This double vinyl captures the unique appeal of this supergroup!
Crosby Stills Nash & Young – Live At Fillmore East, 1969 – Rhino Entertainment Company R1 695026/603497839629 stereo double vinyl, 77:30 ****1/2:
(David Crosby – guitar, vocals; Stephen Stills – guitar, organ, piano, vocals; Graham Nash – guitar, organ, piano, percussion, vocals; Neil Young – guitar, organ, vocals; Greg Reeves – bass; Dallas Taylor – drums)
Supergroups don’t always live up to the hype. But, Crosby Stills Nash & Young ascended to elite status immediately. As a trio, Crosby Stills & Nash formed in 1968 and recorded their self-titled album in 1969. It was a critical and commercial success. When they played Woodstock, Neil Young (who was a band mate of Stills in Buffalo Springfield) was added to expand the lineup. Their 1970 album, Déjà Vu was a huge success, and the future seemed unlimited. The group would disband and re-form several times without regaining the impact of those first two albums. The blend of exquisite harmonies and radio-friendly rock and roll made them legendary.
Rhino Entertainment Group has released for the first time, a live album from the band. Crosby Stills Nash & Young – Live At The Fillmore East, 1969 was recorded six weeks after Woodstock, and is available on a 2-LP vinyl set and CD. The celebrated vocal harmonies, feel good vibe and dual-pronged electric guitars of Stills and Young are prominently on display. The first LP is focused on the acoustic gravitas of the individual band members and their unique chemistry. The group opens up with the buoyant “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”. The simple arrangement has acoustic guitar and Stills singing lead with emotion. Crosby and Nash add dual harmony. As the song transitions in movements, the singing stays intact. The Beatles iconic “Blackbird” is perfectly suited to mesmerizing three-part vocals. Of course, a lot of the set list is selected from Crosby Stills & Nash. “Helplessly Hoping” is another classic folk-inspired Stills composition. There is laughter that briefly interrupts the performance, but is a glimpse of the initial good vibes that surrounded these musicians. David Crosby’s haunting “Guinnnevere” showcases the special two-part vocal prowess that he had with Nash. Nash’s gossamer “Lady Of The Island” is quintessential romantic balladry. Crosby’s lower-register vocals are seamless, even in improvisation.
Stills adds some down ’n’ dirty aesthetics on the bluesy “Go Back Home” (which would appear on his self-titled solo debut album). His soulful delivery and blistering guitar riffs bring a visceral element to the show. Neil Young joins the celebration with the jaunty Buffalo Springfield tune, “On The Way Home”. The connection with his former Springfield member is palpable and Young’s forlorn singing (with Stills falsetto) makes for a truly special moment. A certain highlight is Stills’ solo rendition of “4+20”. This song would eventually appear on Déjá Vu. The hushed melancholy translates effectively. Another number from that album “Our House” is stripped down to just an organ and lead vocal by Nash. Another evocative Young composition, “I’ve Loved Her So Long” (off his self-titled debut) is also simpler, with acoustic guitar and vocals (Nash). The end of the acoustic set, “You Don’t Have To Cry” (which may be the song that brought the original trio together, depending on the conflicting narratives) showcase exquisite vocals.
The last two sides are electric. The first song (“Long Time Gone”) is Crosby’s ominous reference to the RFK assassination. It has coarser vocals, attitude and piercing double electric guitars. It is looser and Crosby’s urgent vocal delivery presents a harder-edge. Another C S & N staple, “Wooden Ships” is gritty and the “singing dialogue” between Stills and Crosby is hypnotic. A reworked, energized version of “Bluebird Revisited” (which would appear on Stephen Stills 2) employs a soulful delivery that is compelling. The group reprises a Young “Woodstock-introduced” song, “Sea Of Madness” before unleashing into an extended guitar-laden take on another Young solo number, “Down By The River”. This is the epitome of CSN&Y’s no-holds-barred approach to live rock, with Young and Stills trading ferocious licks. It is the best jam on the album. The finale, (“Find The Cost Of Freedom”) is a near-spiritual social protest opus. A single verse (with Stills guitar) ends with the glorious harmonies on the repeat.
This previously unreleased concert is an historical document of this band’s musical tapestry and the cultural impact of the Laurel Canyon music scene. The completely analog sound mix (John Hanlon/Sunset Sound) and vinyl re-mastering (Chris Bellman/Bernie Grundman Mastering) are excellent. The delicate vocals, acoustic and electric instruments are balanced and have great stereo separation.
Highly recommended!
—Robbie Gerson
Crosby Stills Nash & Young – Live At Fillmore East, 1969
TrackList:
Side 1 (Acoustic Set): Suite:Judy Blue Eyes; Blackbird; Helplessly Hoping; Guinnevere; Lady Of The Island
Side 2 (Acoustic Set): Go Back Home; On The Way Home; 4 + 20; Our House; I’ve Loved Her So Long; You Don’t Have To Cry
Side 3 (Electric Set): Long Time Gone; Wooden Ships; Bluebird Revisited; Sea Of Madness
Side 4 (Electric Set): Down By The River; Find The Cost Of Freedom.
More information through Rhino Records
