With old friends joining in, the former Hollies/CSNY Rock Hall-of-Famer asserts his 21st-century relevance. Hear the album, and enjoy some '70s Nash rememberies!
Being a child of the 70's, CSNY any combination of them were always thrown into the "old" bin in my mind. It wasn't until I became better at playing the guitar and trying to write my own songs, that I discovered CSN by way of Neil Young. Graham Nash was the one out of the 4 that really stood out. Then it wasn't until I saw the 4 of them on VH1's Storytellers, that I was floored by Nash's songwriting and the magic that happens with Crosby, Stills and Nash all harmonize. All the CSN songs of his you mentioned are the ones that stand out for me. But it's the song he wrote for Joni Mitchell, "Our House", that as I get older I love more and more. Depending on my mood, I can take it for a simple love song. Or I can take my natural morose take on everything, as a bittersweet memory of a perfect snapshot in time, now lost. Excellent writeup.
Thanks so much, Ali! I'm glad you read this one, and certainly happy you dug it! It's cool, too, that the things you like about all manner of CSNY are the things I love about them, too....harmonies and songwriting! The first of the 4 I was wowed by was Young, and his '69 second album (I was 14). I loved that guitar sound on "Cinnamon Girl," plus "Cowgirl in the Sand" and "Down by the River"! I think I next got that CSN album. Thanks again!
Okay, you got me. This is a great album. I'm only 3/4 through my first listen but these are gorgeously arranged, inspired and from-the-heart tunes. There's not even a whiff of resting on his laurels. It sounds both of today and nostalgic in the best ways. Who plays lead guitar on Golden Idols? It's a lovely solo and reminded me of David Gilmour. In fact the song reminded me of Gilmour's About Face album.
On "Golden Idols," I've got Thad DeBrock on electric guitar and acoustic guitar (Nash plays acoustic on that track, as well). DeBrock also plays electric mandolin on "Golden Idols."
DeBrock has done recent sessions with the Jonas Bros, Nelly, The Whispering Tree, and the 2019 Broadway Cast Recording of "The Cher Show," among many others this century. Here's his discography page: https://www.discogs.com/artist/2537835-Thad-DeBrock
Thanks for checking in, Steve! I'm working on a brief bio on what must be a relative: Barry Goldberg, now 80, but he actually was a Chicago blues player! No word on whether he ever recorded a "Jews Blues" album, but ironically enough, he was born on Christmas Day '42! He'll be on my "Inside Tracks" on the Buddy Holly hit, "That'll Be the Day," which is 66 today (5/27/23)! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Goldberg
Lots of memories in this one, Brad. I was going to write that the opening chord progression in Buddy's Back made up so many songs of the early pop era. But I'm not going to write that...
Oh, they definitely wanted to be "evocative" with that one, Paul, particularly with a very Holly- and Everly-sounding intro! Very clever and crafty on Graham & Co. to go there, especially given the theme!
This is beautiful. Releasing a record at this stage of his life and career is in itself admirable. I haven’t listened to it yet but I just wanted to say... wow. Chapeau. The world needs more people like him!
Wonderful thoughts and words, Andy....thanks! I knew I wanted to lean into his inspiration, just in general, but with this new project, also! I also wanted to make sure I showed the vinyl, too....not sure whose arms and camera we're seeing in the reflection, but thought of you when I saw it!💿✔
Being a child of the 70's, CSNY any combination of them were always thrown into the "old" bin in my mind. It wasn't until I became better at playing the guitar and trying to write my own songs, that I discovered CSN by way of Neil Young. Graham Nash was the one out of the 4 that really stood out. Then it wasn't until I saw the 4 of them on VH1's Storytellers, that I was floored by Nash's songwriting and the magic that happens with Crosby, Stills and Nash all harmonize. All the CSN songs of his you mentioned are the ones that stand out for me. But it's the song he wrote for Joni Mitchell, "Our House", that as I get older I love more and more. Depending on my mood, I can take it for a simple love song. Or I can take my natural morose take on everything, as a bittersweet memory of a perfect snapshot in time, now lost. Excellent writeup.
Thanks so much, Ali! I'm glad you read this one, and certainly happy you dug it! It's cool, too, that the things you like about all manner of CSNY are the things I love about them, too....harmonies and songwriting! The first of the 4 I was wowed by was Young, and his '69 second album (I was 14). I loved that guitar sound on "Cinnamon Girl," plus "Cowgirl in the Sand" and "Down by the River"! I think I next got that CSN album. Thanks again!
Okay, you got me. This is a great album. I'm only 3/4 through my first listen but these are gorgeously arranged, inspired and from-the-heart tunes. There's not even a whiff of resting on his laurels. It sounds both of today and nostalgic in the best ways. Who plays lead guitar on Golden Idols? It's a lovely solo and reminded me of David Gilmour. In fact the song reminded me of Gilmour's About Face album.
Yay you!!👏Good on ya, bruh!
On "Golden Idols," I've got Thad DeBrock on electric guitar and acoustic guitar (Nash plays acoustic on that track, as well). DeBrock also plays electric mandolin on "Golden Idols."
DeBrock has done recent sessions with the Jonas Bros, Nelly, The Whispering Tree, and the 2019 Broadway Cast Recording of "The Cher Show," among many others this century. Here's his discography page: https://www.discogs.com/artist/2537835-Thad-DeBrock
Thanks for checking in, Steve! I'm working on a brief bio on what must be a relative: Barry Goldberg, now 80, but he actually was a Chicago blues player! No word on whether he ever recorded a "Jews Blues" album, but ironically enough, he was born on Christmas Day '42! He'll be on my "Inside Tracks" on the Buddy Holly hit, "That'll Be the Day," which is 66 today (5/27/23)! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Goldberg
Lots of memories in this one, Brad. I was going to write that the opening chord progression in Buddy's Back made up so many songs of the early pop era. But I'm not going to write that...
Oh, they definitely wanted to be "evocative" with that one, Paul, particularly with a very Holly- and Everly-sounding intro! Very clever and crafty on Graham & Co. to go there, especially given the theme!
This is beautiful. Releasing a record at this stage of his life and career is in itself admirable. I haven’t listened to it yet but I just wanted to say... wow. Chapeau. The world needs more people like him!
Wonderful thoughts and words, Andy....thanks! I knew I wanted to lean into his inspiration, just in general, but with this new project, also! I also wanted to make sure I showed the vinyl, too....not sure whose arms and camera we're seeing in the reflection, but thought of you when I saw it!💿✔