Crosby & Nash - Graham Nash/David Crosby

Reissue of the former Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young member's debut outing together as a duo in a digipak. First released in 1972 for Atlantic, 'Crosby & Nash' features guest appearances by Dave Mason, Danny Kortchmar, Russ Kunkel and Grateful Dead members Jerry Garcia & Phil Lesh, plus the classic 'Southbound Train' and the top 40 hit 'Immigration Man'. 11 tracks total. 1998 Atlantic Records release. Album Description

FABULOUS REMASTER

What's missing from all the reviews & ad text is the fact that this import release was remastered. It is head & shoulders superior to the old LP-EQ'd domestic Atlantic release.

If you have the original U.S. CD, dump it and pick this one up. November 11, 2008

More Relevant than McCain, Clinton & Obama

Crosby Stills & Nash's debut album was released in the early spring of 1969. I was nineteen years old then, already a huge Byrd and Buffalo Springfield fan. And so how could I not flip over the beautiful air-tight hamonies of Suite Judy Blue Eyes, Merrakesh Express, Wooden Ships and Lady of The Island. As the group expanded to include former Buffalo Springfield member Neil Young I felt the threat of "sell-out" creeping into their oh so pure. laid-back, homegrown style. Sure Helpless and Country Girl extended their reach, providing a dynamic that may have been missing from that brilliant debut album. Yes Nash continued to grow as a songwriter with Teach Your Children and Crosby's Almost Cut My Hair became the Freak Flag Anthem for every kid across America who wanted grow his hair. Yet at the same time I felt a certain loss of innocense...a kind of sense that this was more than just an impomtu gathering of great muscians creating songs and performing for nothing more than their own self gratification. In short CSN&Y became an arena act and a brand name.

Then in 1970 and 1971 the group seemed to splinter. Stephen Stills put out his self titled solo effort. Neil Young countered with one of his masterpieces After The Gold Rush and David Crosby assembled what could only be described as a gathering of the tribes, (Grace Slick, Paul Kantner, Jack Casady, Joni Mitchell, Jorma Kaokonen, Jerry Garcia, The remainding members of CSN&Y and many others). Last but by no means least, Graham Nash's Songs For Beginners, found the Hollies founding member in great form, penning some of his best songs including I Used To Be King, Military Madness and We Can Change The World.

That brings us to Graham Nash & David Crosby @ 1972. I guess the best way to desribe this album is to say that both kind of took a step back. Yes they both enjoyed early success in their respective bands The Byrds and The Hollies in the mid to late sixties. Both had composed some beautiful songs the likes of Carrie-Anne, Bus Stop, Eight Miles High and Mind Gardens. And now here was their opportunity to put together a collection of their best song writing to date. Here was a chance to perform not as super-stars, but as musicians, kindred spirits and friends.

The results?...Well, just listen to the opening chorus of Southbound Train or Page 43. No these guys aren't doing it for the money or the fame. They simply love singing together. And what of their song writing? well consider this...Here it is February 2008...We're on the eve of a historic presidential election. There's an unpopular war going on. The incumbent President is politically inept, even despised. And what do you suppose is one of the major issues?...You guessed it....Imigration. Well sit back...Listen and read between the lines and see just what Graham Nash, (an immigrant himself) has to say on the subject. "Immigration Man...I won't tow your line today...Let Me In." I dare say his position is a whole lot more relevant today than presidential hopefuls the likes of McCain, Clinton and Obama. February 7, 2008

An enduring favorite available only as an import.

"On what do you base your life my friend . . .?"

This is one of the first albums I ever bought, and it remains an enduring favorite today. Graham Nash/David Crosby was the first album David Crosby and Graham Nash recorded together. Dedicated to to "Miss Mitchell" (Joni Mitchell), it was recorded following a series of Crosby/Nash concerts together in 1971, after the 1970 CSNY split, and after the huge success of Déjà Vu. Recording sessions included backing from members of The Grateful Dead (Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann), the CSNY band, Danny Kortchmar and Dave Mason on guitars, and Leland Sklar on bass. First released in 1972 on vinyl, this album was reissued on CD in 1998 in Europe as part of the Atlantic Original Sound series, and may only be obtained as a more expensive import in the US. The songs offer familiar Crosby/Nash harmonies, a West Coast rock sound, and equally familiar melodies and ballads. The duo's hit single, "Immigration Man," remains as relevant today (if not moreso) as it was in the early 70s, offering the following warning to world travelers: "So go where you will / As long as you think you can / You better watch out, watch out for the man / Anywhere you're going." One chorus then substitutes "immigration man" with "irritation man."

Setlist includes:

1. "Southbound Train" (Nash)
2. "Whole Cloth" (Crosby)
3. "Blacknotes" (Nash)
4. "Strangers Room" (Nash)
5. "Where Will I Be?" (Crosby)
6. "Page 43" (Crosby)
7. "Frozen Smiles" (Nash)
8. "Games" (Crosby)
9. "Girl to Be on My Mind" (Nash)
10. "The Wall Song" (Crosby)
11. "Immigration Man" (Nash)

G. Merritt
December 3, 2007

Instantly Likable

"Southbound Train" is one of those songs that, in my opinion, you love the first time you hear it. Remember: all lead guitar you hear on this CD is played by the great Jerry Garcia. In my opinion, this CD contains the apex of David Crosby's lyricism, especially on the last track, The Wall. This is my favorite Crosy/Nash album. August 7, 2007

Excellent "Début"

After the initial demise of CSNY, David Crosby and Graham Nash decided to continue working together. This was their first album together and one of their best. It was a big hit in the US (reaching number 4 on the Billboard album chart and being certified GOLD) and produced their only top 40 hit "Immigration Man" and the minor follow-up hit "Southbound Train". This was a strong album and provided a needed "fix" for fans who wished that CSNY had continued. April 9, 2007

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