Record Reviews

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

VAN MORRISON ~ DUETS: RE-WORKING THE CATALOGUE RCA 888750684424 (Barcode: 8887506844242) ~ IRELAND ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015 This is the 35th studio album by Iconic Irish singer / songwriter Van MorrisonFind albums by this artist, recorded with an extended band, which includes a brass section. The album presents sixteen tracks and on each of the tracks Morrison sings a duet with a different vocalist. All the songs were written by Morrison and span his entire five decades long career up to the date of the recording. The songs cover mostly the lesser known material from his extensive catalogue and the invited guests are amongst the most famous vocalist / musicians on the planet, including George BensonFind albums by this artist, Gregory PorterFind albums by this artist, Georgie FameFind albums by this artist, Steve WinwoodFind albums by this artist, Chris FarloweFind albums by this artist, Mark KnopflerFind albums by this artist, Taj MahalFind albums by this artist and others. As the list of the guests shows, the music covers many genres: Jazz, Blues, Rock, Soul and others. Morrison’s vocals are every bit as strong as always and his duets with all the invitees work out perfectly. The rich orchestral arrangements are also perfect and the album is a great opportunity to get familiar with some of the finest, but forgotten songs in his catalogue. Overall, this is another wonderful album by one of the greatest singers / songwriters of all time, enhanced by the vocals of other iconic vocalists / musicians, which offers an excellent collection of songs, which is a great fun to listen to.

Updated: 05/11/2023Posted: 05/11/2023

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend