Crosby & Nash
Review of their gig in Vicar Street, Dublin, 1 March 2005
Review Snapshot:
I've never been this impressed at a gig before. I spent the first hour
or so in complete shock, beatific amazement, and child like wonder. Their
enthusiasm and love of the material comes across like no one else I've ever
seen. They hug each other at the end of a great song, knowing what they've done
and all I can do is gaze, stunned. I've heard the Harlem Gospel and loved every
minute of it, but if there is a God, this is how he intended man to sound. As
the old saying goes, "if there's anything better He kept it for himself."
The
CLUAS Verdict?
8 out of 10
Full review: I didn't quite know what to expect coming into this gig. I first got turned
onto Crosby, Stills and Nash a few years ago when my Dad gave me a present of
the Jefferson Airplane's "Surrealistic Pillow" and 3 Doors albums, and I started
to get turned on to the "San Francisco Sound." My first listen to CSN's debut
album was mind blowing. Suite: Judy Blue Eyes, Helplessly Hoping, Long Time
Gone, all amazing tunes, and those harmonies. Beautiful.
But what effect had time, drug addiction (and the accompanying redemption) done
to the musicians. The only solo album I have is "If I could only remember my
name" a 1970 album by Crosby, and it is patchy at best.
Any fears I had were quashed as soon as the band walked on stage, relaxed,
friendly and most definitely in control. They kicked the show off with a rousing
version of "Military Madness" the song with which they open all their European
shows, to let us know that they are from the "other half of America... hey
it's embarrassing!" The musicianship was outstanding, with lead guitar
supplied by Steely Dan's Rick Derringer, but I had come to hear the harmonies,
and wow. I was in awe. I don't think I have ever heard anything sound so
perfect. It could almost be described as angelic, but that's a bit of a misnomer
when you're singing about the killings at Ohio State (Military Madness), the
joys of a good joint (Marrakesh Express), or just with almost 20 years of crack
cocaine addiction behind you (Crosby).
I spent the first half of the show in stunned admiration, absolutely astounded.
That's not to say it was perfect however, some of their new songs weren't quite
up to scratch. I'm not saying they were bad, not by any means, but while they
were expertly written and lovingly performed they quite often lacked that
certain "edge." For this reason I think that the show good as it was, would be
incomparable to a CSN or CSNY show. The virtuosity and grit added by Stills and
Young would have gone a long way tonight, not to mention that I would have heard
"Suite: Judy Blue Eyes."
Highlights of the night were "Long Time Gone" "Almost Cut My Hair" and the
excruciatingly beautiful "Guinnevere." I've always loved Long Time Gone, but
Guinnevere never really did it for me on record, it was just another "nice"
song, never really transcending the medium. But holy shit, this was amazing. The
entire venue fell silent, legitimate "shock and awe", and even at the end of the
song there was a deadly quite, an intake of breath, before reality hit home and
the applause broke out.
All in all, it was an exceptional gig. The harmonies were out of sight, the
crowd interaction and the musicians' love of the material was uplifting, indeed
my only regret was that I couldn't fire up a joint during the intermission (see
note below). Well worth the 50 euro, even if it has killed my social life for
the next month. If you get a chance to see them, do.
Daragh Murray
Note: Excuse us as we state the obvious but Mr. Murray's reference in the final
paragraph above to 'firing up a joint' was tongue in cheek, an ironic reference
to the new smoking legislation introduced in Ireland in 2004. A website that
advocates good family-values, we wish to take the opportunity to remind y'all
that CLUAS does not condone nor encourage the use of soft drugs. Or hard ones
for that matter.
Feel free to discuss this review on our
Indie Music Discussion board.
