IF I COULD ONLY REMEMBER MY NAME (1971)

DAVID CROSBY
Journal: The Times
Date: January 28th 1995

A sense of brotherhood was still strong in the rock world in the years after Woodstock and few embraced its ideals more than David Crosby. A firm believer in the dictum Peace, Love and Music, he invited the cream of the West Coast community to join him for a musical love-in on his first solo album.

On paper it looked like another case of hippie superstar indulgence, but what emerged was a striking and experimental mood-piece, laced with exquisite harmonies, unorthodox time signatures and dazzling choral arrangements. Neil Young conjured one of his finest solos on 'Cowboy Movie'; Joni Mitchell sang and played zither; members of the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane added specialist delicacies, and Crosby masterminded the entire proceedings.

Eighteen years passed before Crosby issued a follow-up. In the interim he entered a nether world of drug addiction, bankruptcy, courtroom and prison, which amazingly, he survived it. This solo album remains a remarkable curio and a rare example of a gold record that has achieved cult status.