Déjà Vu (CSN&Y) (LP 2252 - 2261)

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young   Déjà Vu (Vinyl, Atlantic Records, 1970) *****  

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young   Déjà Vu Alternates (Vinyl, Atlantic Records, 2021) * 

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young   4 Way Street  (Vinyl and CD, Atlantic Records, 2021) **** 

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young   CSN&Y 1974 (CD + DVD, Rhino Records, 2014) *****

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young   Roosevelt Raceway, Sept 1974 (CD, MCPS Records, 2014) ***

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young   American Dream (Vinyl, Atlantic Records, 1988) ***

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young   In Sync (Vinyl, Atlantic Records, 1988) *

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young   The Bill Graham Tribute Concert (San Francisco 1991) (CD, All Access Records, 2016) ***

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young   Looking Forward (CD, Reprise Records, 1999) ***

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young  Déjà Vu Live (CD, Atlantic Records, 2008) ****

Genre: pop rock 

Places I remember: Marbecks Records or JB Hi-Fi for a lot of these; My Music (Taupo) - Déjà Vu Alternates (part of Record Store Day releases). Déjà Vu Live is from the Virgin Megastore in Dubai.

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Carry On (first song on Déjà Vu - as soon as those harmonies start you know all will be well).

Gear costume: On The Beach (CSN&Y 1974). Good to hear all of the new songs introduced on this set. I do wonder what was going through the others' minds as Neil sang his solo songs, and he doesn't mince words: 

Think I'll get out of town
I head for the sticks with my bus and friends
I follow the road though I don't know where it ends 

Active compensatory factors: Was there ever a better corporate brand name than Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young? The first three were already a thing and Neil Young is definitely his own man, marching to his own beat. 

From time to time Young decided he needed the boost of the brand and so he joined in, on his own terms, of course.

Once the three agreed to Neil's presence (not a gimmie), then Déjà Vu gets CSN&Y off to a ripper of a start. Still, Neil's contributions are very much solo pieces given to the brand.

The Alternate version album is interesting but I'm so used to the proper versions I find it a bit awkward to listen to now.

The live albums came before the next studio effort. 4 Way Street was expanded for the CD age and it's one of those rare ones where it's better than the 4 sided vinyl original. I've deducted a star mainly because of Stephen Still's tiresome solo slot. The rest though is top notch guitar duels between Stills and Young and a judicious couple of solo songs each creates much needed variety.

Graham Nash was instrumental in organising the '74 tour tapes for release in 2012. It's a 3 CD, 1 DVD essential purchase. So many great versions of solo, duo, trio and the 4-some songs.

If you want more, and who doesn't? then try the radio broadcast from Roosvelt Raceway Sept 8, 1974. It's a beauty and is compiled from one concert (albeit truncated) rather than the cherry picked CSN&Y 1974 set.

By 1988 David Crosby was out of prison and he'd cleaned up, so CSN called in a promise made by Neil and the 4-some reconvened for a studio album (which turned out to be a big seller so Neil did okay out of the deal).

American Dream was the result of their reunion. Sadly 1988 wasn't a vintage year for the four and so the songs were a little lacklustre compared to Déjà Vu.

Highlights are Neil's Feel Your Love and Got It Made (Stills). 

Unfortunately there are some cringe moments as well with some weak Neil Young material, notably This Old House.

The In Sync record is a collection of individual interviews released to tie in with the release of American Dream.

It's made for radioland and so it's one for collectors only really. I picked it up for $10 from Real Groovy Records.

The Bill Graham Tribute Concert is a peak performance during this time. To their credit, they sure don't phone anything in during their performances.

It's a roughly democratic song selection - although Nash gets one, Crosby two, Stills two, Young three.

Highlights aplenty with this one, including an interesting, long version of that old chestnut in their concerts - Wooden Ships.

Their third studio record was Looking Forward, and like American Dream, is pretty even handed with the song selections. 

Again, like American Dream, it's a little underwhelming and Neil trots out another couple of average songs (for him). Stills has the best moment, for me, with Seen Enough. Maybe he gets inspired by Neil's presence but he seems to come out well ahead on these studio albums.

 

And so to their last effort together - the Neil Young led anti-war tour that is documented on Déjà Vu Live. For the most part it's freakin' awesome! This is one CSN&Y album that rewards being played REALLY LOUD!!!

The only mis-step being Let's Impeach The President. Free speech, Neil? Sure, but it doesn't make for a very good song.

Much better are brilliant versions of Military Madness, Déjà Vu, Shock And Awe, Wooden Ships. All featuring great guitaring by all concerned (and Neil's fiery approach is welcome).

It's notable that Stills is pretty anonymous on the album - just the one spotlight for him during the old Buffalo Springfield song For What It's Worth. Oh, and Find The Cost Of Freedom, but that was always a vehicle for all of CSN&Y.

Where do they all belong? That's it for Crosby, but there are still all the Nash, Stills, and Young solo albums to come when those letters come around.

Merry-go-round (Buffalo Springfield) (LP 170)

Buffalo Springfield Last Time Around (CD - Atco Records, 1968) **

Genre: Canadian pop/rock

Places I remember: The Warehouse (Cambridge) 

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: On The Way Home (the only track the original five members all play on).




Gear costume: I Am A Child, Kind Woman, Four Days Gone (all provide hints of solo greatness to come)

Active compensatory factors: Heavily tilted towards (ultimately, sub-par) songs by Stephen Stills and Richie Furay (with only two from Neil), Last Time Around was the band's third and final album and cobbled together to fulfill their contract and boy does it show! 

The front cover and title are clear indications that the band members are moving on. Neil is even facing the other direction to the rest and the back cover collage is a clear symbol of the cut and paste job happening inside.

Pity, because while the restless Neil Young loves the band in retrospect, and the Buffalo Springfield sound is unique, with strong individual egos pulling in different directions the band just couldn't sustain itself beyond two strong albums and this last one.

Where do they all belong? Richie Furay, Stephen Stills, Jim Messina, and Neil Young went on to realise their potential in the next decade in a variety of bands.

I been in my mind, it's such a fine mind (Neil Young) #536 - 539

Stereophonics Have A Nice Day/ Surprise/  Piano For A Stripper/ Heart Of Gold (live)/ Have A Nice Day (live)  (V2, 2001)
Stereophonics Step On My Old Size Nines (live)/ Everyday I Think Of Money (live)/ Just Looking (live)/ Caravan Holiday (live)/ Everyday I Think Of Money (live/ video)  (V2, 2001)
Stereophonics Mr Writer (live)/ Hurry Up And Wait (live)/  Don't Let Me Down (live)  (V2, 2001)
Stereophonics Moviestar (live)/ The Bartender And The Thief (live)/  Help Me (She's Out Of Her Mind) (live)/ Behind the scenes (tour video)  (V2, 2004)

Part two of the Stereophonics CD experience kicks off (and peaks early) with the sublime Have a Nice Day then it's a live, largely acoustic, trip through the other A sides.

They are fine, especially the sentimental tinge to Size Nines but Have a Nice Day stands out - great singalong material with Kelly Jones in fine form.

Hidden gems: Again, it's the covers that provide the real gold here. My favourite Beatles song - Don't Let Me Down is given an acoustic treatment which strips the song to a heartfelt plea and kinda accentuates Lennon's double entendre of she done me good: the sexual and the intangible idea that 'she did me a lot of good'.

Neil Young's Heart Of Gold is given a carbon copy treatment cos it's such a great song. Again, it's Kelly Jones' vocals that provide the point of difference.

There's calm in your eye (Neil Young) #443

Neil Young Like A Hurricane/ Hold Back The Tears (Reprise, RPS 1391, 1977)

Neil's another one of those album artists who makes some terrific songs that sometimes leak out as singles.

Like A Hurricane is a terrific example, albeit in edited form. 

I'd bet that the record company thought that this would make a great single, rather than Neil.

It has long been a concert highlight and it's longevity is down to those great poetic images and that guitar sound. The long live version I've attached is sublime - one of my favourite cinematic moments (that wind machine!), and a great version from Crazy Horse.

Hidden gem: Hold Back The Tears is also from American Stars And Bars and, yes, a laid back country honk style Neil Young gem.

I look at the world and I notice it's turning while my guitar gently weeps (The Beatles)

I recently blogged about the dire Eric Clapton autobiography on my Wozza's Place blog (http://www.wozzasplace.blogspot.com/) and mentioned that EC would probably make my top 20 guitarist list so I thought I'd put that to the test here.

So right off the bat I have to include on my rough list before getting down to 20:
George Harrison and John Lennon; Hendrix, of course; Jimmy Page; Leslie West; Alvin Lee; Chuck Berry; Keith Richards; Lenny Kaye; Muddy Waters; Neil Young and Stephen Stills; Pete Townshend; Roger McGuinn; David Gilmour; James Burton; Frank Zappa; Peter Green; Carlos Santana; Tony Iommi; Ritchie Blackmore; Joni Mitchell; Ry Cooder; Ernie Isley; Richard Lloyd; Joe Satriani; Eddie Van Halen; The Edge; Angus Young; Johnny Marr; John Squire; Dicky Betts and Duane Allman; Pat Travers; Rory Gallagher; Robby Krieger; Nick Drake; Jorma Kaukonen; Jerry Garcia; John Fogerty; Martin Barre; Ted Nugent; Chris Squire; Robin Trower; Dave Hill; Bill Frisell; George Benson; John Petrucci; Tom Morello; Andy Powell and Ted Turner; Billy Corgan; Adam Jones; Steven Wilson; Mikael Akerfeldt: Jesse Cook; John Mayer; Ron Wood; Stuart Adamson; Stone Gossard and Mike McCready; Lowell George; Billy Gibbons; Matthew Sweet.

That'll do. The most glaring omission is probably Jeff Beck but I only really like some stuff he did with The Yardbirds and I honestly can't add him to the list of my favourites based on a couple of songs.

So how many is that? 64 great guitarists, 65 when EC is included.

Hmm - how to judge them and leave out 45 of them?

Inventiveness, legacy, impact, originality, depth and breadth.

The Top Ten first of all (11 to 20 in the next post).

Obviously Jimi Hendrix is in a category all of his own and is the first name on the team sheet. A freak who like Miles Davis (Trumpet) and John Coltrane (Sax) single-handedly revolutionised his instrument. So many outstanding songs but I can't go past Voodoo Chile (both single and LP versions).

2 and 3 George Harrison and John Lennon. Yes I'm a Beatles/Lennon obsessive but they were also amazingly inventive guitarists. Best George moments come on Revolver and John's sublime visceral guitar on the Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band's Why has to be heard to be believed.

4 Rory Gallagher. I've raved about Rory from time to time in the blog. Best moments come on the Irish Tour '74 album and Cradle Rock in particular.

5 Tony Iommi defined a whole genre of metal guitar, sludge rock, stoner rock - whatever you want to call it. So many great riffs but War Pigs is my pick.

6 Ritchie Blackmore is so great he sustained a career beyond Deep Purple into Rainbow. Tie between Rainbow Rising and Machine Head as his best work. P.S. Rest in peace Jon Lord who died this week. His organ guitar duels with Ritchie are part of the signature Deep Purple sound we all love so much.

7 Carlos Santana makes the earth move. Somehow he tapped into chords and sustain that no one else has.

8 Ry Cooder - Jesus On The Mainline contains simply the best slide guitar playing...ever!

9 Neil Young has done it all and seems to be able to play any style he wants - rockabilly, punk, folk, country, blues, and inspired rock guitar are all within his grasp. It's hard to blow past Hurricane but for me the lather he whips up on Southern Man (Journey From The Past) is amazingly succinct - even when he stretches out!

10 Frank Zappa and his Hot Rats album was revolutionary - like a lot of his music, but he was no one trick rock fusion guitarist. No pigeon holes for Frank. Try Watermelon in Easter Hay from the Joe's Garage triple and be prepared to be impressed.

So far - no EC. Will he make the top 20?

I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles and miles and miles and miles...(The 'Oo)

I've reorganised my collection again and moved all the Greatest Hits compilations into their own section.

These compilations are often record company marketing decisions rather than artistic statements by musicians so I (mostly) feel justified in separating them.

There are always exceptions, though, where either the artist has an input or the collection just clicks or else the band is so great that every song is a must have. These are the ones I want to focus on. Here are some of my favourites.

The Who - Meaty Beaty Big And Bouncy. When Pete Townshend reviewed the album for Rolling Stone magazine in 1971 he called it 'the greatest of Who albums'. As a celebration of 'Oo singles it is without peer. Hit after hit after hit after hit...

Favourite moment: My name is Bill and I'm a headcase (from I'm A Boy)

Neil Young - Decade. A bespoke collection from Mr Shakey himself. A perfect collection of his best moments, a lot of which were first released on this triple album!

Favourite moment: Winterlong.

The Raspberries - The Raspberries. Capitol put this out in 1991 under their Collectors Series banner and it scoops up all the hits by the best U.S. power pop band (Badfinger are, of course, the U.K.'s representative). Twenty tracks and every one delivers.

Favourite moment: Baby don't go!! Eric Carmen's heart felt cries (from If You Should Change Your Mind).

The Beach Boys - Ballads. The number of Beach Boys compilations must easily exceed the studio albums as repackaging of hits has continued throughout the years in a helter skelter fashion. Ballads contains twelve tracks and it goes without saying that all twelve are superb creations. The thematic idea of just including twelve ballads works brilliantly, much better that the Beatles' Ballads collection which had far too many tracks (20).

Favourite moment: Warmth Of The Sun captures the feeling of the warm rays in song. Everything great about the group is right there - the unique blend of voices, Brian's musical genius, Mike Love's succinct lyrics.



Mary Chapin Carpenter - Party Doll and Other Favorites. I've bought quite a few of her albums and so far none can compare to this compilation. It really shouldn't hold together as well as it does - there are live tracks, studio tracks including Jagger's weird title song and her brilliant version of Lennon's Grow Old With Me mixed in with the hits and album tracks.

Favourite moment: This shirt.



Ricky Nelson - 22 Golden Greats. This compilation is perfect - all the timeless hits from the whole of Ricky Nelson's career. Often because bands appear on different labels their career best collections fail to include all the good bits, frinstance I've not yet found a good Small Faces compilation. This one is a thorough and brilliant collection.

Favourite moment: Lonesome Town.



Lindisfarne - The Best of Lindisfarne. There are 16 reasons why Lindisfarne are an important band on this CD. Sixteen tracks is about perfect. I really much prefer a succinct CD like this to double CD bloated efforts.

Favourite moment: Lady Eleanor.



The Hollies - He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother. Like The Beach Boys, The Hollies have been compiled to death. I have a number of them and this is the best somehow. I think it's the sequencing of songs (it's definitely not a 'hits' collection). Again it shouldn't work - there is no chronology or even reason behind some of the selections and there are some notable omissions, instead, it's that unpredictability and depth that I like.

Favourite moment: The kitchen sink drama of Too Young To Be Married

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Circled so fine like a velvet palace (Hot Tuna)

Today's album cover theme centres on the striking typography used to register a name into a buyer's consciousness.

Still gotta keep makin the loot (10CC)

Still continuing with that first theme - the musician takes centre stage, here are my top 10 album covers using long shots.

John and Yoko's Unfinished Music No2 - Life With The Lions

Neil Young turns his back on stardom and aims for the ditch.

Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band

Paul (Ramon) and Linda McCartney

Frank and Don alone together.

Sick again

Yes I am - a cold I think (as opposed to H1N1). Whenever I am in this condition - mopey, lacking energy, sniffly, vaguely sorry for myself - I dig out a few staples.

Neil Young, Dylan, Lennon and Eels make up the soundtrack on this occasion. Maybe it's the sloppiness and worldweariness of Tonight's The Night that suits my mood best. Open up the tired eyes and climb the ladder to that helicopter day indeed!Side two in particular does it good with the superbly elongated Albuquerque cranked up real loud, and Tired Eyes with it's advice and bullet holes amid a cocaine deal that goes sour. Woagh!

This was the first Neil Young album I ever bought. It was in a Queen Street music shop's 1975 remainder bin. I was 15 and had no idea what I was about to listen to. Up to that point it was a steady diet of Beatles, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Rory Gallagher, Jimi Hendrix. Note the paucity of sensitive singer songwritery types in my diet back then.

The TTN cover gives some clues - black'n'white, bleak, bleary, blurry. Sunglasses deliberately disguise expressions. Neil looks like he's emerging from a drug fog. When I eventually got to the music it was stripped down, slurry, druggy and...honest! Wough. This was something of a revelation to me - going through my own teenage male foggy years as I was - I wasn't sure what to make of it. It certainly wasn't a pretty time.

The album gave me the chance to explore some of the bleaker margins of rock's back pages. I finally bought John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band - having shied away from it thinking it was all screaming and non-music (like Life With The Lions that I also got about that time from Marbecks). Dylan's Blood on the Tracks was another acquisition at this time. First I taped a version after borrowing a copy from the Central City Library. Then I had to own a copy.




These three are my holy trinity - honest to a fault, bare to the bone, and wound revealing. They're perfect when you're sick.







They have been joined by only one other album in the years since - Eels' Electric Shock Blues - an extraordinary group of songs about death (like the other three - Young's death of Danny Whitten/Bruce Berry, Dylan's death of a marriage, and Lennon's death of a dream). In E's case it's both his sister and mother. It's a harrowing album about Elizabeth's suicide and also his mother's death from cancer, but, and this is the kicker with each of these albums - amazingly, it's got some great songs.

If you can suggest any others to fit with this company I'd love to hear it. They must be soul-bracingly honest, sparse in their instrumentation, raw of sound and thematically make sense over the whole album. A tall order. For that reason the following albums, while brilliant, don't quite make it in this company - Springsteen's Nebraska (not about him), Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono band (thematically she touches on the miscarriage but it's not sustained over the album), Springsteen's Tunnel of Love (too ornate), Jackson Browne's Running on Empty (not bleak enough), Nirvana's In Utero (that thematic thing again - it's certainly bleak enough, raw enough, and honest).

Key tracks - Idiot wind (Blood on the Tracks), Borrowed Tune (Tonight's the Night), My Mummy's Dead (John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band), 3 Speed (Electro-shock Blues).

Here's one of them - Dylan at his pungent, poisonous, spiteful best: