{We had strange seats, in the choir behind the stage - looking out over the auditorium almost exactly as the band would. My it's a distracting view and I suspect not altogether inspiring for the performers. Depending on the light, you can see everything - every bored looking glum face, every anti-social twat taking pictures, every rapt fan singing along... we were frequently entranced by a tanned and goatee-d older bloke accompanied by a much younger thai bride doing her level best to seem interested and happy with events. At various other points I found myself captivated by i) Graham Nash's bare feet, ii) the Spinal Tap wannabe drummer (haven't seen a hair perm like that in decades, iii) the autocue iv) the backstage support crew v) why does Stills keep changing his shoes and how come I never see him do it?}.
Anyway, the boys started with a short set of accoustic three-part harmony fare.. Stills on guitar sometimes assisted by Nash, while Crosby stood around like he was waiting for a bus. It was a struggle to stay awake on a very a hot evening.
Things turned around significantly after an interval as they rolled out the rock, blues-rock, country-rock and folk-rock end of the repetoire to dramatically improved effect.
I can't really remember the song lists, but Crosby's proto-prog, sun-baked, acid-fueled, desert epics were the standout - he has charisma by the truckload - even looking like he's just got in after a day out ranching. And I was surprised and delighted with Stills on electric guitar. As a unit they were a real pleasure; with their easy banter, gentle ribbing, and constant humble glory-passing.
Overall, it was a little too valedictorian for my liking. There was one new track, a handful of well executed covers. The alternating of the lead singing, songwriting and guitar is clearly their strength and does maintain interest. There was an enormous trumpeting elephant in the room - the band's perenial ghost - Neil Young. On the one hand they do just fine without him and it's no surprise it never worked, while on the other hand they miss the stroppy, awkward, argumentative, kicking, visceral and vitriolic personality. Young moved on fast, a melancholic shooting star running in the trail of Dylan's super-comet.
CSN still have a lotta soul though.
oh a final p.s. - they should give Rick Rubin a call. His revitalising, stripped back and staring the devil in the eye approach to american roots would work a treat here. Or perhaps Ry Cooder.
1 comment:
After watching their Glasto highlights, I found the names of my favourite songs from this; all Crosby prog-rock epics with wonderful Stills solo-ing - Deja Vu, Wooden Ships, Long Time Coming.
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