"Jolly,
Raspy, Wispy & Quivering: 30 great songs, 30 years later"
By JOHN SOEDER
PLAIN DEALER POP MUSIC CRITIC
Friday, March 24, 2000
The last time Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young hit the road together, dinosaurs roamed
the earth. Or something like that. Suffice it to say long time, no see - long enough for
some of us to forget exactly what was so super about this Woodstock-generation supergroup
in the first place.
The fabled foursome refreshed our memory last night at Gund Arena. An attendance figure
was not available, but empty seats were few and far between. The best tickets sold for
$201 a pop - roughly $8 for each year these Rock and Roll Hall of Famers have been away.
Fans got their money’s worth and then some. CSNY played for more than three
hours,
with some 30 songs on the set list. This wasn’t a concert. It was a boxed set brought
to life.
"Carry On," a tune from 1970’s "Deja Vu" album, got the show
off to a strong start. Before the "CSNY2K" tour got under way in
January, the
group rehearsed in Cleveland. Clearly, the practice paid off. CSNY’s signature
harmonies were wonderful, especially on "Southern Man" and "Our
House." When these countercultural choirboys joined forces at the
microphone, the
whole definitely exceeded the sum of its jolly (C), raspy (S), wispy (N) and quivering (Y)
parts.
Each member of the group had a chance to shine, none brighter than Neil Young. He wowed
the crowd when he sang "After the Gold Rush" (which featured him on organ and
harmonica) and "Cinnamon Girl." He also got a round of applause when he strummed
the opening guitar chords of "Heart of Gold." Make that "Slowpoke."
Same difference.
Young, 54, made small talk as only he can. "You’ve got some beautiful
railyards here," he told the audience. Isn’t that the nicest thing anybody has
said about our town in a long time?
A hard-hitting rendition of the anti-establishment anthem "Almost Cut My
Hair" proved David Crosby, 58, is still potent in ways that have nothing to do with
Melissa Etheridge. "Dream for Him," a new tune about teaching one’s
children well, was a keeper, too.
The unpredictable voice of Stephen Stills, 55, sounded better than it has in ages. He
commendably carried "49 Bye-Byes," a smoldering crowd-pleaser that caught fire
with each chorus. As for Graham Nash, 58, his giddy vocal on "Marrakesh Express"
was infectious.
The leading men accompanied themselves on acoustic and electric guitars, with Young and
Stills trading fiery solos throughout the show. They were capably backed by drummer Jim
Keltner and bass player Donald "Duck" Dunn.
CSNY showcased several numbers from its new album, "Looking Forward." The
folksy title track and "Out of Control," both led by Young, held their own. Less
impressive were the tropical-flavored "Faith in Me" and the cliche-ridden
"Heartland." Where was "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" when we needed it?
The performance built to a climax with "Woodstock," "Eight Miles
High," "Ohio" and a transcendent take on "Down by the
River."
Encores of "For What It’s Worth," "Rockin’ in the Free
World" and "Long May You Run" capped off an amazing night.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young have said this is their final tour. If so, what a way
to go out. If not, see you in 2025.
For now, consider yourselves thrilled to the marrow, Cleveland.
