I was always a fan of CSNY but didn't really know anything about Crosby's solo work until this album was released back in 1993. To be honest, I mostly bought this album becuz the hit single "Hero" was all over the radio at the time and I am also a big fan of Phil Collins. So I knew i'd get at least one great song but I wasn't expecting too much for the rest of the album. Well I just gotta say, I was very pleasantly surprised at the quality of work here and there really aren't any throwaways. The first half of the album has most of the best tracks but the second has a few gems as well. "Hero" is the best track & as you'd expect has excellent harmonies by both Phil & David. Phil also provides solid drumming as always. But I also really enjoyed "Too Young to Die"(a duet with Graham Nash that's right up there with CSN's best work), "Old Soldier", "Through Your Hands", "Yvette in English" and "Natalie" are all exceptional as well. All in all, a really good album with some really great songs that is definitely worth a listen. Especially if you're a fan of CSNY.
November 8, 2007 |  | Take some time and enjoy this. |  |
There was a time in rock and roll history-the mid to late 70's-when singer songwriters were releasing stuff that flew in the face of the current "chic" music movement-back then it was punk. (Think Jonathan Edwards, Emmylou Harris) These albums were probably not ever "hits." They were not easily grasped on first listen. These-like Thousand Roads-took time to be digested. First you have to accept that this Crosby album isn't "If I Could Only Remember My Name" Crosby. This one should be taken on its own. Guess you can still say it sucks, but this reviewer likes it more every time. Don't know about all the "comeback" talk here in these reviews. Fans will agree the Crosby doesn't need a "comeback"-he never left. Another album, another phase. If it was like "Name," people would be complaining that he wasn't growing-so what are you gonna do? Forget the preconceived notions and enjoy this good music. If you are still looking for CSN&Y and "Name" sounds, the title track would sound great with Stills and Young battling in out. I think that Crosby can interpret a song well and I love him when he does his own stuff. You choose.
March 14, 2007As I'm in the process of rounding out my David Crosby collection, it was finally time to get "A Thousand Roads." I knew nothing about the album, and after reading all the reviews here and elsewhere, I downloaded it with one eye closed and a slight grimace.
The good news is that I was well-prepared for what was to come. Based on what I'd read, I knew there was going to be a lot of "stuff" behind David that I wasn't used to, and there was. Right off the bat with "Hero," I shuddered a little. It's not offensive, it's just not the sound you'd expect from a David Crosby song (although it's exactly what you'd expect from a Phil Collins song). The tracks got better from there.
Even though there's only one song fully penned by David (the title track), the songs are beautifully written and complementary to his incredible voice. Of course some I liked better than others, notably "Yvette in English," the Joni Mitchell track. Think about it. Could David Crosby singing a Joni Mitchell song possibly be bad?
And hearing the occasional familiar voices in the background (Jackson and Graham) and Jeff Pevar's unmistakable mastery on the guitar was an added treat.
There's only one song that I really dislike on the CD and that's "Coverage." It's just not David in any way, shape or form.
Overall, I would say if you're like me and just absolutely love David's voice, by all means get this CD. If you're a fan craving more of "If I Could Only Remember My Name," then you should probably skip it.
Below is a track list with the songwriters' credits so you can see who wrote what:
HERO (Phil Collins/David Crosby)
TOO YOUNG TO DIE (Jimmy Webb)
OLD SOLDIER (Marc Cohn)
THROUGH YOUR HANDS (John Hiatt)
YVETTE IN ENGLISH (Joni Mitchell/David Crosby)
THOUSAND ROADS (David Crosby)
COLUMBUS (Noel Brazil)
HELPLESS HEART (Paul Brady)
COVERAGE (Bonnie Hayes)
NATALIE (Stephen Bishop)
January 21, 2007This album is poor at best. It is completely unoriginal and features little involvement from Crosby on the songs. He wrote about 2 of them. It features Crosby singing with synthesizers and a backing band backing him up. He doesn't even play any guitar. Also, Crosby has lost all his vocal originality as heard on his CSNY songs (Long Time Gone, Almost Cut My Hair etc).
We know what side of the hill Crosby's on now (over it). Neil Young is still cranking out good stuff. Not so for Crosby. Don't buy this album unless you own every recording David Crosby has ever made. Look to his heyday in the 70s when he did his best work with CSNY or Younger than Yesterday, his last album with the Byrds (he wrote almost half of the songs).
August 9, 2006This is an album easily misunderstood. The songs are varying from delicate (Helpless Heart) to solid rock (Coverage). The composers who helped him with this songs are truly interested in a then comeback for David Crosby. The openingtrack Hero with Phil Collins is a statement. Every song is a jewel. Everything on this album is a demonstration of craftmenship. Musicians, vocals and production. The lead is his voice from bronze sounding as a churchbell; "Listen To Me", "Listen To Me", "Listen To Me".
I suggest: Do That!!
April 19, 2006More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(13 reviews)
