CSN - apparently without Y, though previously rumored - made a triumpant return to N's hometown of Manchester. Paul Neve attended on our behalf, and had a great time. Been a long time coming ...
"For the first time since hearing their music on a pirated cassette tape in Saudi Arabia back in 1971 and thinking ‘wow, music doesn’t get much better than this!’ I felt privileged to be sitting here in the best seat in the house, front row centre, in Nash’s boyhood home town of Manchester,.
A simple backdrop of a white CSN band logo against a black curtain set the scene as the trio walked on stage. Dressed casually in black shirt and jeans, David Crosby, a teddy bear with a permanent grin, a baseball cap shielding eyes still dancing with mischief,was followed by silver-topped but ever-youthful Graham Nash and, finally, mad axeman Stephen Stills.
There then followed two-and-a-half hours of pure musical heaven. A carefully-chosen mixture of Buffalo Springfield and CSN compositions, together with covers of songs by artists like the Stones and Tim Hardin, showed off their vocal harmonies and musicianship to perfection. Their relaxed and easy-going connection with each other on stage was infectious.
This concert was special because of the Manchester-Hollies-Nash connection. Graham’s songs Cold Rain and Just A Song were deliberately included in the first set, replacing the expected cover of the Dead’s Uncle John’s Band.
The seriousness of the message behind songs like Cold Rain and Military Madness was balanced by the verbal banter between CS and N and the audience, and added to the intimacy of the event. Graham acknowledged his sister, as well as a representative of his old local boys’ club who were in the audience.
The first set was comprised mostly acoustic music. ‘Rock ‘n’ roll!’ demanded someone from the audience. ‘Saved my ass!’ quipped Nash and their first set closer, Stills’ powerhouse Southern Cross, provided a fitting lead-in to a much livelier second half.
The evening was unforgettable. Notable highlights for me were the singalong to Our House, the extended version of Deja Vu which allowed each band member to demonstrate their instrumental prowess, and David’s revamped version of Almost Cut My Hair.
Stills’ guitar playing is magical as ever; this is where he belongs; this is his home.
Forget the fact the band is road-testing tracks ahead of a new ‘covers’ album to be released in the near future. CSN are still magical and without equal as a harmony ensemble. Eagles, eat your hearts out!
Once is not enough, I want to see them again. The music is timeless but I can’t wait another 38 years!
First Set:
Helplessly Hoping; You Don’t Have To Cry; Ruby Tuesday; Close Your Eyes; Reason To Believe; Girl From The North Country; Guinevere; Cold Rain; Dream For Him; In Your Name; Just A Song Before I Go; Our House; Southern Cross
Second Set:
Rock ‘n’ Roll Woman; Marrakesh
Express; Military Madness; Long Time Gone; Deja Vu; Cathedral; Bluebird; Almost Cut My Hair; For What It’s Worth
Encore:
Wooden Ships; Teach Your Children
It was a wonderful show, indeed! Can't wait for the next one.
Btw, a couple of my pics are sort of "framed" by your and your wife's heads in the foreground, so drop me an email if you want 'em. The address is on the About & Contact page at my site.
Posted by: AspenDew | July 17, 2009 at 01:05 PM
Hi Aspen Coloradogirl - nice review - it was a great show wasn't it !!
Posted by: winslowboy | July 17, 2009 at 08:57 AM
We were sitting right behind your correspondent at this concert. It was, as he said, unforgettable. Marvelous concert! My review, with a few pics, here: http://www.aspendew.com/?p=341
Posted by: AspenDew | July 17, 2009 at 03:14 AM