CROSBY, STILLS & NASH - GREEK THEATRE, LOS ANGELES

9/10 AUGUST, 1996
Author: Graham Clews
Source: So Far Issue #4
Date: November 1996

In early August I made a visit to L.A that combined a holiday I had been planning for some time with going to see CSN, whom I have never had the chance to see before. Seeing that they have no plans to visit the UK, I thought that this was my only chance to get to see them in the foreseeable future. I arrived in L.A on the Thursday before the concert that I had bought tickets for on the Saturday. The gig was to be held in the famous open air 'Greek Theatre' which is up in the forested hills above Los Angeles; an archetypal 60's venue where CSN&Y played in 1969. On Friday afternoon I journeyed up to the venue to check on my tickets that I'd booked (with great difficulty) from England, and noticed that some type of soundcheck was going on. There were very few people there except for the crew, but I noticed a couple of people waiting down by a bus. They informed me that CSN were about to arrive, (and drive straight past them into the venue, I predicted). However, soon afterwards, a modest sized black Lincoln pulled up outside the gates of the theatre and out stepped Graham Nash, looking fit and well. He signed several autographs for people, and I was privileged to have quite a chat with him. He was amused that I also was "Graham from England" and we spoke about Kidderminster, a town near where I live, which he remembered well, despite having lived in America for 25 years. He was pleased and interested to hear about "So Far" in Britain, and asked me to send him a copy. All in all, he really is a genuinely nice guy. I was really pleased to have met any of CSN, and never really expected to see Crosby or Stills. Crosby did in fact drive right by us. He drove himself up in a big black BMW with the window down. He looked remarkably well considering his recent medical problems. As each band member arrived, they went straight on stage and began soundchecking. Nash arrived first, and the rare soundcheck numbers I heard outside the Theatre would be a delight for any CSN fan to hear. Nash first sang 'Whiter Shade of Pale' by Procol Harum! Next he sang Crosby's 'Music Is Love' (Both of these with full band). Then, when Crosby arrived, he sang '1000 Roads'. None of these songs were in the set list. However, the biggest surprise occurred when Stills arrived and, with full band, ran through the full 'Crosby, Stills & Nash' album version of '49 Bye Byes' followed by an amazing 'Turn Back The Pages'. For anyone who hasn't heard, this tour was designed to play some rarer numbers that CS&N fans requested off the internet. I expected some rare stuff, but these tracks far exceeded my expectations.

As I headed back to the car, I was pretty excited about the following day's concert after what I'd heard, and I ended up chatting to a guy from the box office, who I had spoken to earlier. If you thought I was lucky to hear a CSN soundcheck and meet Graham Nash, you'll hate this!! When he found out that I had come from England, he gave me free tickets to that night's show. So, I'd get to see CSN twice. I couldn't believe my luck!!

 

THE SHOWS

On Friday night, I arrived and took my (very well placed) complimentary seat and the support act came right on. It was Michael Hedges, a very skilled guitarist and showman, who has worked with CSN before, and co-wrote my favourite song of the 'Live It Up' album, 'Arrows'. After his set, there was a short break and it was showtime. To rapturous applause, longtime CSN cohorts Mike Finnigan and Joe Vitale, and a brilliant bassist, whose name I didn't catch, and Crosby and Nash walked on, led by Stephen Stills who literally bounded onto the stage, looking fitter than he has done in years, much thinner with longish blond hair and goatee beard, complete with trainers. Crosby, a little heavier than in recent photos, also looked remarkably well. But how were these rejuvenated CSN going to sound? From the start of the stunning opening number - "Turn Back The Pages" off Stills' 'Stills' album, the band sounded the most fresh and exhilarating that I'd heard them sound since the early 1970s. Stills' voice sounded better than it has done in years, swooping up to the high notes. Next they played Nash's 'Immigration Man', complete with new introduction riff by Stills. After this, Crosby approached the mic and said "We all talk, Stills writes Rock 'n' Roll, Nash writes the Pop Songs, and I write the weird shit!". After this followed a great version of 'Deja-Vu' and yes, improbably, just like years of drug addiction and imprisonment, Crosby's liver transplant appears to have made his voice sound even stronger. Stills' guitar playing was also very strong.

After "Deja-Vu" Stills announced "This is a song about a train" and 'Marrakash Express' followed. After this was one of my personal favourite songs of the night - a spot on version of '49 Bye Byes', introduced by Crosby saying "We've never done this one before, because we were too frightened to do it.". This song featured great vocal harmony - the combination of CSN's voices singing together was truly spectacular. Not the P.A volume, but pure vocal power. Great stuff.

Next was another good internet choice, Nash's too rarely heard "Wild Tales". Stills then left the stage. It was time for the Crosby and Nash section of the show. The next song is my favourite David Crosby song, which I never thought I would hear live, "Delta", with Crosby seated at the piano. After this followed the familiar "Critical Mass" tape, but me and all the fans who expected "Wind on the Water" were fooled. Instead followed some organ by Mike Finnigan and then, Nash, seated at the piano pulled off a fine, unexpected version of "Cathedral". Again, a fan's internet choice that shows, combined with the presence of "Delta", "Wild Tales" and "Dark Star" and "Southern Cross" (played later on) that the late 70's/early 80's period of CSN is very popular has been much underrated in the song choices of early 90's gigs.

After "Cathedral", Stills returned for the familiar Acoustic segment, that featured a fine "Helplessly Hoping and "In My Life". After this it was time for solos. Graham Nash pulled out the only unreleased song of the night, a beautiful new song called "Half Your Angels" about the Oklahoma tragedy. Crosby also played the new "Rusty and Blue". He commented, jokingly, before he played it that "This song was released on my live album (It's All Coming Back To Me) that no one bought." Me and one other guy shouted up that we'd bought it - "Oh great, that's two!" grinned Crosby. Next he introduced Stills, who proceeded to play my other favourite song of the night, and one of the best received songs, the very popular and underrated "Treetop Flyer". This was a great performance - Stills playing acoustic with the band behind him. They speeded up the song to a fast country shuffle, promoting a huge audience response. This was topped off by Stills shouting at the last break in the song "'Cause I'm a F**king Fool in an Aeroplane, I'm Just To Hot, I'm A Treetop Flyer!". The crowd roared.

After the solo segments, the band regrouped for "Dark Star" and then Crosby strapped on a 12-string, and as usual, played the opening bars of "Mr Tambourine Man". Nash commented "For years, every time he picks up that damn 12-string, he plays the start of Tambourine Man, but he'll never play the whole song!". "I can't remember it all!" countered Crosby. I expected (due to 12-string guitar) that "Wooden Ships" would follow, but no, another surprise - "Turn, Turn, Turn" with Stills on another 12-string. This song fitted perfectly into the CSN style, and was a fitting tribute to Crosby's years in the Byrds. Another old classic was well received, one of my favourite Nash songs, "Chicago". This was followed by a song that has featured in virtually all CSN and CSNY shows since its inception in 1983, a great tune, "Southern Cross". After this, Nash said "A lot of people have been asking us how David feels these days ... Here's your answer ..." , a truly remarkable rendition of "Almost Cut My Hair" followed. Crosby's almost operatically projected vocals filling the arena. It was an amazing performance with some impressive guitar from Stills. Possibly the most famous CSN related song "Love The One Your With" finished off the set in style. The crowd demanded more, and they returned for a powerful encore of "Woodstock". However the biggest surprise was saved for the end. Crosby announced "This one's for our tall, dark Canadian partner" and "Ohio" finished the set. Although I'm sure there's a few die-hards out there who would frown upon them playing the song without Neil Young, it finished off the concert really well, with the vocal power being the mainstay of the sound right till the end.

The same set list was played equally as well the following night. If any proof was needed (it wasn't) that these people were playing for the love of music and for no other reason, the L.A critics would best be reminded that David Crosby was seriously ill last year and obviously couldn't wait to get back on stage. He candidly noted at one point "Well we're all here because I haven't died." Also, on the second night during "Delta", the sight of Stephen Stills standing alone at the side of the stage engrossed in Crosby's performance, not partying backstage as many musicians would be, should convince anyone that this is a real band, in it solely for the love of performing music.

To sum up then, I feel privileged to have seen Crosby, Stills and Nash perform under their sunny native Californian sky, and play the best shows I've heard for many years. I just hope they come to England soon!