Customer Reviews

Daylight Again

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was 10 years old when this album came out, so unlike others who were already contrasting the "aging hippies" with their younger days, I knew nothing of previous CSN. (Or of Crosby's drug problems for that matter.) I simply enjoyed "Wasted on the Way" and "Southern Cross" when listening to Casey Kasem's American Top 40, right alongside efforts by Michael Jackson. It never occurred to me that CSN was an "older" group ; I simply loved both of those songs, great singles then, great songs now. I think this goes to show how much more enjoyable music can be when we actually listen to it innocently for its own sake, rather than getting wrapped up into who's "in," "out," "old," or "young."

Anyhow, I officially became a true CSN fan in 1989 at 17, and listened to about half of the songs on this album tirelessly. I think half of the songs are great, if not flat out killer songs that represent CSN/Y at their best, while the other half are just weak filler that are not unlike what we have (sadly) come to expect from this band. The best moments here are "Delta" (my favorite CSN/Y song ever) the two previously mentioned singles, "Song for Susan," "You are Alive," "Might as Well Have a Good Time," and "Daylight Again." The rest I can do without, but anyone who has only listened to the two singles really should give this album another spin because there really are some gems here. These are the type of songs that to me are so soothing and beautiful and unique and eternal, that it's really hard for me to imagine the egos behind the scenes getting into their fights, etc. I experience such serenity when listening to CSN.

In the end I think there are three phases of CSN/Y studio albums : 1) Crosby Stills and Nash (1969) and Deja Vu (1970) - both killer albums from beginning to end 2) CSN (1977) and Daylight Again (1982) - 1/2 gems mixed with 1/2 junk 3) American Dream (1988) Live it Up (1990) After the Storm (1994) Looking Forward (1999) - almost entirely trash, some rare good moments in each at best.

Maybe this album seemed disappointing at the time relative to the first album in 1969 and Déjà Vu in 1970, but wouldn't CSN/Y fans do anything for something like this now? Can you imagine Stills once again managing to write something as good as "Southern Cross"? Why do they (CSNY) keep telling us that they think they are getting better? Even Crosby seems to be apologizing during the CSNY concerts when he explains that "we like the old songs too, but the new songs keep us alive."

Go for Daylight Again if you are in any way a fan of CSN's music. And pray that they will make an album like this again someday.

I love this collection. "Southern Cross" is my single favorite song on this collection and as one reviewer aptly noted, it is the music that keeps us alive (to a certain extent). Crosby, Stills & Nash show great growth and development in this collection, while they remain true to the gentle sounds that made us love them. "Song for Susan" and "Might as Well Have a Good Time" and "Delta" are songs of extraordinarily high caliber.

They did a nice job. And like another reviewer stated, we'll pray for them to do something like this again. This CD has a place of honor for car listening as well as home listening. And yes, I do have my 1982 original (from the stone age before CDs). CROSBY, STILLS & NASH ARE MY ALL TIME FAVORITES!

I go this DVD as soon as it became available. Working my way through the menu I began to listen to the songs I really wanted to hear. It was tough because there are so many great covers of their stuff on this concert. Wooden Ships shows Stills just blistering the guitar. I had my 15 & 24 year old watch it with me and just waited to hear them respond. They DID. Then i took them to Suite Judy Blue Eyes and that floored them as well. Same with Southern Cross and Wasted on the Way, especially the vocals. Stills' voice is so strong on this, as is Nash's. Stills is clearly in control both vocally and musically. When i first saw the DVD it appeared that Crosby was stoned out of his mind. When i checked the date of the concert i realized this was just before I saw him at The Wax Museum (an irony for his present condition) in Washington, DC. He was barely coherant then and kept leaving the stage to do whatever it was he was doing to stay high. He had the same look in this concert. His voice is tentative and he comes across as almost terrified to be on stage. Nash's harmonies are heavenly as usual. The song selection and delivery is well worth the investment. The back and forth between Stills and Finnegan during Wooden Ships is amazing.

Because of the largely negative reviews from many reviewers at Amazon, I actually avoided purchasing this for over 2 years. However, after getting it for just $12 on sale, I couldn't resist, and I'm so glad I finally resisted to temptation and my own better judgement. Sure, the concert and this tour was perhaps the low point in Crosby's career, and he had very little voice (and looked awful). However, that just about wraps up the only thing negative about this DVD.

I have well over 70 concert DVDs and an excellent surround sound system, and I would rate this concert well within the top quartile. For starters, the 5.1 surround sound audio is outstanding. Second, you will rarely find a CSN set list so comprehensive, top notch and extensive...21 songs spanning 110 minutes and covering their entire catalogue...Of the 21 songs, at most 3 could be considered "fillers", and the rest are all amongst their classics-- including somewhat rare performances of Chicago, You Don't Have To Cry, and the Beatles' Blackbird, the latter two done accoustically with just Stills' career-best guitar work. Third, though David Crosby was hurting, Stephen Still has never been better in concert-- both in voice and in musicianship (he lost his voice soon after), and Graham Nash (though bouncing around as if he was on greenies) was top notch, as well.

Net, net-- I'd fully recommend this concert DVD to any CSN fan-- avid or casual in nature. It's a perfect compliment to the early 1990s recorded Accoustic Concert DVD, as in that one, both Crosby and Nash bring their "A games", whereas Stills has by that time lost his clear voice (though his guitar work was also excellent in that one).

Truth to tell, this was really more a Stills-Nash record as Crosby by his own admission was either missing or barely a participant in the creative and recording process. Look at the DVD of the Daylight Again Tour to see just how scarey a shape Cros is in. In any case, the first half of this CD was a plea to David to get clean and get himsloef in order before he lost his life. Even the incredible "Delta" was Crosby's own acknowledgement of his fsacination with staring into the deep of the river taking his life away. The second half of the original disc never impressed me - too saccarine and sentimental in the case of Nash, too bombast with Stills, and oddly redeemed by Crosby's "Might as well".
The good news here is that the inclusion of three Stills' ottakes and an acosutic demo of "Might as well" take this CD elsewhere altogether. In hindsight, they came up with a much better record. Go figure. They never did it the easy way.
So, I'd highly recommend this disc. Now, if they could just lose that stupid cover art, and get a Henry Diltz photo of early morning in Manassas or the Shenandoah Valley, they might really have something here.

It's not exactly improving on the wheel, but this reissue of part three in the Crosby, Stills and Nash trilogy (1969's 'Crosby, Stills & Nash', 1977's 'CSN', and this puppy) accomplishes two goals: remastering the original mix to accomodate the vast potential of the digital format, and beginning the reclamation of lost tracks from the era. In addition to the original eleven track album, purchasers will be treated to four bonus tracks, two of which are fine Stephen Stills compositions, one a rehash of David Crosby's paltry contribution to the disc, and the last a Stills and Nash composition that originally appeared on the litigated-out-of-sight-but-not-out-of-mind CSN orphan, 'Allies', which was released in 1983. Apparently the song that has caused all the commotion, Stephen's fine 'War Games', remains on someone's blacklist... otherwise you might think that would be appearing here as well. Nevertheless, the Stills-Nash collaboration 'Raise a Voice' has finally been liberated from Limbo. The track is an optimistic look at social activism, and perhaps the sweetest Stills-Nash track in the entire CSN body of work.

There are some well-written liner notes from Rolling Stone essayist David Fricke, which reveal that not only was this album originally submitted as a Stills and Nash collaboration, but that it was summarily rejected by Atlantic Records until David Crosby could be signed on. You would think by this time that the poster boys of the Woodstock generation would be calling their own shots, and that they would opt for artistic freedom and authenticity, but even Graham Nash is quoted as saying, "What would a Stills-Nash record sell compared to a CSN album?" I can't argue with the answer, but tacking on a couple Crosby misfits (only one of which was penned by Crosby) and calling it a Crosby, Stills and Nash album seems less than genuine, especially since the harmonies that made their name are nowhere to be found on the finished product. In fact, including the bonus tracks, Graham Nash only contributes three compositions, making this more than anything else a Stephen Stills solo album.

And looked at from the perspective of a Stephen Stills fan... what an album it is! Stephen rocks hardy on no less than five tracks ('Turn Your Back On Love', 'Southern Cross', 'Since I Met You', 'Too Much Love To Hide' and 'Tomorrow Is Another Day'), and contributes solid acoustic fare with 'You Are Alive', 'Daylight Again', and 'Feel Your Love'. Clearly, Stephen had captured a creative second wind following a couple of weaker solo efforts from the late 1970's ('Illegal Stills' and 'Thoroughfare Gap'), not to mention an off-center collaboration with Neil Young in 1976, 'Long May You Run'. These contributions from Stills are lyrically strong. Consider "Turn your mind into a window, and the listener will lead who follows" from 'Too Much Love To Hide', or "You're dying to prove that you are never wrong, you're so right you'd rather be sad, but you won't go along" from 'Turn Your Back On Love'. Stephen also jams exquisitely on his guitar on songs such as 'Since I Met You' and 'Tomorrow Is Another Day'.

Nash also makes some fine contributions, in particular the melodious Top Ten hit single from the disc, 'Wasted On the Way'. 'Song For Susan' proclaims Nash's deep love for his wife every bit as clearly as 'Into the Darkness' speaks to friend David Crosby's nearly suicidal addiction to hard drugs ("I see your face, it is ghostly pale, into the sunset, we are watching you sail"). Crosby somehow managed to unleash his own meaningful moment on 'Daylight Again' through the appropriately hazy lyrics of 'Delta', and to a lesser degree on a worthy composition by keyboardist Craig Doerge and wife Judy Henske, 'Might As Well Have a Good Time' (which is reprised in the bonus tracks with an unremarkable demo version). These are low-key affairs however for someone with the bombastic image of David Crosby.

It's unfortunate that the bonus tracks could not inlude Stephen's synthesizer-driven 'War Games', one of the few songs which justified the abundant use of that instrument in the 1980's. Nevertheless, the presence of these excellent bonus tracks has significantly elevated the stature of the most maligned studio album by the trio. The package includes the lyrics... even the lyrics for the bonus tracks... giving the impression that the band was willing to go the extra mile to beef this one up. So trade in your old, stalling 1990 version for this upgrade... it will drive you out of the darkness and into the daylight again!

`Daylight Again' concludes the trilogy of collectible Crosby, Stills and Nash releases. The album shares many traits with its predecessor, `CSN', with its heavy focus on relationship based themes, solid composing and superb musicianship. You would be hard pressed to find here any of the social commentary the debut `Crosby, Stills and Nash' album was laden with, yet over their 13 year association the artists have certainly matured and developed a style that `Daylight Again' brings full circle. In the three albums, there is the sense that the three musicians have completed a mission of sorts. `Daylight Again' concludes what feels to be a complete body of work.

It is well known that David Crosby's drug problems greatly limited his involvement in this project. While `Delta' is a strong composition, Crosby's only other contribution, `Might As Well Have a Good Time' wasn't penned by Crosby, and neither song does much to highlight the singer's considerable vocal talents. Crosby was apparently so compromised that the bulk of the album lacks the harmonies which are the hallmark of the trio. Vocal contributions by Eagle Timothy B. Schmitt, keyboardist Michael Finnigan, and even Art Garfunkle on the title track help mask the funk Crosby was in, but no suitable surrogate could spawn their signature synthesis of sound.

Fortunately, all was not lost. There is nothing like a void to usher in a personality as strong as Stephen Stills', and Stephen ably ushers himself in. He pens half the songs on the disc, and every last one is a winner. `Southern Cross' has become a classic, after ascending to number 18 on the national charts in 1982. `Turn Your Back On Love', the opener on the disc, along with `Since I Met You' and `Too Much Love To Hide' are gritty, catchy tunes bursting with a sound Stills had been honing throughout his career (hear the similarity between `Too Much Love...' and `Circlin' from 1976's `Illegal Stills'). `You Are Alive' is more laid back, but with a sound pulse and thoughtful lyrics. The CD concludes on another Stills tune, wedding the title track with `Find the Cost of Freedom', a Revolutionary War melody used by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young to close out performances on their legendary tours circa 1970. All in all, it's a wonderful collection of music from a performer many had written off after a lackluster `Thoroughfare Gap' solo effort four years previous.

Despite Stills' dominance on the disc, Graham Nash posts a solid effort as well. `Into the Darkness' is, in retrospect, a haunting tune given his close friend Crosby's drug abuse. It is difficult to listen to without imagining that Crosby was the lone target of its message. The song is every bit as effectual as Neil Young's `The Needle and the Damage Done', and is certainly the hardest rock number Nash has offered this side of `Pre-Road Downs'. Nash also pens `Wasted On the Way', a nostalgic, autobiographical song about the trio. Although it never broke into the Top-40, the song received considerable airplay and has become a staple of CSN concerts. The third Nash composition, `Song For Susan', is a fine, touching, romantic ballad. All of Nash's songs on `Daylight Again' are emotionally
moving, sincere, and musically appealing.

`Daylight Again', as it has turned out, is the swan song for Crosby, Stills and Nash. None of their other releases from the 1980's or 1990's can approximate the musical genius possessed by their first three efforts together, even with Crosby's debilitation in round three. If you enjoy the varied talents and virtuosity these artists blend together, all three discs are a must to own. Start with whichever one you can set your hands on first.

Knowing the street date was June 9th, I stopped off at Best Buy, they didn't have it, but that's not surprising, they didn't have Cat Stevens two weeks earlier. I then went to the local record store and there sat one copy each of CSN "Acoustic" and "Daylight" again. I now own about 100 Concert DVD's, all are classic rock, two weeks earlier I picked up Cat Stevens "Majikat" from 1976, Doobie Bros "Rockin' Down the Highway" from 1996 and Simon & Garfunkel at Central Park from 1981. One of my first DVD purchases about two years ago was a Supertramp show from 1983 and I've been turned off on buying older shows ever since, normally looking for newer concerts because of the audio and video. However recently I picked up the Doors Collection and the 1968 L.A. show that's included is pretty good so I've expanded my horizon. If your a fan of Cat Stevens, his new DVD will blow you away, even though I've held a grudge for his changes in lifestyle and religion it was easy to forget all that. Now, two weeks later I'm sitting down to watch CSN Acoustic & Daylight Again. I start off with the older 1983 Daylight again. I've been a fan since 1969 but have never seen them in person, I own the Woodstock DVD, and I can remember wearing out the Deja Vu record while stationed overseas in 1970-'71 and later the Four Way Street album. First off, the DVD audio and video are excellent, as good as any current DVD recordings. The concert was pretty much as I expected, a good backup band, a mix of old and newer songs, some acoustic, some electric and some with Graham on piano. I didn't know Graham Nash played guitar, it's interesting when they open and you see three guitars standing side-by-side. I would recommend buying this DVD, giving it 4 out of 5 stars. The second DVD, "Acoustic" recorded 1991, I'll probably rewatch more because it includes more of the songs I like. Stephen Stills is plugged in quite a bit of the time, so the main difference is there are no drums or keyboard backup, however CSN is good either way. The audiences on both concert DVD's are really into the band, but on the "Acoustic" DVD the San Franciscan crowd is a bigger part of the event, probably because it's a little smaller venue and the band invites them to be more vocal. Even though it's billed as acoustic, it's an energetic show, I would give "Acoustic" 4-1/2 stars. Do what I did, buy both DVD's.

`Daylight Again' concludes the trilogy of collectible Crosby, Stills and Nash releases. The album shares many traits with its predecessor, `CSN', with its heavy focus on relationship based themes, solid composing and superb musicianship. You would be hard pressed to find here any of the social commentary the debut `Crosby, Stills and Nash' album was laden with, yet over their 13 year association the artists have certainly matured and developed a style that `Daylight Again' brings full circle. In the three albums, there is the sense that the three musicians have completed a mission of sorts. `Daylight Again' concludes what feels to be a complete body of work.

It is well known that David Crosby's drug problems greatly limited his involvement in this project. While `Delta' is a strong composition, Crosby's only other contribution, `Might As Well Have a Good Time' wasn't penned by Crosby, and neither song does much to highlight the singer's considerable vocal talents. Crosby was apparently so compromised that the bulk of the album lacks the harmonies which are the hallmark of the trio. Vocal contributions by Eagle Timothy B. Schmitt, keyboardist Michael Finnigan, and even Art Garfunkle on the title track help mask the funk Crosby was in, but no suitable surrogate could spawn their signature synthesis of sound.

Fortunately, all was not lost. There is nothing like a void to usher in a personality as strong as Stephen Stills', and Stephen ably ushers himself in. He pens half the songs on the disc, and every last one is a winner. `Southern Cross' has become a classic, after ascending to number 18 on the national charts in 1982. `Turn Your Back On Love', the opener on the disc, along with `Since I Met You' and `Too Much Love To Hide' are gritty, catchy tunes bursting with a sound Stills had been honing throughout his career (hear the similarity between `Too Much Love...' and `Circlin' from 1976's `Illegal Stills'). `You Are Alive' is more laid back, but with a sound pulse and thoughtful lyrics. The CD concludes on another Stills tune, wedding the title track with `Find the Cost of Freedom', a Revolutionary War melody used by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young to close out performances on their legendary tours circa 1970. All in all, it's a wonderful collection of music from a performer many had written off after a lackluster `Thoroughfare Gap' solo effort four years previous.

Despite Stills' dominance on the disc, Graham Nash posts a solid effort as well. `Into the Darkness' is, in retrospect, a haunting tune given his close friend Crosby's drug abuse. It is difficult to listen to without imagining that Crosby was the lone target of its message. The song is every bit as effectual as Neil Young's `The Needle and the Damage Done', and is certainly the hardest rock number Nash has offered this side of `Pre-Road Downs'. Nash also pens `Wasted On the Way', a nostalgic, autobiographical song about the trio. Although it never broke into the Top-40, the song received considerable airplay and has become a staple of CSN concerts. The third Nash composition, `Song For Susan', is a fine, touching, romantic ballad. All of Nash's songs on `Daylight Again' are emotionally
moving, sincere, and musically appealing.

`Daylight Again', as it has turned out, is the swan song for Crosby, Stills and Nash. None of their other releases from the 1980's or 1990's can approximate the musical genius possessed by their first three efforts together, even with Crosby's debilitation in round three. If you enjoy the varied talents and virtuosity these artists blend together, all three discs are a must to own. Start with whichever one you can set your hands on first.

Being a long time, hard core CSN fan I read all the reviews before deciding to take a chance and purchase this dvd. With all the negative comments I wasn't expecting much. Turns out this concert deserves to be in any CSN fan's collection.

Granted, the comments on Crosby's condition/lack of contribution are mostly right on, he was certainly not playing with all his facilties. But Stills and Nash carry the day. Makes you wonder just how significant Crosby was to the group in the first place.

Any seasoned CSN concert goer learns that it is always a crap shoot when you go to a CSN concert. I've seen them live 6 times. Some nights they are on(and incredible), other nights(not so good). This night Stills and Nash were on. Stills clearly shows why he is one of the best acoustic/singer performers around. I've seen Nash get excited and animated in other concerts when he knew they were on that night. Same with this concert.


So . . . if you are a fan, buy it and play it loud. Not many stinkers on this one.