactly to the day I wrote a review of the album "LighthouseFind albums with this title" by the legendary singer / songwriter David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, one of my favorite musicians of all times. And here we are, one year later, with another new album by Crosby, his sixth studio effort, a record braking achievement considering his prolonged periods of silence in the past. The album presents nine new original songs, eight of which were composed or co-composed by Crosby, and one classic song by Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist ("Amelia" from the album "HejiraFind albums with this title") beautifully performed by Crosby. The main collaborator on this album is the songwriter / keyboardist, the album´s producer and the writer of one song James RaymondFind albums by this artist, who is of curse Crosby´s son. The songs are everything one can expect from Crosby: heartbreakingly lyrical, deeply moving and still pretty much unique, since over the years nobody with the same sensitivity and ability to touch the right chords of our souls was able to replace Crosby´s songwriting. Musically the album is beautifully diverse, with touches of Jazz and artistic Rock arrangements, which emphasize the poetic lyric and expressive melodies. A plethora of excellent instrumentalists contribute to the overall result, with the recording done in several studios but presenting a coherent ambience and sound quality. Crosby´s delicate voice gets just a little lost on a couple of tracks, but not enough to be really a problem. Overall a splendid job done by everybody involved and another career milestone. As I said a year ago, many of my generation´s idols are either leaving us or falling into silence, so Crosby´s surge of activity, vitality and creativity is an absolute blessing. Thanks to everybody for another horn of plenty, of which we can never get enough. For Classic Rock connoisseurs this is an absolute must of course and thank God that someone is still sane enough to write songs. Go David!

Updated: 18/01/2019Posted: 02/01/2018

CD 1 Digipak 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