Customer Reviews

Crosby, Stills & Nash - Acoustic

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I own quite a number of DVD concerts and this one has to be one of the top 10. Recently I purchased " Daylight Again" and was somewhat disappointed ,but this one more than adds what the other concert lacked. Crosby is totally awesome. He literally beams with enthusiasm during this entire concert. They all do, but David stole the show this time. Little did he realize he'd be undergoing a liver transplant 4 years later. Even though the concert is named " Acoustic" it's not totally that, Stills is quite electric throughout the concert. At times he's almost overwhelming on certain songs in my opinion. Their voices are powerful in this show. They started out a little flat on the first song, Deja Vu and I thought Ut Oh. Oh NO !, but then it changed and wow they got it together and sounded so good I got down right sappy. ( don't tell anyone about this please ) LOL... The sound of the DVD quality is just great. It sounded as good on my computer DVD player in stereo as it did on my Sony Trinitron with Dolby digital 5.1 surround sound. It's truely awesome. You won't be disappointed in this concert DVD , so take my word for it and add it to your collection. It will make you smile time and time again.

The musicianship in this concert was enlightening. I came away with a newfound respect for Crosby and Nash as players. Like many people, I used to assume that Stills carried the instrumental sound by himself, but it takes an acoustic venue to see that his two partners can also carry their load. "Just a Song Before I Go" is a great example -- first Nash, then Crosby surprising Stills with some nice filler riffs. CSN also pull off great acoustic versions of "Long Time Coming" and "wooden Ships." "Marrakesh Express" was especially tasty to hear Nash's guitar work on the intro and to finally be rid of that terrible studio overdub synth/guitar/whatever that was on the original album and single version.

Keeping in mind that this concert was in 1991, the vocals are as close to a peak as CSN have achieved. Crosby and Nash are right together on a beautiful rendition of "Guinevere". Stills clearly doesn't have the same vocal chops as he had 35 years ago, but since he sings the low parts it's not noticable in the blend -- only when he steps out for a vocal lick or two.

My only nitpick is that I absolutely hate audience participation songs, and at the close of the concert they do this three times. The "Friday evening...Tuesdays in the afternoon" section of "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" is classic CSN harmony, and they ruin it by letting the audience sing most of that part. They do it again on "Our House," (Stills looking strangely out of place singing backup vocals with Crosby on those cheesy lyrics), and later on the encore, "Teach Your Children." Gosh, I really don't want to hear several hundred really ordinary people sing those parts -- I want to hear the Blessed Three Cherubs on stage!

But for ten bucks, I guess I'll put up with it. The wonderful blend on "Find the Cost of Freedom", which is about 30 seconds tacked onto "Daylight Again," is worth the price of the DVD all by itself.

The post-credits note that some audio sweetening was performed. Exactly what that means, I can't fathom, but once I get past the annoyance of the audience participation, I can sit back and relax and enjoy this great performance. How good was it?....I watched it twice in a row.

If you are over 40, and have followed CSN for the past 30 years hoping to hear them play music of the quality similar to their first album - then you've got to hear this DVD, especially David and Graham doing "Guinnevere." I purchased this concert when it came out on VHS - and thought it was OK; then recenctly heard it on a good 5.1 surround system - it was a totally different experience! If you love CSN, and have 5.1 sound - I highly recommend this recording.

I pre-ordered these (Daylight Again & Acoustic) what seems like a lifetime ago when I first heard they were being produced. My mom and I sat down and watched them last night for the first time. Having seen CSN w/Y two years ago, I know first-hand that they just get better & better with age ... which brings me to my point. These are FANTASTIC DVD's -- required for libraries of all their fans. BUT -- the concert footage is nothing to compare with their present sound and stage presence. NEVERTHELESS, I enjoyed them and have watched parts of them again today. There is no greater harmony that these three guys -- and I mean no where. It gives you cold chills up and down your spine. And you do feel like you're there for both performances. Buy both of them now, enjoy them for a lifetime. Oh yeah -- they're on tour so check out their website ... found easily on a simple Google search.

This is a great reminder of how sweet music with a message can sound. CSN (and sometimes Y) provided us a link between street corner harmonies, hard CA guitar, and modern sensibilities. OK, it's an act as I sing and not a do as I do, but still CSN provided us with some of the most lyrical songs in 40 years. This is such a great concert because it captures that spirit of joy in performing and singing the song. They're all smiling and having fun and it's infectious. You can't help yourself by toe tapping and signing along. You may need to turn the music up a bit higher because you no longer could hit those high notes that you thought that you once could; but, the spirit of joy in and from the song are brought back to the stage by CSN.

I dare any group of musicians today to attempt to replicate the musicianship displayed in this concert. With the barest of essentials CSN prove they are still masters of the medium. Truly an exceptional concert not to be missed.

I've said it in other reviews about these guys, and I'll say it here, there is NOBODY that sounds like these guys. You can do all the studio tricks you want, but if you can't pull it off live, you're screwed. The music may be different from the albums, but the vocals are the same. These guys sound live how they do in the studio. What an awesome showing by the boys. Funniest part is, you fast-forward 15 years to Deja Vu Live, they sound almost as good as they do here.
There is not a bad song on this DVD. This is a great trip down memory lane. It's only a shame Neil Young wasn't there for this.

I picked up the Acoustic album in a moment of reminiscent nostalgia. While I enjoyed watching it and feel the recording deserves four stars, I found my nostalgia was satisfied before the end of the concert. This is a fine offering for someone who is a fan of CS&N but less so for someone who is just 'astral flashing.'

This is a great DVD. I have never seen CSN in concert, but this more than makes up for it.

I just purchased this from Amazon and Im glad I did. It is one of the most enjoyable concerts I have had the pleasure to watch. The music of CSN is timeless and their magic is captured here for all to see. Buy it!