Record basics

Album name: Crosby, Stills & Nash
Group name: Crosby, Stills & Nash
Year: 1969
Number of discs: one
Label: Atlantic Records
Collection: Brenner / Gessner
Distinguishing characteristics: my parents had two copies of this album. My father’s has a “G” in the upper left corner of the album, and “GESSNER” written on the inside of the sleeve, and my mother’s has a sticker that says “GOLD RECORD AWARD: AUDITED AND CERTIFIED BY RIAA,” as well as “Brenner” written on the face of the record.
Buy it on Amazon: $24.98

My review

Level of familiarity before listening

This is definitely one that I grew up hearing. I don’t listen to it a lot, but I know it well.

What I expected

Folk rock and vocal harmonies.

What it was actually like

Suite: Judy Blue Eyes, of course, stands above all the other songs on this record; I’ve mentioned multiple times (1, 2, 3) how wonderful and special it is. Even if CSN had never recorded it, or if they had left it off this record, however, the rest still would have been grand: Marrakesh Express, Wooden Ships, Long Time Gone and Helplessly Hoping are all outstanding, and I love the contrasts between the electric guitars on Wooden Ships and the vocal harmonies on Helplessly Hoping.

I’m not a big fan of Guinnevere, but it’s really the only song on the record that I consider boring and uninteresting.

Grade

5/5: love it

Crosby, Stills & Nash (Vinyl record album review)