David Crosby - For Free (Album Review)
A mere month before his 80th birthday David Crosby returns with a new record ‘For Free’ and continues a career renaissance that would have been, at the very least, unlikely just a few short years ago. The famed singer and songwriter is undoubtedly one of the greats. His role as a founding member of two of the seminal groups of the late 60s (The Byrds/Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young) and his contribution and influence on what became known as the Laurel Canyon sound confirms Crosby’s status. Unfortunately, Crosby’s career has been dogged by personal tragedy, ill health, substance abuse and a seemingly unmatched ability to annoy the hell out of people, most notably his fellow band members. With the release of ‘Lighthouse’ in 2016 Crosby was back making great music in the studio and touring with like-minded musicians who understood Crosby’s musical legacy and were intent on adding to it. The genesis of this resurgence can be traced back to Crosby’s work in CPR a trio he formed with his son James Raymond and Jeff Pevar. It was Raymond who produced Crosby’s first solo album in twenty years (2014’s ‘Croz’) and now helms ‘For Free’.
Unsurprisingly, Crosby, Raymond and a host of impeccable musicians, many of whom members of Crosby’s Sky Trails Band, go for a warm, laidback West Coast vibe delivering perfectly judged performances on what is a remarkably concise record. Everything clocks in around the 3-4 minute mark and, as a result, the album fairly flies by without feeling rushed. ‘River Rise’ gets things off to an impressive start with the unmistakably warm voice of Michael McDonald joining Crosby as the duo dovetail beautifully, McDonald’s restrained contribution is the perfect counterpoint to Crosby’s lighter tone. ‘I Think I’ is up next, and it’s fast becoming an album highlight due to an excellent vocal arrangement on the chorus where Crosby is joined by backing vocalist/acoustic guitarist Steve Postell (Pure Prairie League/Jennifer Warnes). Another favourite is the laidback and lightly funky ‘Rodriguez For A Night’. Crosby and Raymond share the writing duties here with Donald Fagan and Steely Dan fans are in for a treat. The playing is really great here with excellent contributions from Dean Parks (Guitar), Steve Tavaglione (Tenor Saxophone) and Walt Fowler (Flugelhorn, French Horn).
Elsewhere Crosby does slip in a cover, despite the strength of the original material, enlisting Sarah Jarosz to add the high harmony to the Joni Mitchell penned ‘For Free’. “Joni’s the greatest living singer/songwriter” claims Crosby and he should know. The Crosby take on ‘For Free’ (originally from Joni’s 1970 release ‘Ladies Of The Canyon’) remains faithful to the original with Crosby and Jarosz only requiring Raymond’s piano to fill out the sound. Once again, the choice of artist to share the vocal duties is spot on.
‘For Free’ is a fine album that is sure to please Crosby’s extensive fan base. As I mentioned earlier, the songs are remarkably concise (occasionally ending with an unexpected thud that leaves you wanting a little more). The jazzy leanings present in some of Crosby’s work are kept in reserve, seemingly content to add colour via the occasional injection of horns. Fittingly Crosby is front and centre, his remarkably well-preserved voice perfect on a string of lovingly crafted songs blessed with immaculate vocal arrangements, often over a bed of acoustic guitars, while producer Raymond sympathetically utilizes a host of synths and deftly programmed drum tracks to merge the old and the new with ‘The Other Side Of Midnight’ a fine example. “I’m facing the squall line/Of a thousand-year storm/I don’t know if I’m dying/Or about to be born” sings Crosby on the poignant album closer ‘I Won’t Stay For Long’, penned by Raymond, and it seems like a good place to sign off, but with Crosby, I wouldn’t be so sure.
A new name to me, but based on the new EP, ‘Tigers in Your Backyard (Nocturnal Edition)’, Molly Murphy is one to watch. Initially, Molly embarked on a promising college career as a double Film and English Major pursuing a career in screenwriting but left all that behind to form a band (as you do). Murphy’s latest release finds the singer-songwriter adding a modern sheen to her traditional Celtic roots.