When David Crosby moved on from his complicated life, almost exactly a year ago, I’d hoped to knock out a quick few covers in tribute. Turns out this process would take a while, huh?
Croz is never far from the rotation up in Harpswell holler, whether via the first Byrds records, CSN(&Y), his maligned (by many) and loved (by me) solo debut, or his harmony contributions to Jackson Browne, James Taylor and others. Honestly most of his output is not at all my cuppa tea, and he seems like a guy who absolutely would’ve driven me straight up a wall, but I love the stuff I love and when playing with others, Croz really was the secret sauce. Just that slippery, mysterious, dead-on middle harmony holding things together. Usually the hardest part to hear and to hit.
So I took a spin on some Byrds and CSNY material and tried to figure some things out. From the Byrds: “Mr. Tambourine Man”, the landmark Dylan cover of the first LP; “Eight Miles High”, the controversial psychedelic travelogue; “Lady Friend”, Croz’ only solo written and lead sung Byrds single. From CSN+/-Y: “Wooden Ships”, his Jefferson Airplane crossover that landed on the CSN debut; and “Helpless”, Neil Young’s forever classic that CSN somehow lifted even higher with their beautiful harmonies.
So there. Dunno how successful it was, but good clean fun. Kudos to Dillo for supplying the great bass parts and tones on these.
JK
Mr. Tambourine Man (Byrds “Mr. Tambourine Man” LP, 1965)
“Eight Miles High” (Byrds “Fifth Dimension” LP, 1966)
“Lady Friend” (Byrds single, 1967)
“Wooden Ships” (“Crosby, Stills and Nash”, 1969)
“Helpless” (CSNY “Deja Vu”, 1970)
Roadkill Buttsteak 