DAVID CROSBY - Here If You Listen
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Wow! Turns out Croz is a renaissance man. He’s actually sounding better on this than he has for some time, and more relaxed, at least, that’s the impression I get! It’s a proper collaboration with his Lighthouse touring band which comprises (primarily) Michael League of Snarky Puppy (he’s the musical director), Michelle Willis and Becca Stevens who are all graduates of formal jazz or classical schools.
It’s a fascinating juxtaposition and conjures up the image of a perfectly balanced seesaw; Crosby sitting on one end with all the weight of his years and travails, and his irrefutable ability to recreate himself despite all sorts of challenges, and the other three (who are each at least less than half his age) perched together on the opposite end with all their fresh, enthusiastic talent and undeniable ability.
As a unit, they pull off something quite dreamy which is breezy, rather than boring. Duties are fairly evenly spread, the harmonies are gorgeous, as is to be expected, some small jazzy touches and not quite a capella moments, and even a hint of Motown on one occasion, but leaning more towards psychedelic folk I’d say, hence appearing in this section. Interestingly, drums are completely absent with the bass and organ (I think) providing the foundation on which everything else sits.
Self-assured, calm, gentle, no harsh jarring sounds; tasteful is not necessarily a word commonly assigned to Mr Crosby, but in this instance, it fits like a glove. Nothing will match up to CSN in their heyday, IMHO, but that is not a fair comparison, and I’d get this one – undisputedly a quality release.
Not ready to pick favourites just yet – would like to listen more. “I Am No Artist” has a Joni Mitchell quality, while the final track, their cover of “Woodstock” (which is very nicely done) sounds nothing like her, lol! I’d say there isn’t really a track not to like and I think “Your Own Ride” will get a lot of airplay … can’t find YT clips – probably too soon, so ….
https://open.spotify.com/album/3U9GfZDj60GzDfKP8put7A
https://www.deezer.com/en/album/76397132
Wow! Turns out Croz is a renaissance man. He’s actually sounding better on this than he has for some time, and more relaxed, at least, that’s the impression I get! It’s a proper collaboration with his Lighthouse touring band which comprises (primarily) Michael League of Snarky Puppy (he’s the musical director), Michelle Willis and Becca Stevens who are all graduates of formal jazz or classical schools.
It’s a fascinating juxtaposition and conjures up the image of a perfectly balanced seesaw; Crosby sitting on one end with all the weight of his years and travails, and his irrefutable ability to recreate himself despite all sorts of challenges, and the other three (who are each at least less than half his age) perched together on the opposite end with all their fresh, enthusiastic talent and undeniable ability.
As a unit, they pull off something quite dreamy which is breezy, rather than boring. Duties are fairly evenly spread, the harmonies are gorgeous, as is to be expected, some small jazzy touches and not quite a capella moments, and even a hint of Motown on one occasion, but leaning more towards psychedelic folk I’d say, hence appearing in this section. Interestingly, drums are completely absent with the bass and organ (I think) providing the foundation on which everything else sits.
Self-assured, calm, gentle, no harsh jarring sounds; tasteful is not necessarily a word commonly assigned to Mr Crosby, but in this instance, it fits like a glove. Nothing will match up to CSN in their heyday, IMHO, but that is not a fair comparison, and I’d get this one – undisputedly a quality release.
Not ready to pick favourites just yet – would like to listen more. “I Am No Artist” has a Joni Mitchell quality, while the final track, their cover of “Woodstock” (which is very nicely done) sounds nothing like her, lol! I’d say there isn’t really a track not to like and I think “Your Own Ride” will get a lot of airplay … can’t find YT clips – probably too soon, so ….
https://open.spotify.com/album/3U9GfZDj60GzDfKP8put7A
https://www.deezer.com/en/album/76397132
"The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us." ~ Bill Watterson
