Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. July 8th 2010.

The very names of Crosby, Stills and Nash are ones that are spoken in almost hushed tones amongst the music fraternity and with a touch of reverence when it comes to their fans. Softly spoken when they want to be, exuberant with their guitars…certainly, beautiful voices…most positively, but never once irrelevant!

There are certainly not many bands that receive a standing ovation from an audience just by going off stage during a break!

David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Lancashire born Graeme Nash have been responsible for some of the most interesting and public conscious changing music for the last six decades, whether it with their own work or with the added, incredible extra that is Neil Young.

The guys came on stage to applause fitting their demeanour before getting straight down to the job at hand by playing some of their most favourite and crowd pleasing signature tunes which included the opener Woodstock, the vocal friendly Marrakesh Express and the scintillating Long May You Run.

After a short break in which the band joked “That they wanted to see the end of the Germany-Spain semi final” Crosby, Stills and Nash came back out on stage and proceeded to cover some of their favourite artists and friends tracks with a few little bonuses thrown in. These wonderful covers included an incredible down beat harmonic version of the Beatles’ classic Norwegian Wood, The Rolling Stones’ Ruby Tuesday and the inclusion of Pete Townsend’s Behind Blue Eyes which lifted the crowd even more.

Without doubt, the three survivors from a turbulent time within music still produce some of the finest harmonies in the music business and whatever happens behind the scenes and away from the glare and devotion of the fan’s eyes they are quite rightly considered to be among the top acts that you should catch at least once in your life.

Although they have nothing to prove they continued to impress their loyal fans with superb renditions of songs as diverse as Cathedral an incredible version of the band’s hit with Neil Young Our House which showed Graeme Nash at his absolute best. The respected folk rockers finished a very emotive set with the encores which included Stephen Stills 1970 top 20 hit Love the One You’re With and Teach Your Children

A night of music that was amongst some of the finest ever heard at the Echo Arena and which proved no matter how old you are, the passion and ability never really leave you.

Ian D. Hall