Photos by JANA SUMMERS David Crosby kept the
spirit of the ’60s alive on Sunday night at the Greek Theatre.
By David Holmberg
Daily Bruin Staff
They played at Woodstock, man. Now, more than thirty years
later, Crosby Stills and Nash are still playing, in a
sociopolitical climate no less volatile than during those days of
Vietnam and “Peace, Love and Music.” Today that message
is just as relevant and meaningful as it has ever been.
Although the 1969 Woodstock Festival in New York was a long time
ago and far far away from the Los Angeles Greek Theatre, Crosby
Stills and Nash, or CSN, took a sold-out crowd on Sept. 16 on a
remarkably timely and thoroughly emotional trip back to an era
surprisingly similar to today.
Formed in 1968 by former members of the Byrds (David Crosby),
the Hollies (Graham Nash) and Buffalo Springfield (Stephen Stills),
all three musicians were already established talents by the time
they joined together. Neil Young, also of Buffalo Springfield, was
added to the group after their first album, and has rejoined the
group periodically throughout their on-again, off-again
lifespan.
Despite the tumultuous political climate of late, CSN still
decided to play Sunday night. There was an air of uncertainty as
the band took the stage, but it dissipated quickly as they broke
into their nearly three hours of musical showmanship.
CSN admitted to considering not performing in light of current
events, but said that for them, “music is to heal,” and
that is certainly what they strove toward during the show. And
while they said they were grateful to everyone for showing up, it
felt more that the crowd was grateful to CSN for playing during
this time of national crisis.
Thankfully, the band also provided enough escapism to allow
everyone to lose themselves in the moment. They smiled and joked
with each other, as well as with the audience, making it clear that
everyone was in this together. Even the lack of Young’s
presence was taken lightly, and if any bad feelings exist between
him and the rest of the group, no one was letting on.
Photos by JANA SUMMERS An emotional Graham Nash
lead the audience on a journey of healing through song and music.
Although the band may not have had a hit single in a number of
years, those that they have written, whether collectively or during
their solo careers, are extensive and impressive.
When the group set into the Stills-penned “For What
It’s Worth,” time fell away and so did the turmoil of
the present. It has been more than 30 years since the song was
written, and in the intervening time the lyrics have gained even
more relevance. The beat may have slowed and taken on a bluesier
feel, but with lines such as “Paranoia strikes deep/Into your
lives it will creep/It starts when you’re always
afraid,” it is no wonder it still hits home.
Although their harmonies have lost their once clean unity, their
music has not suffered, because all have improved their
instrumental prowess. Stills provided the best guitar solos of the
night and came forth with several truly impressive acoustic and
electric performances, as well as a bass and percussion excursion.
With Nash and Crosby taking up the vocal slack that Stills’
now rather gruff voice lent to the harmony, the band produced a new
but still familiar sound.
Rounding out the rest of the group were Joe Vitale on drums and
percussion, Michael Finnigan playing keyboard and organ, and Gerald
Johnson on bass. Each one boosted the band with their own energy
and skill, but only as a second string to Crosby, Stills and
Nash.
While the band performed a variety of musical styles, the crowd
was noticeably less diverse. Ranging between thirty and fifty, and
primarily white, it was what seemed to be the Woodstock crowd older
and more sedated, but this time by age, not drugs.
During their final encore, CSN sang an emotional rendition of
“My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” to a guitar recording
by the late acoustic master Michael Hedges. Tears were flowing and
lighters were blazing when the band set into their final song of
the night, “Teach Your Children,” which brought the
crowd to their feet and closed the night with a hopeful message for
the future.
Crosby Stills and Nash set out Sunday night with the hope of
healing a country in pain, and for those lucky enough to be in
attendance, they succeeded in lightening the darkened skies of
America.