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Sixties rockers Crosby, Stills & Nash bring tour (and presidential campaign) to Borgata

By Jeff Schwachter

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Aug. 12, 2004

THE FOLK-ROCK TRIO Crosby, Stills and Nash make a stop during their summer tour at the Borgata's Event Center Friday night. Although they're without sometime band mate Neil Young, the trio is armed with a new double-CD by a couple of its members (Crosby-Nash) and a presidential campaign in full swing. That's right, as announced recently, David Crosby and Graham Nash are jointly running for President of the United States.

When asked who their vice president candidate would be at a press conference last month, Nash replied, "We'll have two presidents, and between us we have vice covered."

Even though Nash was born in England and the legendary singer-songwriters clearly endorse the Kerry-Edwards ticket on their official web site (crosbystillsnash.com), the comical campaign includes a light-hearted commercial that can also be viewed on line at crosbynash2004.com.

Recording and touring together -- and with solo projects -- for the past 35 years, CSN (and sometimes Y) are responsible for a plethora of music over the years. The trio's self titled 1969 debut, which included the songs "Long Time Gone," "Marrakesh Express" and "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes," and the following year's Déj� Vu, with the classics "Our House," "Almost Cut My Hair" and "Carry On," combined for enough material to base a career on. However, the band members have been busy for the past three decades continuing to create and perform together, with side projects and as solo artists.

This week's release of the double-CD, Crosby-Nash (Sanctuary Records), is the first album in 30 years featuring new material from the duo. It's not to be confused with the 1972 album of the same name, which included the hits "Immigration Man" and "Southbound Train." Songs from the new release have been highlights of CSN's recent concerts.

All three of the members of CSN began their musical journeys in the mid '60s with groundbreaking folk-rock bands of their own. Nash started out with the Hollies, Crosby with the Byrds, and Steven Stills with Buffalo Springfield (which also included Mr. Young). All three groups had their share of hits, but by the late '60s had gone through line-up changes due to a variety of reasons. This led to the formation of the supergroup Crosby, Stills and Nash, whose first tour included the legendary Woodstock Festival in 1969. From there, the acoustic-guitar based trio went on to become one of the biggest acts of the era. Their trademark harmonies, strong melodies and topical lyrics set a standard for modern songwriting.

CSN was also an important force in expressing the mood of Vietnam War-era America in song, most notably with the tunes "Ohio" -- written by Neil Young and released right after the Kent State shootings in 1970 -- and "Chicago," a song that tells the tale of the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Both songs appear on one of the band's best selling albums, the live 1971 release, Four Way Street.

Although the latest release, Crosby-Nash, doesn't include Stills, CSN still records together. Their last album, with Neil Young, was 1999's Looking Forward. Crosby also records and tours with the ensemble CPR, featuring his son James Raymond.

In the Hall: CSN were inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. Stills and Young's early band, Buffalo Springfield was inducted at the same ceremony. David Crosby was also inducted to the Hall in 1991 for his membership in the Byrds.

New Nash Book: Aside from being a prolific singer-songwriter, Graham Nash is also a photographer. His first book, Eye To Eye: Photographs by Graham Nash, features 180 black and white images shot between 1953-2003. The first edition hardcover retails for $60. For more information go to artbook.com.

Songs They're Playing: CSN's summer US tour takes the trio coast to coast through September 22. Songs they're doing so far include "Southern Cross," "Wooden Ships," "For What It's Worth," "Carry On," "Milky Way Tonight" and "Teach Your Children." According to reviews the guitar work has been stellar and the material well balanced.

Crosby, Stills and Nash perform at the Borgata Event Center, Friday, August 13 at 8pm. Tickets are $73, $95 and $112 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster (1-800-736-1420) or at the Borgata box office. For more information call 1-866-MYBORGATA.