Concert Review—

Crosby & Nash:

Harmonies Sweet As Ever

By John Voket

STAMFORD — No matter how fresh or vintage a concert act may be, the measure of true entertainers is often marked by how generous and genuine the performance may be. In the case of David Crosby and Graham Nash, who starred in a live HDNet concert simulcast May 22 from Stamford’s Palace Theatre, that mark would be an easy A.

The only thing keeping the show from attaining an A+ was the sound system, which failed to make the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers sound as sweet on rocking tunes like “Long Time Gone” and Nash’s anti-war anthem “Military Madness,” as when they delivered hushed nuances in harmonic tandem on numbers like “Quennevere” and “Winchester Cathedral.”

Sure there were a few clunkers, but whichever offender inexplicably went sharp when the song called for a flat shrugged it off with a smile or a conciliatory nod. Overall the harmonies that have been drawing audiences to see these best of friends sing together for the better part of four decades were consistently strong and on key.

And talk about a comprehensive set list.

In just over two and a half hours Crosby and Nash hit most of the buttons for the nearly sold-out crowd, which had at least three generations of listeners represented. Opening with Crosby’s 45-year-old hit with The Byrds, “Eight Miles High” instantly put this act in perspective as a timeless and priceless classic.

Juxtaposed against some of his more recent offerings, Crosby proved he could still deliver with the observational, almost adult-contemporary sounding tune, “A Slice of Time,” and later, the self-described “pissed off” political commentary of “They Want It All,” which railed against the private industries profiting off America’s military engagements.

Yes, it would not have been a Crosby-Nash concert without its generous dose of political commentary. But what Crosby brought in terms of stinging, spot-on editorial comment, Nash balanced with his own contributions.

From a lilting love song he dedicated to his wife Susan, “Simple Man,” to a pair of spiritual tunes, “In Your Name,” and “Jesus of Rio,” Nash consistently reminded the audience of the critical importance nature and a greater power play in the schematic of one’s own life. His moving tribute to the great whales, “Wind on the Water,” was another strong moment, bringing many in the house to their feet early-on during the first set.

Crosby made a reference to his drug-infused youth as he introduced “Cowboy Movie,” saying he used to avoid the lyrically complicated narrative because he would quickly space out the words. He said now that he is well past his wasted days, however, it has become a staple of his concert set.

Kudos to the duo for bringing along the likes of Dean Cox, whose electric, acoustic and pedal steel work filled in the instrumental passages and trademark guitar work in songs including “Wooden Ships,” where he precisely replicated Stephen Stills muted noodling, and on “Teach Your Children,” with a note perfect recreation of Jerry Garcia’s original pedal steel contribution.

While he may have been relegated to the background, bassist Kevin McCormick also shone when it mattered most, keeping the rhythmic bottom end in check on “Deja Vu,” and “Just a Song Before I Go.” Crosby’s son, James Raymond, was also a key contributor with sometimes complex piano arrangements, fat and sassy Hammond B3 and supplementing the critical third part of harmony on numbers including “Wasted on the Way,” as well as “Marrakesh Express.”

But when it mattered most, it always came back around to the two names on the marquee. Crosby and Nash may have been at their best when it was just those two voices laid over a simple foundational music bed of deftly picked acoustic guitar. For those moments of extreme effect, Crosby and Nash conjured up a haunting “Lee Shore,” a stirring acapella take on “What Are Their Names,” and with the refreshing new Raymond creation, “Lay Me Down.”

The obligatory sing along, “Our House,” has become a Nash trademark, as has Crosby’s “Almost Cut My Hair,” and both selections gave each member of the famed duo a few moments to just sit back and watch the other take the wheel.

The concert also brought international attention to Connecticut, as it was simulcast worldwide live on HDNet, further immortalizing these contemporary contributors to America’s musical heritage. Hopefully, this show or another from this tour will find its way into the public domain, either as a DVD or concert recording.

Proving these classic artists grow no moss, however, a recording of that night’s show was immediately made available to patrons to purchase on a handily packaged USB drive — giving fans the opportunity to keep the memory of this performance alive, or to share the unique concert experience with their friends for years to come.