Crosby, Stills & Nash – Greatest Hits

No band symbolizes the Woodstock generation more than Crosby, Stills and Nash.  This trio led music into new directions with harmony and melody while also serving as the poster boys for activism during the social and political upheaval of the time.

To understand the musical culture in the late 1960’s means it would be necessary to get the sense of community felt between the musicians.  CSN were introduced through Cass Elliot of The Mamas and the Papas, they were close friends with Joni Mitchell and all rehearsed together in the pool of the Monkees Peter Tork.  In between future CSN records each member released acclaimed solo material and work with contemporary artists like the Grateful Dead.

The band quickly released two stellar albums, Crosby, Stills & Nash and Déjà vu, the latter including the on-again off-again contributor Neil Young.  A Young-less CSN is the last of the essential releases from the band but they continued on as a popular touring act.  Unfortunately any new music has failed to meet the standards set with the first three releases.

This greatest hits collection focuses solely on the band’s first four albums and lacks anything to do with Neil Young.  Young’s recent solo hits disc includes a few tracks from his time spent with CSN, those songs matching and in some cases exceeding the quality heard here.

All three musicians have written great songs outside of this group but this set collects the real essential material from three very gifted songwriters.  While some of the tracks, most notably “Marrakesh Express”, have not aged gracefully it is still impossible to deny the talent and ability that each member brought to this group.  Separately they were accomplished vocalists and musicians but together they became something much more.

Several of these songs you can still hear on the radio, “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” and “Teach Your Children”, while others may not be so familiar to the uninitiated.  This is a great collection for anyone interested in the band or interested in the best of music from the late 60’s to early 70’s.  This is the definitive music from a specific moment in American history.
 
 

• Visit the Official website.
• Listen to samples and Purchase this CD online

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