Crosby, Stills & Nash Album: “CSN”

Some people prefer the youthful flash of this trio's first album, some the rocknroll flash of the first one where "Y" was part of the mix, but I've always found CSN to be the most satisfying of Crosby, Stills and Nash' efforts in that particular formation. The main reason is that it sounds like three ADULTS really giving their all together; in the songwriting, in the harmonies, in every respect. Particular high points are Still's "See The Changes," a sort-of cousin musically to his earlier "Helplessly Hoping," but whose world-weary lyrics are some of the most penetrating the man ever wrote; Nash's "Cold Rain," about returning to where you originally came from and remembering why you left in the first place, with some wonderful close harmonies; Nash again with "Cathedral," a dramatic high point in the group's arrangements; and Crosby's "Shadow Captain," as potently evocative of sailing on the open seas as a song can get. This album doesn't have the "gosh-wow" factor of CSN's 1969 debut, but it's just as rewarding an album---maybe more.

I have had their debut and Deja-vu with neil young and 4way street all on vinyl since they were first released. In the past couple of years I replaced the vinyl with remastered cd's, it was only 'till today that I obtained a copy of CSN. Man this is so great and new to my ears needlessly for the past 25 yrs! Shame on me. If you have made the same mistake and passed this cd by than don't delay, it is fantastic. The vocals are so unbelievably strong and the music, dare I say it, the best they ever did or have done since. It is one very strong cd and it is a CSN essential.

So, because Yahoo! Music merged with Rhapsody, I finally have a chance to hear all of these out-of-print records I've searched countless bargain bins for, but never found! This makes me quite happy. Because for some reason, despite the fact that this was a very big seller that produced a couple hit singles, CSN is out-of-print in the U.S. Why? It's good! Maybe not as good as its two predecessors, but good nonetheless. I pretty much enjoy every song here: the hit single "Fair Game" is a Latin-jazz shuffle that provided the basis for Beck's hit "Tropicala" - it also has a really, really good acoustic guitar solo and is tremendously catchy. Oh, oh, and the harmonies! Can't forget the harmonies. "Shadow Captain" is a gentle, magnificent country-folk song; "See the Changes" is fun Latin-folk; the slow, ominous religion protest/acid trip recollection "Cathedral" is a fine tune, and unloads an unexpected tempo shift or two, and is one of the few Graham Nash songs that's honestly threatening; "Dark Star"(not the Dead tune) is the funkiest any soft-rock group has ever gotten by quite a long shot, and it's really good. And then there's the big hit, "Just a Song Before I Go." It is a bit dated, but it's a soothing, well-written song with some fine harmonies. A few of these songs aren't all that good (Stills' downbeat rocker "Run from Tears," redeemed only by the well-harmonized choruses; the underdeveloped tearjerker "Cold Rain;" "Anything at All;" "Carried Away," two ballads that don't go anywhere), but they're just mediocre fillers, rather than awful insults to the world of music. There isn't a bad song on this album, in fact! And whatever's weak, it's made up for by Stills' blaring, menacing rocker "I Give You Give Blind" - that's a cool song! So this comes highly recommended, despite not being as good as its two predecessors.

Back when "CSN" was originally released in June of 1977, it was something of a long-awaited reunion. Crosby, Stills & Nash's debut LP came out in 1969, and they added Neil Young to the mix for 1970's "Deja Vu" and 1971's double live album "4 Way Street", but neither CSN or CSNY were able to get it together for another album until here.

Of course, the guys were hardly idle in the meantime. CSNY did tour in 1974. Stephen Stills seems to have barely slept, making brilliant music as a solo artist in addition to putting together the band Manassas for live concerts and two albums; plus, he teamed up with Neil for the 1976 Stills-Young album "Long May You Run". David Crosby & Graham Nash continued to record and tour together, making fantastic music as a duo.

So, although "CSN" was only the second bonafide Crosby, Stills & Nash album up to this point, there was no doubt at all of the brilliance of each individual member. And this album, deservedly a huge hit, just proves it even further.

The album opener "Shadow Captain" has a suitably epic feel with spellbinding harmonies. "Anything At All" has Crosby's characteristic dreamy resignation to it, and in typical Crosby fashion, it really gets under your skin and moves you. The supremely tender "In My Dreams" is wonderful, with a brilliantly-realized punchy coda that Crosby claims was "a gift from Graham".

Speaking of Graham, he wrote the album's big hit with the short-and-sweet "Just A Song Before I Go" (which does feature some laughably aimless soloing from Stephen, as if he picked up the electric and did it all in one take having never heard the song before). Graham also offers the very pretty and yearning "Carried Away"; the eerily reflective "Cold Rain"; and a brilliant epic of his own with "Cathedral", a cautionary tale about the perils of organized religion.

Stills is consistently at his best here, which is saying a lot. "See The Changes" had been previously recorded in a CSNY version which would later appear on the CSN box set, but the version here is easily superior and more fully-realized. "Fair Game" is a deviously laidback Latin-flavored folk-rocker with lyrics that are a real riot, and Stephen rips out a hot acoustic solo toward the end. "Dark Star" is a tour-de-force, grooving along infectiously with a catchy opening riff, jazzy chord changes and electric piano work, more superb lyrics and vocal harmonies, and another great acoustic guitar solo from Stills. The orchestrated rocker "I Give You Give Blind", with its anthemic pleading choruses, brings the album to a rousing, soul-stirring conclusion.

I could go on and on, but really, the greatness of this album speaks for itself. Each member is demonstrated at their peak on this beautiful, must-have masterpiece.

About 3 or so months ago I asked a good friend of mine any recommendations he had for me before I was heading to the used CD store. He simply said, "If they have Crosby, Stills and Nash - CSN, get it immediately." Well the store didn't have it, but he was so adamant about the recommendation, I went to Best Buy and bought it new anyway.

And for the last 3 months, this has rarely, and I mean VERY rarely left my CD player. I've seen CSNY live, heard many of their other efforts, and while they are all outstanding, none of it is on the same level as this work. It seems that this album is criminally underrated, as I've only seen "See the Changes" talked about as anything noteworthy off this album.

The harmonizing on CSN represents their best and there is no finer example than the stunning and nicely paced "Shadow Captain". How this isn't a staple of classic rock radio is beyond me, but what do they know anyway? You can immediately feel that mid-70's California laid back vibe once this song starts, and it's maintained well throughout the record.

Graham Nash contributes a few tunes that add some somber moments. The gorgeous "Carried Away" is right up there with "Our House" as one of my most favorite piano led tunes the band has recorded. And of course the absolutely epic "Cathedral" starts off slow and brooding only to climax in a fury of anti-religious lyrics that are just mesmerizing.

"Dark Star" remains one of the grooviest tunes from the album. Featuring some great keyboards in the background, this song never fails to get me bobbing my head. The closer "I Give You Blind" is similar to this, and is the song that packs the most punch instrumentally.

It's hard to pick favorites from an album that is so strong start to finish, but if I only have time to play one track from this album I find myself just drawn to "In My Dreams" every time. The restrained, yet still gorgeous acoustic guitar work coupled with perfect harmonies and outstanding lyrics makes this a winner every time.

An unfortunately underrated album that I cannot stop playing. I can't stress enough how necessary this record is. 'Deja Vu' is great, and the other CSN works are worth your time, but this... this is a masterpiece.