From the first day I heard this record I was hooked. Song after great song each stitched together by a brand of Vocal Harmony that remains unmatched to this day. An epic journey and each time I drop the needle on track 1 “Judy Blue Eyes” I think that somehow, this time, the ending is going to be different, and as the song builds for 6 full minutes you arrive at minute 6:30, and like a broken dam the trio let’s lose its vocal torrent …
Doo doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo
Que linda me la traiga Cuba
La reina de la Mar Caribe
Cielo sol no tiene sangreahi
Y que triste que no puedo vaya oh va, oh va
And a broad smile appears on your face.
The rest of the record is legendary, a harmonic psychedelic trip with lyrics that one must memorize and a reflection of their time, a time of turmoil and change, a time of protest, a cry for much needed peace, love, adventure and societal change.
The space is limited here and besides I do not want to spoil this great album, but “hidden” in this record resides “Helplessly Hoping”, a song Stephen Stills wrote about his love for Judy Collins. 2 Minutes and 41 seconds of excruciating vocal Harmony with a gentle and civilized guitar painting around the edges of the melody and accompanying the listener through what in my mind is a top 10 heartbreak song of all time and yet, at the end, you are at peace with yourself and the broad smile remains.
This is the magic of Crosby, Stills & Nash.
Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN)
David Crosby – vocals, guitar on “Guinnevere”; rhythm guitar on “Wooden Ships” and “Long Time Gone”
Stephen Stills – vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, percussion all tracks except “Guinnevere” and “Lady of the Island”
Graham Nash – vocals, rhythm guitar on “Marrakesh Express” and “Pre-Road Downs”; acoustic guitar on “Lady of the Island”
Additional personnel
Dallas Taylor – drums on “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”, “Pre-Road Downs,” “Wooden Ships,” “Long Time Gone,” and “49 Bye-Byes”
Jim Gordon – drums on “Marrakesh Express”
Cass Elliot – backing vocals on “Pre-Road Downs”
Production
Crosby, Stills & Nash – producer
Bill Halverson – engineer
Gary Burden – art direction, design
Henry Diltz – photography
David Geffen – direction
Ahmet Ertegün – spiritual guidance