Review: Crosby, Stills and Nash

Photos by Chuck France/Special to The Star

Somewhere in the middle of a show that lasted two and a half hours (intermission included) and comprised two dozen songs, David Crosby reminded his audience: This is our 40th year together. By "our" he meant Crosby, Stills and Nash. But the trio's career goes back farther than that and it includes membership in some of the more elite bands in rock history (the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, the Hollies).

Sunday night, CSN drew about 4,500 fans out to Starlight Theatre to revisit those 40 years and a few that preceded them. After opening the show with two of their own, including the '80s hit "Wasted On the Way,"  Crosby  announced they'd be performing a few well-known covers -- a sign of a recording to come, apparently.

So they put their own spins on the Stones' "Ruby Tuesday"; on James Taylor's "You Can Close Your Eyes"; on Dylan's "Girl From the North Country"; and on the Allman Brothers' "Midnight Rider." A few songs later, they covered the Dead's "Uncle John's Band" and dedicated it to Jerry Garcia. The arrangements on all were no-frills: lots of acoustic guitar and warm three-part harmonies. 

The setlist also included a few songs from the Buffalo Springfield catalog: "Rock and Roll Woman," "Bluebird" and one of the closers, "For What It's Worth."

Not many singers in their late 60s sing like they did in their 20s (Crosby is 68, Stephen Stills is 64 and Graham Nash is 67), but all three have sustained enough quality and control in their voices to deliver respectable re-creations of nearly every song. Nash still has some Hollies in his voice, and Crosby especially sounded soulful during two of his bigger moments: "Guinevere" and "Almost Cut My Hair."

Of the three, Stills has lost the most vocally, but he more than made up for that with his guitar play. WIth some help from the backup band, which included bassist Bob Glaub, "from Kansas City," Crosby said (apparently he's not). Stills indulged in some extended instrumental jam during a few songs, like "Deja Vu" and "Almost Cut My Hair," which turned into one of the evening's highlights. Crosby pretty much nailed the vocals, and Stills and the band cooked up a nice rock/blues jam in the middle.

That was one of the few times all night the vibe in the place rose above room temperature. Some sing-alongs broke out here and there -- especially the one Nash orchestrated during "Teach Your Children" -- but for the most part, this was a sit-down, kick-back affair for an older, seasoned crowd. "We have all been here before" goes the line in "Deja Vu." It was also the theme, and the point, of this nostalgic, late-summer evening.

| Timothy Finn, The Star

Setlist: Helplessly Hoping, Wasted On The Way, Ruby Tuesday, You Can Close Your Eyes, Girl From the North Country, Midnight Rider, Guinevere, Dream For Him, In Your Name, Uncle John's Band, Our House, Southern Cross. Intermission. Love the One You're With, Marrakesh Express, Rock and Roll Woman, Long Time Gone, Just A Song Before I Go, Cathedral, Deja Vu, Bluebird, Almost Cut My Hair, Wooden Ships. Encore: For What It's Worth, Teach Your Children.

Comments

[Gary Dean]

Fun show, Surprised they cut the venue in half, not sure if it was the cool weather, the economy,
promotion of the show, or what, but I am glad I went....
I got a good boot of it
Does anyone have pictures ?

[scott]

Heres why the crowd was low. First, not that big of draw and second, they want 150 dollars to sit in the first few rows, then 90 dollars for the next section and then 55 for the back part of the venue. I'm sure it was great and I'd like to be a part of it but when you want 100 dollars (tickets plus service charges) for the second tier of seats, it's going to hurt your attendance.

[northlander]

Thanks so much to those around us (right side, down towards front) for enjoying the music! Crowd was clearly into it and listening as there was minimal talking and phone use! Great evening!

[Bayside Butcher]

We enjoyed the show. I walked away mad at myself. It was the first time I had seen them. I wish I wouldn't have waited so long.

[Tim Finn]

Crowd size seemed about right. C&N were just here in November at Uptown and drew about 1500.

[Gary Dean]

you said in your review...bassist Bob Glaub Kansas City native:

That is a joke in the band they say that in every town
see this review...

http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/all-rev_csn.6983962aug11,0,5685638.story

[Tim Finn]

i wondered but i got a google response on that. i'll read it again

[MetalHEAD]

Excellent show; amazing harmonies once they warmed up....a really a marvelous evening even with the cow in front of us in Sect. 2 who continually bi**hed about people talking and cheering while she was bootlegging a video (talk about odd...)

I knew they were getting up there, but late 60s and still rockin'?

Damn impressive if you asked me....what a run.

[David Bosley]

This was at least the 5th time seeing them. And for that kind of money, sorry to say, I won't be going back. Yes it was nostalgic, but their harmonies are just a remnant of years gone by. Stills is still a great guitarist, but he has lost his hearing and his voice, which on "his" songs just didn't work for us, except for Southern Cross, respectable. FYI: we saw Loggins and Messina Friday at Ameristar, and they blew away CSN. I am very glad I was able to see CSN in years past, those are the shows I will choose to remember.

[Bubba]

Myself, I've never seen CS&N. This time, I didn't go MOSTLY because of the ticket price. PLEASE don't remind me of the co$t of fuel - it just adds to the emotional pain (sort to speak). A few patrons have recently commented since all three members are now in their mid to late '60's - ONE of them is more likely to stop touring soon. Would have loved to hear them play those covers. Oh, well.

[Mike McNelly]

Great show. I've seen them many times with Neil in '74 as the first time. But I have to say this was one of the best shows I've seen them do. It was not as predictable as some previous shows. Stills is still awesome on guitar and Crosby and Nash have lost little if any of their vocals. Harmonizing is still right on. My favorite band and then you add Neil. It don't get any better.

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