Customer Reviews

Just Like Gravity

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's probably inevitable that CPR will be thought of as "David Crosby's band," but that's a little unfair; CPR is probably the most genuinely _group_ effort Crosby's ever been involved with. Keyboards and vocals by Crosby's son James Raymond; guitars (and occasionally other stringed instruments) and vocals by Jeff Pevar; songwriting by whoever happens to be in the room at the time (including bassist Andrew Ford and percussionist Steve DiStanislao, not to mentions Crosby's wife Jan and longtime friend Graham Nash) -- all in all, this group is the diametrical opposite of Crosby, Stills, and Nash. Crosby has a hand in the writing of almost every tune on the CD and he sings lead vocals on most of them too. But this isn't just "his" band and I seriously doubt he'd characterize it that way.

It's probably also inevitable that the group's sound will be compared to Steely Dan, just because it's so slick and jazzy and because Raymond's fine keyboard work will probably appeal to fans of Michael Omartian. But that comparison doesn't do CPR justice either; their sound is their own.

Nevertheless CPR will almost undoubtedly have its strongest appeal to longtime listeners of David Crosby -- those who, like me, got hooked back in the days of CSN+/-Y (if not the Byrds) and have been waiting ever since for Crosby to realize fully the potential he showed on _If I Could Only Remember My Name_.

This is it, gang. If your favorite tracks on _CSN_ were "Shadow Captain," "Anything At All" and "In My Dreams," CPR is what you've been waiting for. I was blown away by CPR's first CD (and it's going to be a long time before they release any song I like better than "That House"). But if anything, _Just Like Gravity_ (their second studio CD, though they have a live one too) is even better overall.

There's not a weak spot or a visible seam anywhere on the thing. The writing -- music _and_ lyrics -- is textured and evocative throughout. James Raymond's voice has lost most of the "reedy" edge it had on the earlier CD. Raymond's songwriting has gotten even better; arguably the finest track here is the wry "Jerusalem," which he wrote all by his lonesome and performs on acoustic guitar and harmonica while the rest of the band gives him driving support. Crosby isn't slouching either, and he's got some wooden music on here that happens to be some of the best he's written in years. (I've quickly become a particular fan of "Climber.") And there just aren't all that many guitarists who can touch Pevar in all-around competence. (And _none_ of them are named "Stills." Heh heh.)

This band and this CD are _both_ the fulfillment of Crosby's potential _and_ a stunning group effort. There's no contradiction here (and no injustice in putting the matter this way): Crosby is at his best when he's in a group with other similarly gifted people and they can all play off one another in a way that CSN+/-Y have never done. This marvelous group effort _is_ what Crosby does best.

And of course all of his longtime listeners are glad he lived long enough to do it. His career path has been a little jagged owing to some major personal problems, but he's back on track and it's gratifying to see. We also, by the way, owe a grand "thank you" to Graham Nash, who has stood by Crosby through all of it and without whom the man probably wouldn't be here today.

And Crosby _still_ hasn't cut his hair.

Along with Bob Dylan and Richard Thompson, David Crosby remains one of the few singer-songwriter poets with something extraordinarily vital still to say. And finally with CPR he has a cadre of colleagues whose combined creative directions coalesce as no other assemblage of his ever has. In the space of 3 CDs, Crosby has eclipsed all he has ever done with his predecessors. James Raymond is not only a brilliant musician, but a writer of remarakable prowess and vision. It must be genetic. Jeff Pevar has an exquisite tone to his guitar work and brings in just what each song requires. And with Crosby as lead or collaborative songwriter, the benchmarks of what is required are high indeed.

Crosby has never sounded better. His voice has always been one of Rock's most commanding and authoritative regesters. Whether leading or harmonizing, Crosby paints in commanding strokes and the conviction, the gentleness, the complete range of emotion and intellectual exploration comes across on these tracks as brilliantly as anything he has ever sung, live, on "Wind on the Water", on CSN.

The songs themselves reflect his remarkable command of the subtleties and nuances of the language, all in the service of poetic observations, ethical questions and metaphysical contemplations. These are songs for those who are alive passionately and intelligently. He must compose on his boat a lot, for the songs evince a perspective and a rhythm that certainly puts me in mind of one contemplating horizons, nautical and otherwise.

All of us owe a huge debt to the donor and doctors who performed his liver transfer. One of the very best artists of the 20th century is soaring as he naver has before. This isn't just a great album. This is a must. A career defining statement from a man who has broken the trajectory of Gravity's Rainbow more times than seems humanly possible, and I think he would tell you it can be done because it is in fact humanly possible. As he once said jokingly in concert, "Sheer profundity!" Aye in spades!

Sometimes I think of Crosby's assertation that Neil Young is "bigger than the three of us." While that may be true commercially, I am not sure it is true artistically.

"Just Like Gravity" is one of things that makes me question that. While "Just Like Gravity" is only a shade off of CPR's debut, "CPR", it is an breathtaking work of art. "Work of art", here, is not thrown off lightly, but an actual and accurate use of a trite and tired expression.

We humans are a funny lot. While CSN sells tons of tickets every year, CPR does not. Actually, CPR is the more viable band. On "Just Like Gravity", a den of "hippies" could find mind-altering release.

While the album starts off with the pleasing pairing of "Map to Buried Treasure" and "Breathless", it's not until "Darkness" that we are reminded of how powerful David Crosby can be. "Gone Forever" holds this stunning pattern, too. "Eyes Too Blue" and "Jerusalem" are credible follow-ups, but it is not until the "second side" that Crosby flexes his muscle on this "democratic" trio. And where the highlight begin!

If this album consisted of nothing but "Kings Get Broken" it would be worth its cost. About many things on many levels (him, government, the state of the changing soul), Crosby proves again how he has majesterial way with lyrics.

Crosby dominates the close of this ablum, too. His "Climber" is a medatative piece on climbing walls -- maybe even climbing life itself. "Just Like Gravity" -- the title track -- leaves the listener wondering "Did I really just hear that? Is it real?" Yes, it is. And enjoy it while you can

This is among if not the best of the CSNY gang, since CSN. This is incredible and hardly anyone knows this album exists! This could be like one of the 19th century classic artists, totally undiscovered, genious material unlike anything the world has ever been graced with! I listen to this daily now for months. I know this is special, and I buy this album for my few friends and give it away. This was a gift to humanity and humanity, I fear, does not even know of it's existance.

CPR is the perfect vehicle for the talents of David Crosby. Co-writing songs with two very talented musicians in James Raymond and Jeff Pevar has produced two very fine studio albums. Both Raymond and Pevar are superior instrumentalists when compared to the Croz, and so we get a good number of songs enhanced with more complex arrangements than one would expect from David's pen alone. But for Crosby purists, there are three tunes on this album which are distinctly David (Kings Get Broken, Climber, Just Like Gravity). None of these will go down as his best work....but they do help to balance out the ebb and flow of the album. But again...not "Rusty and Blue"....not "Somehow She Knew".....two of his very best.

There are some real gems on this album. "Angel Dream" is a vocal masterpiece. Stunning, really. Raymond's "Jerusalem" is a real nice piece of work. Interesting lyrics.

"Just Like Gravity" is a well balanced album from beginning to end. A bit more interesting than the first album, I think...and I loved the first one.

A whole lot more interesting than anything we've heard from CSN&(Y)lately, that's for sure.

This is an excellent album! Most of us would have been forgiven for thinking that David Crosby had passed his peak a few years back, this album shows that he's still heading upwards! Crosby, along with Jeff Pevar and James Raymond have produced a superlative album better than any recent CSN (&Y) recordings. And CPR have their own sound, different to the band(s) mentioned above. Map to buried Treasure is a great opener - I've found myself singing the chorus for days. I also like Gone Forever and Just like gravity which remind me of old Crosby faves. But my favourites are Eyes too Blue, Jerusalem and Katie Did because they show the CPR "sound" as different and original. James Raymond has a distinctive voice, Jeff Pevar's guitar work is incredible, the rhythm section of Andrew Ford (Bass) and Steve DiStanislao (Drums)is solid and powerful and of course David brings it all together. Can I criticise this recording at all? OK. I caught CPR live in London last week and the songs sounded even better!

It's too bad that this group hasn't received the airplay and acclaim that it deserves. CPR has a lot of C--David Crosby--in it, but Croz himself will readily acknowledge that the P (Jeff Pevar) and the R (James Raymond) are equal partners in the sound that CPR produces. And what a sound it is! It's a team effort, combining great songwriting with beautiful, soaring harmonies. This album ranges from soft, haunting ballads ("Eyes Too Blue," "Breathless") to old-time rockers ("Katie Did"), all with lyrics that get your attention and make you think. Pevar's fine guitar work fits right in with Raymond's angelic tenor (and songwriting ability) and Crosby's well-honed sense of how it should all blend together. Steve DiStanislao on percussion and Andrew Ford on bass provide just the right amount of support to the mix. Make room in your CD collection for "Just Like Gravity": this music will earn a special place in your heart.

CPR-Just Like Gravity

CPR's second outing, Just Like Gravity is a strong effort. Though not as good as CPR's first disc or it's stellar live album, the disc has some excellent songs, phat harmony, and an all around warmness that keeps me coming back for repeated listens.

The song writing on JLG is almost as strong as the first CPR disc. There seems to have been more collaboration between the members on this outing. James Raymond adds his touches to several songs. For example, he adds a bridge to the otherwise good tunes Darkness and Angel of Mercy. Now I like James singing his own songs, but I think his additions to Crosby's tunes takes away from Crosby's straight ahead, meditative style of writing. These aforementioned songs would have been just fine with out Raymond's additions.

Speaking of Raymond, his tunes take up about 1/3 of the disc, so this is really more of a group record rather than a David Crosby solo outing. Breathless and Eyes Too Blue are excellent. Breathless is a little overproduced, but the harmonies and jazz melodies are amazing. Eyes Too Blue is just piano, drums, harmonica and three part harmony. Excellent. Unfortunately, the disc would have been much stronger had they left off Raymond's Jerusalem and Coyote King. Both would have fit better on a Raymond solo project. Jerusalem in its lyrics and instrumentation sound like a slicked up popular Christian tune. The lyrics are okay though. Coyote King is just goofy.

Crosby's songs, as always, are incredible. Map to Buried Treasure, Darkness, Climber, and Just Like Gravity are highlights. Raymond helped write some of these, but Crosby's execution is spot on. Map is just an awesome harmony tune as is Darkness. Climber is a classic meditative song in the vein of Tracks in the Dust as is the solo acoustic, Just Like Gravity.

Aside from a few missteps, this is a strong effort with some of the most original songs, arrangements, and execution ever! The production is a little slicker that the first CPR disc, but this is made up for with the material. Although the songs may not grab you immediately, the music keeps you coming back. So it's a grower. Finally, as always, Jeff Pevar is a workhorse. His playing is so melodic and atmospheric. His licks and riffs fit so well with these tunes. He also provides a strong bottom end to the three part harmony. Definitely 4+ stars. Hope to hear another one from these dudes before Crosby retires.

CPR, Jst Like Gravity, This is some outstanding music. I would go crazy to hear "Darkness" in concert. This band really is good, sharp, crisp and better with each listen. The first 4 songs alone are worth the price! Simply great!

I have all of CPR's cd's with the exception of live at Cuesta College and this NEW one in my humble opinion is the "BEST" "ANGEL DREAM" in and of itself is worth the price of admission.From the opening song "Map to Buried Treasure" to the closing tune "Just Like Gravity" the c.d. will take you thru a series of twist and turns emotionally as only CPR can.Another masterpiece for CPR best bob c.