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Supergroups
are usually worthless. It's like piling up the baseball team of your
favor with nothing but homerun hitters. Soon, everyone chokes and no one
can run the bases worth a whit. Crosby, Stills & Nash initially were
different. They could harmonize like old pros, write songs memorable
enough to be played a second time and they eventually called upon Neil
Young to fill things out considerably.
David Crosby--despite the parody he became--was once a strong musical
presence with the Byrds. Stephen Stills co-led the Buffalo Springfield
through three incredible albums. And Graham Nash sang pretty harmonies
with the Hollies. Together they sang a prettified version of
folk-protest music. Their songs were charged with social causes and
commentary.
Crosby Stills and Nash Links
Their ramshackle appearance at
Woodstock seemed to only play up their commitment to earthy music
unaffected by their own star potential. While their live performances
varied (as did the inclusion/exclusion of Neil Young), their studio
album from the period is slick and pleasant, filled with songs that
would go on to become classic rock staples: "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes," "Marrakesh
Express," "Wooden Ships." Their partnership with Neil Young toughened up
their sound and led to the notable "Ohio," a song about the 1970 Kent
State killings. Nash rose to the challenge with the tuneful, sentimental
"Teach Your Children" and "Our House." Four Way Street caught the band
live and in tension, which adds an edge to the performances.
Ego and restlessness played a part in CSN's disintegration and a
desperate need to relive better times brought them back together for
several comebacks, none of which matched their original vision. They've
reunited so many times at this point, they ought to consider doing a
package tour with the Who. |