Crosby, Stills & Nash

The album is full of innovative pop sounds, from Crosby's evocative "Guinevere" to Graham Nash's perky "Marrakesh Express" to Stills' "49 Bye-Byes". Of course, the fact that they were informally introduced to 500,000 potential fans at Woodstock didn't hurt, nor did the fact that the movie version of "Woodstock" prominently featured a number of the songs from this album as part of its soundtrack. Finally, it was their brilliance in quickly following the success of this album with "Deja Vu" that cemented their rise to the top of the rock world. My favorites here are "Wooden Ships", "You Don't Have To Cry", and of course, "Long Time Gone", David Crosby's moving albeit cynical tribute to Robert F. Kennedy. This is a classic album that every rock fan should have on his or her top shelf, as a part of the history of rock music. Enjoy!


Gentle, Melodic. Delicate and Beautiful.   July 23, 2000
WILLIE A YOUNG II (Houston, TX.)
55 out of 59 found this review helpful

In a word, magical. I recently found a copy of this classic album on vinyl with the cool, wintery, double gatefold photo and creepy back cover photo in tact. As for the music inside, what can I say that hasn't been said. "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" is still a fun, ambling journey through the mind of a helpless romantic. The doo-wop inspired harmonies that serve as this song's coda is still the coolest thing to hear on a classic rock station. "Marakesh Express" is just plain fun, even for a throwaway. "Guinnevere" is THE acoustic ballad that has yet to be topped, and sounds simply gorgeous without being too cutesy or cloying. My other personal faves are; "Wooden Ships" "Helplessly Hoping" and "Long Time Gone" (I still get chills hearing it while I'm watching the opening of the 'Woodstock' film!) All in all, a very enjoyable, effortless listen that captured a perfect utopian moment in pop music and culture in general. Highly Regarded as a Classic, and rightfully so.


WHAT A LONG, STRANGE TRIP IT'S BEEN   November 17, 2006
John Robert Harrison (USA)
21 out of 23 found this review helpful

"Crosby, Stills, And Nash." Pretty much every rock devotee has seen their debut performance at Woodstock in the film of the same name. It's also fairly safe to say that pretty much anyone with a mild interest in music over the past fifty years that rock's existed knows at least one song on this release? I was a fan of Buffalo Springfield, the Byrds, and the Hollies and hear the echoes of each group in this, the first release by Crosby, Stills, and Nash. I've always liked acoustic-based music, and very much appreciate Stephen Stills musicianship on this masterpiece. While Graham Nash seemed to be the member who penned the most tunes for the radio, "Guinnevere" by David Crosby and "Helplessly Hoping" by Stills are two of the highlights of this LP / CD. Of course, it's the opening track everyone either loves or hates, but the moodiness and "trip" this album takes its listener on can't be overlooked. I was fortunate enough to see Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young when they reunited to play at Madison Square Garden in New York. Having seen film footage of the group in action prior to that, and from many years before, I couldn't help but think of the Grateful Dead line "What A Long, Strange Trip It's Been!" I've been told that the group's most recent tour will be their last? I'm helplessly hoping that isn't so, but regardless, appreciate the thirty years of great music they've given us in various conglomerations. This LP / CD comes highly recommended!


ONE OF MY FAVOURITE ALBUMS...EVER!!!   January 2, 2002
Jared Insell (Canada)
17 out of 19 found this review helpful

When Crosby Stills and Nash blasted onto the rock scene in 1969 they were immidiately hailed as a super group and for good reason. David Crosby had already been known as one of the founding members of the Byrds. Stephen Stills had been the leader of Buffalo Springfield and Graham Nash had been in the Hollies. So when their debut was released on May 29 1969 it became an instant chart success.

Unlike some supergroups Crosby Stills & Nash had great chemistry from the day they were formed. They harmonized wonderfully together and wrote some excellent songs throughout their career.

Each member contributed some awesome material to this album. In my opinion there is not a single weak song on this record. Yes some songs surpass others but there is absolutely no filler on this album.

Stephen Stills has always been my favourite member of this supergroup. His SUITE:JUDY BLUE EYES is one of my faves and it features some great harmonization. YOU DON'T HAVE TO CRY has some great acoustic guitar playing by him and HELPLESSLY HOPING is a nice love ballad. He also wrote 49 BYE-BYES the powerful album closer. However his most powerful track here has to be WOODEN SHIPS which he co-wrote with Crosby.

David Crosby's compositions are very good also. GUINNEVERE has been considered a throw away to some but if you listen carefully you realize the awesome uses of an acoustic guitar and harmonizing voices. LONG TIME GONE is a bit of a hippy anthem but I love the singing voice he uses on that song it is so unique and powerful and the chorus is gold.

Graham Nash proves he can work with the best of them as his MARRAKESH EXPRESS (a song obviously tied in with hash) is a very fun song. He also composes the hearty rocking PRE-ROAD DOWNS and performed the prettiest love ballad on the album with LADY OF THE ISLAND another one of his own compositions.

The success of Crosby Stills & Nash's debut led to them winning best new artist of that year at the grammy awards
some of their songs were also featured on the Woodstock movie. Neil Young would later join the group in 1970.

In conclusion "Crosby Stills & Nash" should be in everybodys cd collection. Whether you are a young music fan or an older fan, you'll love this. Heck I'm only fifteen and it is one of my top 10 favourite albums that I have every heard! Yes folks it is that good! So if you want wonderful harmony, excellent guitar playing and great songs and just overall good music then may I suggest you do yourself a favour and get this cd! You will not be disappointed my mom showed me her old LP of it and I immidiately fell in love with it. So I got the cd and have not stopped listening since the day I got it. Highly recommended!


Awesome debut   June 18, 2003
John Alapick (Wilkes-Barre, PA United States)
13 out of 14 found this review helpful

Crosby, Stills, & Nash's debut is a fantastic album and arguably their best. Simply put, this is a classic album with excellent songs, beautiful harmonies, and stellar musicianship. Several tracks from this album are still standards on album-oriented radio. All three members are in top form here. Leading the way is their most popular and memorable track, Stephen Stills' "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes", a beautiful song which has not aged one day since its original release. He also contributes the classic acoustic tracks "Helplessly Hoping" and "You Don't Have To Cry", which are two of the band's best examples of their soaring harmonies. David Crosby's "Guinnevere" and "Long Time Gone" are classic rock standards and are two of the best tracks in his long and illustrious career. Graham Nash also wrote some of his best pop songs here with "Marrakesh Express", "Pre-Road Downs", and "Lady of the Island." But the strongest track would have to be "Wooden Ships", written by Crosby, Stills, and Paul Kantner of Jefferson Airplane. This is a powerful track with excellent lyrics and an awesome performance by the band. While CSN would release a few other strong albums after this, such as the excellent Deja Vu album, this is the band at their best. Highly recommended.