Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Live ! (1973) E.P

 (U.S 1968-1970, 1973-1974, 1976-2015)

Formed in summer of 1968 by David Crosby, who was preparing a solo album after quitting the Byrds, Steve Stills who had just left Buffalo Springfield and Graham Nash of U.K. pop outfit the Hollies who was then visiting California. The three sang together at John Sebastian's house in Laurel Canyon, and were knocked out by Crosby and Nash vocal harmonies and decided to assemble as a group.

They went to the U.K. later that year for Nash to sever commitments with Hollies and then returned to Los Angeles to work on their debut album which was released early 1969.

That first album, which won immediate critical acclaim, still stands as a perfect example of contemporary acoustic music - powerful melodies, with harmony singing of Crosby and Nash to the fore. Stills was also at his creative peak around this time - evidence is his seven minute long "Suite: Jude Blue Eyes", purportedly about his old flame Judy Collins, which became the group's first U.S. hit.

Nash's "Marrakesh Express", from same album (by now a gold seller), followed it into U.S. singles charts and broke the band into British lists in the same year.

L to R: Stephen Stills, David Crosby, Neil Young, Graham Nash

Having previously played with Stills in Buffalo Springfield, Neil Young joined later that year at the suggestion of Atlantic boss Ahmet Ertegun. The band were looking for a keyboard player to fill out sound for live gigs. Ertegrun suggested that Young should play guitar, allowing Stills to double on keyboards.

The band, now named Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSN&Y), started their tour, and played their second gig at the Woodstock festival in the early morning hours of August 18, 1969.

Their second album, Deja Vu (1970) - further augmented by Greg Reeves (bass) and Dallas Taylor (drums), later replaced by Calvin Samuels and Johnny Barbata - was credited to Crosby Stills Nash & Young and more electric in its approach. Overall, though, it was a mixed bag, containing an electric version of Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock" (a U.S. hit), Nash's banal "Teach Your Children" and Dave Crosby's self-conscious song of hippie martyrdom "Almost Cut My Hair". All were easily out classed by the immensely-superior material of Young.

Their second gold record, Dela Vu was still on U.S. chart when the outfit's third album, the brilliant 4 Way Street double live set was released early 1971. However, the title itself indicated different directions each member of the aggregation was taking prior even to release.

Young's brilliant "Ohio", written in the wake of Kent State University killings which outraged young America, provided another U.S. hit, but, shortly after, CSN&Y disintegrated to pursue individual paths.

There was a reunion tour in 1974, which ended at London's Wembley Stadium without any fresh recordings. Subsequent attempts at a further CSN&Y album inevitably disintegrated in acrimony and rumour. Just when it seemed finally a total irrelevance whether they ever worked together again, Crosby Stills and Nash chose the Summer of Punk - 1977 - to announce a reunion LP. [extract from The Illustrated New Musical Express Encyclopedia of Rock, Salamander Books, 1977, p63]

This post consists of FLACs ripped from my recently acquired E.P which I found at a garage sale.  I've been looking for this EP for ages, and am stoked that I've finally found one and in near mint condition.  Worth every penny of the $5 price tag (eBay has one for sale at present for $44.95).

I believe these four live tracks were taken from their 4-way Street album.

As usual, full cover artwork and label scans are included

Track List

01 Love The One You're With (Stephen Stills)

02 Teach Your Children (Graham Nash)

03 Chicago (Graham Nash)

04 Ohio (Neil Young)

David Crosby - guitar, vocals

Stephen Stills - guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals

Graham Nash - guitar, vocals

Neil Young - guitar, vocals

CSNY Live Link (76 Mb) New Link 18/11/2024