CSN . . . and Y
Lately my iPod has been set on Crosby, Stills, and Nash. And Young. The older I get the better their music is. My playlist moves from CSNY . . . to CSN . . . back to Buffalo Springfield . . . and then onto solo hits (predominantly Neil Young, of course, including my favorite, “Cowgirl in the Sand” — along with other favorites like “Harvest Moon,” “Only Love Can Break Your Heart,” “Old Man,” and “Long May You Run”).
Two of my favorites on the playlist are written by Stephen Stills: “For What It’s Worth” and (the best in the list) “Southern Cross.” “My love is an anchor tied to you, tied with a silver chain.” I’m ready to sail for Tahiti! Here’s a 1982 version of CSN singing it. (Originally, Stills was the only one of the group who recorded the song — along with Timothy Schmit, of the Eagles.)
Some of their best stuff, of course, was written by Graham Nash — notably “Teach Your Children” and “Our House.”
My CSNY advisor is my buddy Thom. So, hey, Mr. Editor: break away from work a bit today. A&M Press can survive without you for a moment. Give us the scoop on the group. What are the essential songs — for them as a group and individually — beyond the freshman-level playlist? Who was the real musical genius? And is Neil Young always singing falsetto? Inquiring minds want to know.
And YOU — what’s your favorite song by the group or one of the individual artists?
I’ll go with Young’s “Southern Man.” It’s possible that I like it a bit better than Lynyrd Skynyrd did!
Deja Vu:
“If I had ever been here before, I would probably know just what to do – don’t you?
If I had ever been here before at another time around the wheel, I would probably know just how to deal with all of you.
… it makes me wonder”
It’s getting to the point that I’m no fun anymore
“Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” and “Helpless.” Absolutely essential.
Okay, I’m in. CSN(Y) was the soundtrack for my youth. I actually learned to play “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” (I sang the Stills part–and I faked the Spanish obbligato on the final chorus: my daughter finally translated it for me a couple of years ago, but that’s another story). Young’s “The Needle and the Damage Done” was the first song I really learned to pick on acoustic guitar. I used to belt out the piano-only version of Nash’s “Chicago” from FOUR-WAY STREET to an imaginary audience at my house after getting home from school, banging away on my parents’ out-of-tune piano. For crying out loud, it was the 60s, and I explicitly bought everything they were saying about The Man, while somehow simultaneously failing to critique my own uninformed lifestyle and my contribution to the maintenance of the status quo. Now I’m older, not a whole lot wiser, and I listen to their songs to reclaim just a bit of that earlier activist naivete. Some days it works better than others. And… though I truly love “Southern Cross,” it still doesn’t have anywhere close to the melodic loveliness of the bigger hit from the same album, “Wasted on the Way,” written by–you guessed it–Graham Nash. Sorry, Mike.
CSN? Hey, you’re talking to an old Kingston Trio man. And a Peter, Paul and Mary fan. These I know.
Mine was “Carry On.” I loved the guitar solos in it.
I commented a few months ago about my love of “Woodstock”. I thought “Our House” was hokey until I got married; now I know better.
I agree…their music is terrific. Unfortunately though, when they tour now, Nash just can’t hit those beautiful high notes he used to. How the great have fallen.
At the risk of monopolizing this thread, here’s my original email response to Mike’s query. Brace yourself: it’s long…
I’m all over the place on CSN/CSNY. I like it all, the collaborative stuff and the solo stuff, although I like Nash least (odd, considering he wrote “Teach Your Children,” “Our House,” and several others of their bigger hits).
Young was always kind of the wild card. He brought some great stuff to the group, but he kept a lot of his best stuff for himself.
Yes, Crosby was a major addict, especially in the late 70s-80s. In his defense, he never got over the death of his girlfriend in the late 60s. But he just about killed himself on coke before he finally got sober… and started using again… and got sober… and started using again… I think he’s been pretty clean since his liver transplant, except for a little weed. He’s scary smart, though, and
wrote the most sophisticated music, harmonically, of any of the four.
Stills has always been a bit of a problem for me. I loved him/hated him. I probably admired him most of the four during the 70s, but I’ll never forget staying up late one Friday night to watch him with Manassas on ABC’s “In Concert” series, and he was coked out of his mind. Couldn’t even find the shoulder strap on his guitar. Very disillusioning. The last few years, I’ve begun thinking he can’t write a melody. Most of his songs just kind of go up and
down a two or three note scale. Think about it: “For What It’s Worth” (when he was with Buffalo Springfield) literally has a three-note range. “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” may have actually been the peak of his songwriting career, and it works only because of the harmony. He never wrote anything on the lyrical order of Nash’s “Our House” or the unique creativity of Young’s “Heart of Gold.” Having said all that, I’m itching to do the definitive biography of Stills. He’s
the only one of the four who ever lived in Texas.
Young: what can you say? The guy is a machine. Probably has written more songs in his lifetime than any four other people you can think of; has released a mere fraction of his actual creative output (until the Archives Project goes public). Doesn’t care what anybody thinks, most of the time, including his record company. Especially his record company.
Nash: hands down, the nicest guy of the four; they would’ve split up even more than they did if it weren’t for him. Too bad he’s the one I relate to the least, musically. But if you’re ever in a mood to indulge your doubts, listen to his “Winchester Cathedral” (no, not the one by the New Vaudeville Band). It draws an elegant tension between wanting/wishing to believe and being unable to because
of all the crap in the world.
Neil Young is off the charts. His “Harvest” album that came out in Feb of 1972 is one of the greatest albums of all time. The title song from that album, “Harvest”, along with “Out in the Country” are my two favorite songs on that album, and my favorite songs that he ever recorded. “Heart of Gold” got all the radio time and awards……..but the other two are superior in my humble opinion. His cover of “Imagine” by John Lennon after 9-11-01 was
unbelievable.
“Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” has to be in the top 10 rock-n-roll songs ever recorded.
When do we get to talk about JT?
DU
My bad……..the second song from “Harvest” that I love is “Out on the Weekend”. Hey, I’m over 50. Gimme a break.
DU
Sweet memory:
As I pulled out of the driveway to take my oldest child to college, “Teach Your Children” came on the radio. Perfect timing, but made me a little teary-eyed!
“Tin soldiers and Nixon coming, …”
I’m so excited you’re posting about CSN&Y!! They’re my all-time favorite band. I love so much, but I’m with my cousin Rick: “Carry On” is an anthem for me. Especially paired right after “Suite Judy Blue Eyes”. I’m also with my BIL regarding the “Harvest” album & I love Young’s “Prairie Wind” CD—esp. the track, “When God Made Me”. I listen to CSN&Y a lot when we’re in the mountains skiing. Their sound moves me.
“Our House.” It made monogamy respectable again.
my faves are southern cross, cathedral, carry me, simple man, to the last whale… the list goes on. too hard to pick one. having seen them live several times as csn and csny, they still sound amazing even if they can’t quite hit those notes as they used to. no one can harmonize like they can. now if i could only see joni mitchell perform live, life would be complete. if only…
Sorry Mike, I am with the guys from Lynard Skynard….
Southern man don’t need you (neil young) around anyhow.
Different tastes make the world interesting. Prefer Gimme three steps, etc..
There’s some good tracks that were added to the 4 way Street live album a few years back. Check out “King Midas in Reverse” an old Hollies song and Neil Youngs medley of Cinammon Girl, The Loner, and Down by the River.
Also, listen to Young and Stills go at it on Carry On and Southern Man. There’s also a beautiful song by Crosby called “The Lee Shore”:
Wheel gull spin and glide … you’ve got no place to hide
‘Cause you don’t need one
All along the Lee shore
Shells lie scattered in the sand
Winking up like shining eyes, at me
From the sea
Here is one like sunrise
It’s older than you know
It’s still lying there where some careless wave
Forgot it long ago
When I awoke this morning
I dove beneath my floating home
Down below her graceful side in the turning tide
To watch the sea fish roam
There I heard this story
From the sailors of the Sandra Marie
There’s another island a day’s run away from here
And it’s empty and free
From here to Venezuela
There’s nothing more to see
Than a hundred thousand islands
flung like some jewels upon the sea
For you and me
Sunset smells of dinner
Women are calling at me to end my tales
But perhaps I’ll see you, the next quiet place
I furl my sails
I remember those days… smoking pot.. hurting people, mad, long hair, big time money.. and LSD especial purple haze, black molly. I remember the Jam Factory a rock&roll club when all the heads and hippies hanged out, that’s when I had my pad living in downtown San Antonio. “Far out man”! on a sad note…When I hear these song on the radio or on itune..I have fond memories of my dear Mom, she was a good mother, prayed alot, loved alot, and best cook in the world, makes me hungry just thinking about it. Some times when I’m missing my mom i turn on three dog night, Santana, Malo, the 60′s and 70′s music I feel my mom memories come alive! I know this may sound kinda of silly, but its my way of griefing and keeping mom’s memories alive! I may have given to much information. Thanks mike!
Shalom
Joe Almanza
Note to readers:
I love being a co-minister with Joe. We office by each other. In the 70s I was in a small town in SW Missouri (graduating ’74) and then a Bible major at Harding (graduating ’78). Joe was having a slightly different experience in the Mexican mafia. Working with him is a great joy.
I’ll be putting Neil Young’s Harvest on the turntable tonight. Yes, I have a new record player from my family to play the good old vinyl. The lovely Mrs. Woolard calls this my “pot-smoking” music. Even though she believes me when I promise I not only never inhaled, but never was near the stuff. Well, except when one of my high school friends was showing off his bag of joints on the bus after a football game.
Young’s Heart of Gold still one of my favorites…but Mike, you have to love Ozark Mountain Daredevils since they were practically our neighbors….
Mike, my fave has to be “Almost Cut My Hair.” Here’s why: I had hippie brothers (much older than you
) and back in the day – circa 1972 – my next oldest brother would quote it saying, “I feel like letting my freak flag fly”. Never knew what that meant until I heard my mom say to him, “well, you know what I can live with and what I can’t live with… so off you go, let it fly.”
For me, Southern Cross. That song is just ageless and I never tire of hearing it.
Suite: Judy Blue Eyes. Did you that the title came from Stills’ girlfriend at the time, Judy Collins; and that Stills plays all of the instruments on that song except percussion.
Also, have to admit I love the beat of “Love the One Your With.” Of course, I interpret that as a reference to the love passages from John and how we should love everyone with whom we come in contact. Yeah, yeah, I’m sure that’s what they meant.
The album that has stood the test of time for me is by Van Morrison, Moondance. I could listen to Into The Mystic 40 times and never tire of it. I love the entire album.
My other favorite album is by James Blunt, a newer artist but soulful songs.
Of the CSN material, “Teach Your Children” is my favorite. Love Jerry Garcia’s wonderful steel guitar work throughout this song in addition to the great harmonies.
Of the CSNY stuff, nothing tops “Ohio” in my book. One of the greatest rock protest songs of all time. That opening guitar riff that Neil plays at the beginning (and throughout) is classic.
I love all the Young solo stuff that’s been mentioned. But my two absolute favorites of his are “Down By the River” and “Like a Hurricane.”
Graham Nash had a couple of solo albums, and I particularly like the second one, “Wild Tales.” Give the song “Grave Concern” a listen sometime. It’s all on iTunes.
I agree with Tamny….it doesn’t get any better than Van Morrison. Brown eyed girl…classic.
As an old hippie, I embrace CSN&Y in every alphabetic configuration they have ever been in. But…. whoever convinced Neil Young he should sing?
They are hands down my favorite band. While Southern Cross, Wasted on the Way, Military Madness, Delta, and Martha’s Garden are some of my favorites, my all-time favorite has to be “Got it Made.” I don’t care for the original version you’ll find on the American Dream album (which Stills admits he never really liked), but the stripped down version (piano and a couple of drum sticks banging together) is absolutely fantastic. The only place I’ve ever seen it is on their box set. It makes me very happy.
Oops…I meant Johnny’s Garden. While typing, my wife asked me if I had called Marva back. Somehow, that got translated into Martha which doesn’t sound anything like Johnny, but at least they both have gardens.
“Wooden Ships” – Stills’ guitar in that song always sends chills down my spine.
For the music, Suite Judy Blue Eyes, Marakesh Express and (hands down favorite) Teach Your Children (Sneaky Pete on steel guitar) are tops. For the lyrics, how can you beat “heartlessy hoping, her harlequin hovers nearby; gasping at glimpses of gentle true spirit, he runs, wishing he could fly–yy, only to trip at the sound of goodbye”? Or, as said before, the protest lyrics of Ohio.
They rock.
Yeah, Teach Your Children has to be one of the best songs ever recorded. It’s my understanding that Jerry Garcia (just learning the instrument) played steel guitar…listened to the song one time and then recorded the cut the second time around.
Matt, thanks for mentioning Nash’s Wild Tales album. I thought I was the only person in America who owned it, much less liked it. A lot of really nice melodies.
As far as beautiful harmonies, I’m surprised no one has mentioned “Find The Cost Of Freedom.” Fatalistic, pantheistic philosophy has never sounded better.
We had a band in high school where half the songs we covered were CSNY (or individual songs). I had to sing the Neil Young songs (my stage name was Percival). We covered Wooden Ships, Helplessly Hoping, Our House, Mr. Soul, Cowgirl in the Sand and “Through the Sails. My favorite song that I couldn’t get them to cover was Cortez the Killer,followed closely by After the Gold Rush. Sara, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen Joni. caught her twice on the last tour with Bob Dylan and Van Morrison. She’s the only person I would travel across country to see now, well wait I flew 1000 miles to see Over The Rhine but that’s another story.
Just wanted to leave a note to you from China! We later today, Sunday night for you will get our daughter!
We would appreciate prayers as she makes this very abrupt transition into a new life.
i like “Ohio” for the history and having the courage to mention Nixon by name
Brian, I also love that, according to Neil Young, David Crosby was crying when he doing that “Why?” part at the very end of the recording.
*chills*
And I, for one, love Neil Young’s voice. Since when did a rock and roll voice have to be pretty? I like it better when it’s not. You want pretty, buy a Celine Dion record. I’ll take Neil any day.
off topic but I enjoyed hearing you at NCYM last week. Your brother’s and sister in law’s story is so inspiring. Combine that with Tony’s quote that “Christians should render their lives indespensible,” made for a energizing and inspiring week. Thanks again for your encouragement.
cathy,
I am with you on Lynard Skynard’s “Gimme Three Steps”. One of my alltime favorites. Makes me always think of Hawaii. That, and “What’s Your Name”.
I’m with Matt on the quality of Neil Young’s voice. It’s a cool voice, & good grief, it’s part of what makes CSN&Y’s sound unique.
I will pray for you and your ipod that they will get some better music. But I better now say much, I am listening to Taylor Swift these days.
http://www.matthewmorine.com
Southern Cross
And we never failed to fail
It was the easiest thing to do.
“Helplessly hoping her harlequin hovers near by….”
“It’s better to burn out than it is to rust.”
I have seen CSNY at least five times over the years. The blend of their voices is (was?) more than just perfect harmony, it is unique and powerful.
“Jesus Christ was the first non-violent revolutionary…”
Well, you have hit a soft spot with me here. I’ve loved CSN/Y since their first album, and they have always been one of my favorite bands. I actually got to see them in concert again about 3-4 years ago in Austin. I have to disagree with some posts on here … I saw very little if any drop in quality of their singing ability. Of all of them, Stills seemed to be showing his age. Graham Nash was absolutely perfect. I love his music, but I’m not much of a Neil Young fan due to his politics; however, he took the show away from the rest of them in Austin. I’ve still never heard a group that does harmony any better then these guys.
As to my favorite? Depends on when you catch me. I love the usual ones, but it’s funny that you posted this right now as I just recently rediscovered the album CSN, and it has to by my overall favorite as a complete album. See the Changes, Carried Away, Cathedral, and the harmony on Shadow Captain … priceless.
im your biggest fan! i have all ur ablums