DAVID CROSBY
“If I Could Only Remember My Name....”
1971 Atlantic

Okay, so I’m a little late this month...well, if you “had to” listen to a record and review it...well, you’d understand. Music is to be listened to, but not because you “have to”. Anyway, this month’s selection is a very interesting one as I haven’t listened to this album for quite some time. Though it doesn’t quite qualify for my “TOP 100” list, it is one that I recommend to all of you who enjoy an occasional “slip back into the ‘70’s” type journey.

It is the only solo venture (that I can find or even mentioned in any of the vinyl journals I’ve browsed through) of David Crosby of the Byrds and Crosby, Stills, & Nash (& sometimes Young). It has its definite links to his CSN&Y character and I would be so bold as to say that there are a few cuts that would be (could be classified) as “early” New Age.

Side One starts out with a cut that made it to a 45 (remember those? 7” vinyl that gave you 2 songs...I did buy a few of those, before I realized that the economics were skewed...I did the math). Music Is Love gives us a taste of the CSN&Y flavor that most of us would probably associate David Crosby with. Then comes Cowboy Movie a song that has heavy Neil Young influences to the point that it probably could have been on one of Neil’s LP’s and we would have never known the difference (okay, the vocals would give away that it wasn’t Neil singing).

Then comes one of my more favorite songs on this LP Tamalpais High (At About 3). It’s one of those songs that could be classified as “New Age” if one were so bold to do so... okay, I am. It is definitely one all those spiritually enlightened folks would truly enjoy. This song could have gone much longer, but didn’t... actually I think they kind of cheated us on this one. It definitely should have been longer. Probably was much longer, but got cut short in the studio to make room on this LP (I wouldn’t even doubt that it was just a “filler”).

Then another CSN&Y fulfillment with Laughing . Don’t get me wrong, I am very much in to the flavor of CSN&Y and all their “offspring” creations. This song ends with a very melodic instrumentation...and that ends Side One.

So, let’s turn the LP over and see what we get.

Now begins the real fun. Side Two is definitely my favorite side and the one that when thinking of this album is the list of songs that come to mind.

Beginning with the “anti-establishmentarianism” attitude of What Are Their Names (remember he almost cut his hair?). It’s a question that we could even ask these days. Definitely listen to the lyrics as the repetitive nature of this song could (and should) get you asking the question too.

Then you are taken way off into another direction with Traction In The Rain. You can definitely see what David Crosby offered in the sense of the overall make-up of CSN&Y. Before I really listened to this record I had always thought that it was Graham Nash that was the “harmony” influence of CSN&Y, but this record brings to light who was the “melodic” one of that foursome.

Song With No Name (Tree With No Leaves) could’ve been named “Song With No Words”. Giving us a David Crosby scat. Another song that stands on the edge of New Age. The overall arrangement of this song shows (in my opinion...for whatever that maybe worth out there) the creative talents in music composition of this “artist”, as it paints a very subtle picture. Kind of like the picture on the front cover (a double exposure of an ocean sunset and extreme close-up of David Crosby’s face...that is I’m assuming it’s his face).

Then comes Orleans, another cut that made it to “single-land”. An accapella beginning leading into a taste of the multi-cultural abilities of David Crosby. Though I don’t understand a single word of this French indulgence, I do enjoy it.

Then ending with another “New Age” venture, we get I’d Swear There Was Somebody Here. No instruments, no words...but it still is a song.

Well, that’s this month’s selection...maybe next month I’ll review an album I don’t like...hmmm, maybe not because I’d have to listen to both sides.



Sign My Guestbook

Email: house_of_boongus@hotmail.com