Crosby Stills Nash & Young - So Far

It's tempting to follow the post-Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young career of Neil Young and underestimate this early band as a lighter, commercial diversion. But their fourth album, a concise retrospective of highlights, remains a sweeping '60s document, full of pastoral optimism and the virtues of (even today) spectacular-sounding harmonies. These songs continue to dominate AOR radio, and the best--the searing "Ohio" (written after the Kent State massacre), the utopian "Woodstock," and the ominous, graceful "Wooden Ships," the band's best performance--have an artful, mystical sweetness. --Roy Francis Kasten Amazon.com

Awesome album...classic

These guys are probably the single best vocal band ever. I grew up listening to CSN&Y on vinyl (my parents albums of course). This is the cream of the crop of their early albums. The harmonizing of these guys is jaw-dropping good. Sit back and enjoy it. December 30, 2007

So far is far out

Crosby Stills Nash and Young are still my favorite band. Their smooth sound is a joy to sing along with or just entertain by. Contemporary band melodies cannot compare to the soulful sound of this foursome. The poetry in their songs is timeless. July 30, 2007

Great, but time for an update!

This was a great album when it was released in 1974. However, this CD is simply a song-for-song reissue of the vinyl album. There is plenty of room on this CD for additional songs. It is time to either update this release with bonus tracks, or come out with an all new CSNY greatest hits release (similar to what they did for CSN). April 3, 2007

An overview of their 2 most popular albums plus 2 singles

Considering that the bulk of this collection comes mainly from Crosby Stills and Nash's debut and the CSN&Young album Deja Vu, this is a good overview of their 2 most popular albums. Though all the songs are great, I don't consider it all you need to hear from CSNY. After all, they'd have other projects like solo albums from all four, side projects (Mannassas and Crosby&Nash) and other albums and hits beyond this. But if you've never heard their music, this collection should be enough to get you interested in CSNY (besides, this was originally released in 1974 and deals exclusively with their 1969-71 era). The cover features some pretty artwork by Joni Mitchell, who was a friend to the band. From their debut, you get Crosby's placid "Guinevere," one of the most creative story-songs "Wooden Ships" co-written and sung by Crosby and Stills (Paul Kantner also helped to write it, although he didn't get credit until years later), Stills' winsome "Helplessly Hoping" and the quintessential epic "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes," which was written for Judy Collins, whom Stills dated. Inclusion of Nash's "Marrakesh Express" would've been appropriate, but back when this was released, there may have been the issue of time restraint (most LP records were usually no longer than 40 minutes). From Deja Vu, you get the title track (composed by Crosby) which sounds like a medley in that it starts out bright and slows down, Nash's "Teach Your Children" (a very positive message about parents and children getting along with each other) and "Our House" (which described a house Nash shared in Laurel Canyon with Joni Mitchell), Stills' take on Mitchell's "Woodstock" (it's a shame "Carry On" wasn't included but again, it's probably a question of time restraints) and Young's introspective "Helpless." In addition, you get Young's powerful "Ohio" (written about a protest which took place at Kent State University and ended in tragedy) and Stills' "Find the Cost of Freedom" which features some fine harmony between the four. That's what you get on So Far (which probably means "our greatest hits... so far"). If you like this and want more, check out the box set. March 14, 2007

West Coast Dreamin'

If ever you want to get away from it all on the school run and imagine you're living high in the LA canyons hanging out with joni and her cool buddies writing their songs just for you; then this is the album to play as you drop your kids off. Great harmonies from the boys and distinctive vocals from Neil Young. Cover art work by Joni Mitchell as a bonus. A classic of its time. March 8, 2007

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