I like a lot of their stuff, I loved it as a kid. But looking back on it, I think this was one of those "supergroups" where the whole was LESS than the sum of it's parts, not more. They had one great album, the first CSN album, where all three voices really worked on almost all of the songs they all brought to the table. But after that album, I thought Crosby and Nash had a sound of their own together that was brilliant. I loved Stills on his own too - he was probably my first guitar hero. And Young was clearly the mercurial talent of the bunch but never really fit into the group. I felt like CSNY album and all of the later stuff was kind of like the Beatles toward the end, where it was kind of three separate acts and the others would be there to back up whoever's song was on the table. In terms of songwriting and leaving a mark, Neil's solo stuff left them in the dust. Stills had some incredible moments solo and was great in concert with his own band or just playing solo acoustic. I saw him do a couple of solo acoustic sets at a festival in I think 79 in the Arizona desert that were the best I ever heard him - he was a blues guy at heart. But it was really Crosby and Nash's vocals that were the real "combo" of those guys - their voices fit together really well on Crosby's stuff and Nash's stuff. Just kind of three separate acts who backed each other up. Oh, and Stills and Young played together really well too, when they could stand being around each other long enough... -Ray
Almost Cut My Hair Woodstock (even though it was written by Joni Mitchell) Suite Judy Blue Eyes ...and many, many others. Love all the ones mentioned so far.
So many classic songs... flip a coin. Wooden Ships and Long Time Gone will always be special since I discovered them and associate them with the Woodstock movie.
One of the things I heard that surprised me on the Laurel Canyon show the other night was that Steven Stills wanted Neil Young mainly because Crosby and Nash weren't strong guitar players and Stills figured Neil had the chops.
Carry on and Woodstock have been huge favs of mine since I was in HS in the 70’s. Wish I could have seen them live
A good old HALF American band since GN is British and NY is Canadian! Anyway.... Ohio is their best harder-edge song to me. So moving, so visual, and such a great song to play! I wish someone would create such a moving song about the current racial injustices. Maybe it's coming, who knows. My favorite softer, harmonic song is Just a Song Before I Go. Also such fun to play and sing. Short, sweet, and one big hook!
Great group! Many great songs! Love “Teach Your Children” with the intro by Jerry Garcia on Pedal Steel. And it doesn’t get any better than “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”. Bill, tgo
Wasted On The Way tops mine followed by Suite Judy Blue Eyes and Teach Your Children. CSNY were just a bit before my time but my sister had Deja Vu and I remember the Woodstock song and the part where it sounded like they speeded the record from 33 to 45. (for those of us who remember what that means!)
When I watch Stephen Stills play the acoustic, I'm mesmerized. I'm sure most fans have seen this video but it's worth the watch even if it is 9 minutes long. One time I referred to the song as "Suite Bludy Jew Eyes" and never realized I had mixed it up!
Four-Way Street and CSNY '74 are my favorite albums of the group. Crosby is my hands down favorite as a solo artist, mostly for If I could Only Remember My Name and Here If You Listen (his latest).
