MUSIC REVIEWS
CROSBY & NASH

David Crosby and Graham Nash have returned to the music scene once again with a two CD release simply titled Crosby & Nash. The CD contains 20 songs and uses the back up services of David Crosby's back up band CPR that includes David Crosby's son, James Raymond, who wrote several songs on the CD including "Lay Me Down" and "Puppeteer," and "Luck Dragon." To many the CD will appear extremely introspective and tinged with an elegant melancholy and sense of regret for an idealized past. However the listener will find Crosby and Nash are still in perfect voice and their harmonies are still as wonderful as though they were at Woodstock or recording Wind on the Water some thirty years ago.

The song writing of James Raymond at times seems to compliment the voices of these two performers. "Lay Me Down" is an excellent lyrical ballad set among acoustic guitars and the long road of life set among wind mills, peaceful rivers, and the thoughts of home. The song "Puppeteer" reminds the listener of the strings that accompany modern life in this challenging and ever changing world.

While the people that expected a 1970's style manifesto against the war in Iraq, the Bush Administration's assault on the environment, and the evils of 21st Century society were disappointed, the CD does attempt to address these issues, only in a subtle, less in your face way that the duo did in the 70's. "Don't Dig Here" is an cautionary environmental tale that has a unique warning to the world, and "On the Other Side of Town" is certainly antiwar. The extremely haunting song, "Half Your Angels," offers a unique perspective on the post-911 world. "Half your Angels" may in itself be worth the cost of the CD and well worth the cost of a download. Other songs of interest on the collection include "Milky Way Tonight," "They Want It All," and "Penguin In a Palm Tree."

Crosby and Nash was released on Sanctuary Records and produced by Russ and Nathaniel Kunkel, David Crosby and Graham Nash. CPR includes Russ Kunkel on drums, James Raymond on Keyboards, Leland Sklar on bass, and Dean Parks and Jeff Pevar on guitars.

This CD is worth a listen.

While it has been out since 2002, now is a good time to discuss Joni Mitchell's Travelogue. This dual CD set contains 22 formerly released Joni Mitchell songs and performs them under the accompaniment of a 70-piece orchestra. Using much the same format as she did on her 2000 CD Both Sides Now, this CD contains remakes of "Hejra," "Woodstock," "The Circle Game," "Amelia," and "For the Roses," to list a few.

If the listener still wants to hear the unique guitar work and wide ranging voice of the Joni Mitchell that belted out "Big Yellow Taxi" and "Help Me" some years back, this may not be the CD for you. However, if you enjoy a little change and enjoyed Both Sides Now, you may like this collection.

Travelogue was recorded in London's Air Studios with an orchestra and a 20-voice choir on Nonsuch Records. Guest artists include Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter & Kenny Wheeler. It was produced by Larry Klein and Joni Mitchell.