Music Is Love (David Crosby, Neil Young & Graham Nash)
Singing Call (Stephen Stills)
Long Time Gone (David Crosby & Stephen Stills)
Chicago (Graham Nash)
Love The One You're With (Stephen Stills)
This 12 song compilation of previously unreleased demos from 1968 to 1971 offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the earliest days of one of rock's most legendary partnerships. After four decades as 'three together', the cr... more »eative partnership of David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash is one of the most enduring and influential in contemporary music. This compilation of previously unreleased material takes an unprecedented look at the earliest days of their collaboration with 12 demos from 1968 to 1971-destined to be classic songs that would later be featured on CSN's studio albums and solo titles. While a number of demos feature members performing solo (and one finds them joined by Neil Young), the set opens with the trio harmonizing on 'Marrakesh Express', recorded four months before their self-titled debut LP was released in 1969.« less
This 12 song compilation of previously unreleased demos from 1968 to 1971 offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the earliest days of one of rock's most legendary partnerships. After four decades as 'three together', the creative partnership of David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash is one of the most enduring and influential in contemporary music. This compilation of previously unreleased material takes an unprecedented look at the earliest days of their collaboration with 12 demos from 1968 to 1971-destined to be classic songs that would later be featured on CSN's studio albums and solo titles. While a number of demos feature members performing solo (and one finds them joined by Neil Young), the set opens with the trio harmonizing on 'Marrakesh Express', recorded four months before their self-titled debut LP was released in 1969.
"To my ears these demos are of better quality than the recent Stills release "Just Roll Tape"...The song selection/sequencing and the way the performances/performers vary make it a great disc to listen to from beginning to end. So not only do you get the early skeletal versions of the songs (and they really sound much better than "rough demos") with different twists...you also get a real "album" with various moods that you can enjoy in its own right. Not a lot of harmony singing...so this shouldn't be an introductory cd for anyone, but fans will definitely appreciate these versions!"
Surprisingly strong collection of '68-'71 demos
Paul Allaer | Cincinnati | 06/07/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Usually when I see a collection like this, I'm thinking "another money-grabbing job by the label or the band" and I tend to be highly sceptical. That said, the allure of this collection is such that I simply had to check it out.
"Demos" (12 tracks; 42 min.) brings demos from the early days, the earliest being from August, 1968 and the latest from February, 1971. This compilation starts off with the most "finished" of these demos, a nice "Marrakesh Express" (the only song on here actually performed by CS&N). However, it is followed in two of the next three tracks by 2 demos from David Crosby that are nothing short of jaw-dropping: just David and his guitar on an early version of "Almost Cut My Hair", and a 7 min. version of "Deja Vu", which you have to hear to believe it. Those songs along are worth this CD, period, and we still have two-thirds of the album to go! Stephen Stills' "My Love Is a Gentle Thing" and "Singing Call" are very nice, as is "Music Is Love", accredited to Crosby, Young & Nash (the finished version of this would appear on David Crosby's album "If I Could Only Remember My name"). The last 'can't miss' highlight is the Graham Nash demo of "Chicago" (just Graham and piano), the song's optimism/naivite is touching.
In all, I can't emphasize enough how pleased, even impressed, I am with this album. It's basically having CS&N sitting in your house and crooning their songs unplugged just for you. I wonder if this is it, tough? At just 42 min. there was room on here for a lot more. Or are they going to stretch this out on yet another CD? Stay tuned..."
Simply Beautiful
o dubhthaigh | north rustico, pei, canada | 06/13/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For the record, I am NOT a Graham Nash fan. Nice guy, but a genuine lightweight. That said, I hereby eat my words. Nash has done something extraordinary by resisting the urge to do anything but let these songs shine in unadorned beauty. Who knew they could really sing this well without 600 hours in the studio? By virtually not-producing, Nash has assembled a collective statement that packs more emotional wallop in these 12 demos than Young has been abled to deliver over 10 blu-rays. I stand corrected. Beautifully not done, Graham."
Unexpected Ambivalence
R. McCalla | SF Bay Area | 09/02/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I love CSN, and have almost every album from David, Stephen, Graham and Neil, together or separate. Just Roll Tape is one of my very favorites, as is Massey Hall. As such, I was thrilled to learn of this release. I eagerly bought it looking forward to a new three or four month obsession, leading into the 9/18/09 concert (for which I scored 7th row seats). I was surprised to find that "Demos" really doesn't make the high grade.
"Demos" is worth getting, but it lacks the real inspiriation of Just Roll Tape and Massey Hall, in my opinion. The sound quality is very good, and I think Graham did a nice job of weaving together tracks in the proper order, etc. David's "Voyage" was more satisfying than "Demos." If Just Roll Tape had the sound quality of "Demos," it would be perfect. Massey Hall IS perfect in both sound quality and inspiration. I would recommend those other three before you buy "Demos."
I just wanted the hard-core fans to know that this album is "just OK," not something over which you need get yourself in a frenzy."