"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
