"Rejuvenated
CSN&Y brings fans to their feet at reunion concert"
Wednesday, February 2, 2000
By GENE STOUT
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER
POP MUSIC CRITIC
It was a night to stand and be counted.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young -- the historic folk-rock foursome that hasn't toured
since 1974 -- brought cheering fans to their feet last night at the Tacoma Dome.
The nearly 3 1/2-hour concert was filled with peace-and-love memories of the '60s and
'70s, plenty of new songs and stunning guitar work, particularly by former Buffalo
Springfield bandmates Stills and Young.
The long, generous show was divided into three parts -- a rocking electric set followed
by a semi-acoustic segment and then another rousing rock set. There was even a
"seventh inning stretch" featuring "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."
The simple stage had a folksy, old-time look, with vintage amps, flickering candles, an
antique floor lamp, potted plant and wooden cigar-store Indian.
Even though tickets were expensive ($40 to $201), concert-goers managed to fill
two-thirds of the wood-domed arena. When David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash and
Neil Young (each in their 50s) took the stage shortly after 8 p.m., the response was loud
and enthusiastic.
MUSIC REVIEW
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Folk-rock concert last night at the Tacoma Dome.
"I guess you missed us," said a beaming Nash before the group
and its backup band kicked off its show with stirring versions of the classic songs
"Carry On" and "Southern Man." The third song, the Crosby-penned
"Stand and Be Counted," was the first of many new songs from the group's first
album in years, "Looking Forward."
The opening set continued with members trading lead vocals. Among the standout songs
were "Slowpoke" (a wistful new folk-rocker featuring Young on vocals), a
beautiful "Marrakesh Express" (highlighted by Nash's singing), Crosby's anthemic
"Almost Cut My Hair" and Young's hard-rocking "Cinnamon Girl."
After a short break, the quartet returned for semi-acoustic versions of
"Helplessly Hoping," "Our House" and "Only Love Can Break Your
Heart" (with Young on vocals and piano).
The new song "Someday Soon" (with Nash on lead vocals) wasn't terribly
inspiring. But "Looking Forward," the title song of the new album, was tender
and sweet.
The electrifying third set kicked off with a blistering "Woodstock," followed
by such songs as "Ohio," "For What It's Worth" ' and Young's
"Rocking in the Free World."
The show, which continued well past 11 p.m., concluded with "Long May You
Run."
If last night's show was typical of others on the tour, the reunion is living up to its
advance hype. When Crosby, Stills & Nash performed (without Young) at the Puyallup
Fair in 1994, the trio looked tired (Crosby hadn't yet received a liver transplant). Today
the trio is rejuvenated, and Young has added a lot of fire and enthusiasm to the mix.
