This new live album presents a performance by the band at the legendary Fillmore East from September of 1969. All four members of the band – David Crosby, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills and Neil Young – were involved in this release but it was Stills and Young who actually mixed, edited, and put the album together. While the actual performance had 24 songs, they cut it down to these 17 songs so they would fit onto the double vinyl album. All 17 songs fit on the CD version which I bought and listened to.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s first live LP–1971’s 4 Way Street–was a great album. In 2014 the band released the three-disc 1974 box which was consisted of performances from CSNY’s reunion tour in 1974 that Crosby called “The Doom Tour.”
I’m a big fan of 1974, but this “new” live album from 1969 has a lot of energy with CSNY at the height of their talents. The “Acoustic Set” is good but I prefer the “Electric Set” especially “Wooden Ships.” Are you a CSNY fan? Any favorite song here? GRADE: A
TRACK LIST:
ACOUSTIC SET:
1. “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”
2. “Blackbird”
3. “Helplessly Hoping”
4. “Guinnevere”
5. “Lady Of The Island”
6. “Go Back Home”
7. “On The Way Home”
8. “4 + 20”
9. “Our House”
10. “I’ve Loved Her So Long”
11. “You Don’t Have To Cry”
Electric Set:
1. “Long Time Gone”
2. “Wooden Ships”
3. “Bluebird Revisited”
4. “Sea Of Madness”
5. “Down By The River”
6. “Find The Cost Of Freedom”
Everyone here knows that I’m a huge CSNY fan (and “secret” Stephen Stills fan girl). I love the songs on this collection, but much of it seems like a retread of “4 Way Street”. The only song I’m unfamiliar with is “I’ve Loved Her So Long”—I shall have to seek it out. My two favorites on the record are “On the Way Home” and “Sea of Madness”.
Deb, I’m surprised it took Stills and Young this long to release this live performance from the Vault.
Coincidence Alert!
My brother just sent me this one for my birthday. He knows we’ve seen them in various combinations over the years – most recently, just Graham Nash solo.. In general, Jackie didn’t think the sound was as good as some other live albums we have, but it’s pretty good, though maybe B+/A-. Favorite songs? Most of them aren’t on here (after 1969), but I like the version of Wooden Ships and Neil’s Down By the River,
Jeff, great minds think alike! For CSNY fans, LIVE AT THE FILLMORE EAST 1969 is a must buy. The later live albums have better sound, but this performance from the Sixties entertained me.
Maybe I can get a copy for Christmas! I’m a big fan of these guys!
Bob, I think Santa will send you a copy for Christmas since you’re on the NICE LIST this year!
Like their work, though I like their previous bands’ work at least as much…the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and the Hollies.
Todd, for some–like Cap’n Bob–the late Sixties and early Seventies was the Golden Age of Rock ‘n Roll. Great artists, great groups, great music!