Search - Cpr :: Live at Wiltern

Maturity Counts

D. C. Webster | Seal Beach, CA | 03/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I grew up with David Crosby. (No, not literally.) But, from the Byrds to CSN/CSNY to the solo recordings to the Crosby/Nash, David's music has been like a faithful friend and has seen me through the best and the worst times of my life. When I was fortunate to get ahold of a ticket to the now-legendary Wiltern concert in '98, I felt like I was going to a college reunion. That performance and this album show one of rock's greatest artists at a very special point where maturity and artistry intersect to give us music that is both intensely personal and eternally accessible. David poured his heart out on the stage that night, and it comes through loud and clear on "Live At The Wiltern." I saw CSNY on their recent tour and had a great time, but the Wiltern concert and this album will live with me a whole lot longer than the CSNY reunion. David is still growing and he invites us on the journey. When so many rock icons of my youth are embarrassing themselves with hollow nostalgia acts, David continues to push his own envelope. It's all here in this album. Check out how even "Ohio," now thirty years out of date politically, still crackles with the anger and intensity of 1970. Listen to "That House" and see if there aren't some incredible insights about what happens when a relationship ends. From start to finish, a stunning monument to a great career that just seems to keep on going."

Yet another stoney evening

John S. Ryan | Silver Lake, OH | 12/28/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

". . . but this time around, it's drug-free. (This live CD was released within a year or so of the Grateful Dead label's release of Crosby/Nash's 1971 live set, _Another Stoney Evening_.)



I've been very impressed with CPR's two studio CDs, so I finally got around to buying this one. I'm glad I did; it's terrific.



CPR (for David Crosby, Jeff Pevar, James Raymond, and also a pun: it's music for the heart) are one helluva band. Backed here by percussionist Steve di Stanislao and bassist Andrew Ford, they perform live at UCLA not long after the release of their first studio album. And _what_ a performance.



The first CD consists mostly of stuff from the first studio release, the exceptions being a slick and jazzy version of "Homeward Through the Haze" and a dreamy take on "Delta." It's well performed, but except for the expanded version of Crosby's gorgeous "Rusty and Blue," the songs sounds enough like the studio versions that it probably wouldn't be worth buying this live release for these songs alone. They do confirm that the gang didn't use any digital-electronic sleight of hand on _CPR_: they really _are_ this good. But unless you're a dedicated fan of either CPR or Crosby, you _could_ rest satisfied with the studio versions.



It's on the second CD that the training wheels really come off. First we hear a (then) new Crosby tune written for his son Django ("Dream for Him"); then the band is joined onstage by Marc Cohn (for Cohn's "Old Soldier") and Phil Collins (for "Hero," which Crosby and Collins co-wrote). Graham Nash participates in these latter two songs as well.



Then we _really_ cut loose. It's almost too bad the song titles are on the CD, because at the original concert these tunes were delivered as surprises. But it's still pretty fun to hear the audience gasp with recognition when the new arrangements of familiar tunes finally click into focus. (And Crosby is obviously chuckling with delight.)



The highlight is arguably "Deja Vu," which is expanded into a nearly thirteen-minute jazz sonata by the simple device of letting Raymond and Pevar take turns running with it. (And it serves as a sort of anthem for Crosby's trip down memory lane; this set of songs is a sort of career retrospective for him.)



But "Long Time Gone" and "Eight Miles High" burn up the air, and the band's cover of Neil Young's "Ohio" is just _blistering_. (Nash rejoins them for this one, and it sounds as though Crosby is still just as righteously PO'd about the KSU shootings as he was thirty years ago. Justifiably; me too.) And then there's an encore performance of "Almost Cut My Hair."



A great show, and I'm glad Crosby is still around letting his freak flag fly. I'm also glad he's hooked up with two such amazing musicians as Pevar and Raymond, who have plenty to bring to the party themselves. If you're a Crosby fan, you probably already have this CD -- but if you don't, grab it."

Musical Bliss in Los Angeles

Barry Grossman | Laguna Niguel, California | 01/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I must say, this is an awesome double CD! I happen to have been at this particular concert and knew then how special this night was. Tight musicianship and emotional playing is what you hear ! Crosby's voice ans stories are as good as ever. Jeff Pevar's guitar mastery is second to none. This guy can play and play oh so good ! James Raymond's piano playing is top notch as well as the songs of his that are performed on this CD. Not to mention the guest musicians that evening. Marc Cohn, Graham Nash and Phil Collins. This CD is a must have . You will cherish it forever !"