Record Reviews

DAVID CROSBY ~ HERE IF YOU LISTEN BMG 4050538429534 (Barcode: 4050538429534) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 It seems that David Crosby experienced a miraculous rejuvenation process since the mid-2010s, as he comes back with his seventh studio album, and fourth consecutive release since "CrozFind albums with this title" (2014), followed by "LighthouseFind albums with this title" (2016), "Sky TrailsFind albums with this title" (2017) and now "Here If You ListenFind albums with this title" (2018), a truly incredible proficiency and productivity, considering his age. It gives me an immense pleasure to be able to write about a new Crosby release as one of my first reviews in a New Year, now for the third time. This album, although musically a consistent continuation of Crosby´s life-long musical path, is quite different from his previous releases, since contrary to the credit that Crosby receives on the album´s cover, it is in fact a genuine team effort. It was recorded in an intimate quartet setting with Michael LeagueFind albums by this artist, Becca StevensFind albums by this artist and Michelle WillisFind albums by this artist, called the Lighthouse BandFind albums by this artist since these musicians took part in the recording of the A/M "Lighthouse" album. All four participants sing and play a plethora of instruments (bar drums!) and co-wrote ten of the eleven songs on the album, with the exception of the timeless "Woodstock" by Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist, which gets here a marvelous new treatment. The music is a magical trip back to the spirit of the 1960s, in the best possible meaning of the idiom, full of superb melodies, intelligent lyrics and sublime vocal harmonies, which are every bit as effective as those appearing on the groundbreaking debut album by Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist. It is almost impossible to believe that this music was created in 2018, as my belief in the ability to create anything as musical as this by contemporary musicians has been almost completely lost over time. Perhaps Crosby´s aura inspired these young people and catalyzed this extraordinary event. Whatever the reasons behind it, this album is a 100% bona fide Classic Rock and an instant essential listening. It is also a classic example of the victory of spirit over matter, talent over age and light over darkness. As joyful and blissful this music might be, sadly it only emphasizes the musical void that surround us. Go David and God Bless!

Updated: 18/01/2019Posted: 18/01/2019

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

DAVID CROSBY ~ LIGHTHOUSE VERVE 602557238686 (Barcode: 602557238686) ~ USA ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 A couple of years ago (in 2014) legendary singer / songwriter David CrosbyFind albums by this artist of the ByrdsFind albums by this artist and Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist fame, released his fourth studio album ("CrozFind albums with this title") after twenty one years of silence, and forty three years after the release of his debut album, which means that his average output is one album every eleven years give or take a year. And now, against all odds and just two years later, he´s back with another album, his fifth studio effort, with nine great new songs! Although released under Crosby´s name, the album is actually a duo effort, with Crosby co-writing most of the songs and performing them with Michael LeagueFind albums by this artist, bassist, guitarist and the leader of the instrumental group Snarky PuppyFind albums by this artist. Most of the songs feature just Crosby singing and playing acoustic guitar and League accompanying him on various guitars and bass and singing backing vocals. Crosby´s voice, which I had the immense pleasure to listen to live last year (2015), is remarkably steady and clear, although his range is obviously limited by age and he does not use his dramatic falsetto any more. Nevertheless he is still a formidable performer and the intimate setting of this album suits him ideally. The songs are all very good, both musically and lyrically. Although the times when songs had to have a great melody and intelligent lyrics are long forgotten, Crosby still adheres to this golden formula, which is a blessing. His natural melancholy and deep lyricism are still intact and the songs reflect these qualities, as they always did over the years. Considering the fact that the generation of great musicians, to which Crosby belongs, is being depleted on a daily basis, the fact that Crosby is still with us, in spite of his serious heath problems over the years, is a true miracle. For us, mere followers of his musical journeys, this album is like winning a lottery, which makes getting older just a bit easier for a while. Keep on, David! God Bless!

Updated: 18/01/2019Posted: 02/01/2017

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

DAVID CROSBY ~ LIVE AT THE CAPITOL THEATRE BMG 4050538640298 (Barcode: 4050538640298) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2018 Released: 2022 This is a live album by the iconic American singer / songwriter / guitarist David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, recorded with a trio called The Lighthouse BandFind albums by this artist, which comprises of vocalist / guitarist Becca StevensFind albums by this artist, vocalist / keyboardist Michelle WillisFind albums by this artist and vocalist / guitarist / bassist Michael LeagueFind albums by this artist. The album offers a CD and DVD, both presenting the same sixteen tracks: several Crosby’s classics and the rest new songs co-written by Crosby and the trio members and only one track originating from outside the quartet, a Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist classic. The sound quality, which is especially important in this mostly acoustic and delicate music, is absolutely stunning. The album was recorded in December 2018, following the release of two superb Crosby albums: “LighthouseFind albums with this title” and “Here If You ListenFind albums with this title”, which were recorded with the same band, and naturally offers several songs, which appear on these two studio albums. The music and the performances are absolutely stellar, based first and foremost on the divine vocal harmonies the four vocalists are able to create together, and of course also on Crosby’s unparalleled songwriting. Crosby, who was nearing eighty at the time, seems to be in high spirits and his voice is still steady and strong, and most importantly absolutely clear, with a sense of harmony which led his musical career at all times. Crosby is a true icon of American Rock, and his combined recorded legacy is certainly one of the most impressive among all his peers. Open-minded and searching, his music is a soundtrack of my generation and I love his contribution deeply and wholeheartedly. Overall, this is an instant classic album, which encapsulates American Rock at its best. Based on vocal harmonies, which originate in Folk music, and embracing Psychedelia and Rock, this is pure musical ambrosia, which Crosby managed to carry on for his entire life. God bless and please stay with us for many years, singing and playing guitar, as Classic Rock without you, David, would be simply mostly meaningless.

Updated: 18/01/2023Posted: 18/01/2023

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend