Customer Reviews

Live at The Wiltern

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

. . . but this time around, it's drug-free. (This live CD was released within a year or so of the Grateful Dead label's release of Crosby/Nash's 1971 live set, _Another Stoney Evening_.)

I've been very impressed with CPR's two studio CDs, so I finally got around to buying this one. I'm glad I did; it's terrific.

CPR (for David Crosby, Jeff Pevar, James Raymond, and also a pun: it's music for the heart) are one helluva band. Backed here by percussionist Steve di Stanislao and bassist Andrew Ford, they perform live at UCLA not long after the release of their first studio album. And _what_ a performance.

The first CD consists mostly of stuff from the first studio release, the exceptions being a slick and jazzy version of "Homeward Through the Haze" and a dreamy take on "Delta." It's well performed, but except for the expanded version of Crosby's gorgeous "Rusty and Blue," the songs sounds enough like the studio versions that it probably wouldn't be worth buying this live release for these songs alone. They do confirm that the gang didn't use any digital-electronic sleight of hand on _CPR_: they really _are_ this good. But unless you're a dedicated fan of either CPR or Crosby, you _could_ rest satisfied with the studio versions.

It's on the second CD that the training wheels really come off. First we hear a (then) new Crosby tune written for his son Django ("Dream for Him"); then the band is joined onstage by Marc Cohn (for Cohn's "Old Soldier") and Phil Collins (for "Hero," which Crosby and Collins co-wrote). Graham Nash participates in these latter two songs as well.

Then we _really_ cut loose. It's almost too bad the song titles are on the CD, because at the original concert these tunes were delivered as surprises. But it's still pretty fun to hear the audience gasp with recognition when the new arrangements of familiar tunes finally click into focus. (And Crosby is obviously chuckling with delight.)

The highlight is arguably "Deja Vu," which is expanded into a nearly thirteen-minute jazz sonata by the simple device of letting Raymond and Pevar take turns running with it. (And it serves as a sort of anthem for Crosby's trip down memory lane; this set of songs is a sort of career retrospective for him.)

But "Long Time Gone" and "Eight Miles High" burn up the air, and the band's cover of Neil Young's "Ohio" is just _blistering_. (Nash rejoins them for this one, and it sounds as though Crosby is still just as righteously PO'd about the KSU shootings as he was thirty years ago. Justifiably; me too.) And then there's an encore performance of "Almost Cut My Hair."

A great show, and I'm glad Crosby is still around letting his freak flag fly. I'm also glad he's hooked up with two such amazing musicians as Pevar and Raymond, who have plenty to bring to the party themselves. If you're a Crosby fan, you probably already have this CD -- but if you don't, grab it.

I grew up with David Crosby. (No, not literally.) But, from the Byrds to CSN/CSNY to the solo recordings to the Crosby/Nash, David's music has been like a faithful friend and has seen me through the best and the worst times of my life. When I was fortunate to get ahold of a ticket to the now-legendary Wiltern concert in '98, I felt like I was going to a college reunion. That performance and this album show one of rock's greatest artists at a very special point where maturity and artistry intersect to give us music that is both intensely personal and eternally accessible. David poured his heart out on the stage that night, and it comes through loud and clear on "Live At The Wiltern." I saw CSNY on their recent tour and had a great time, but the Wiltern concert and this album will live with me a whole lot longer than the CSNY reunion. David is still growing and he invites us on the journey. When so many rock icons of my youth are embarrassing themselves with hollow nostalgia acts, David continues to push his own envelope. It's all here in this album. Check out how even "Ohio," now thirty years out of date politically, still crackles with the anger and intensity of 1970. Listen to "That House" and see if there aren't some incredible insights about what happens when a relationship ends. From start to finish, a stunning monument to a great career that just seems to keep on going.

CPR may not be the most famous band David Crosby is associated with, but it is by far the best! I have always been a huge fan of Crosby and his work with the Byrds, CSN(and once in a while Y)and solo. CPR is simply incredible. When most artists reach this stage in their careers, they are content to coast on their history. Not Crosby! He puts together this exciting band and creates some of the best music in his long and storied musical history. Buy their studio albums. Buy this live recording. SEE THEM LIVE!

If the universe were a fair and balanced place, this music would be all over the radio, instead of all that pre-packaged pop and (c)rap that poses for creativity these days!

Couldn't believe when I saw this in the record store, bought it rightaway and ran to the car to listen. Sat in the parking lot thru disc one before starting to drive home. It's a rare occasion when a recording comes anywhere close to meeting my expectations but this one far exceeded anything that I could have imagined for it. This band is as tight a live band as i have ever heard, they sing wonderfully, their playing is flawless and there repoir with the audience is first rate. This should prove once and for all the genius of David Crosby. For CSN&Y fans move over Four Way Street you are about to be dethroned.

I must say, this is an awesome double CD! I happen to have been at this particular concert and knew then how special this night was. Tight musicianship and emotional playing is what you hear ! Crosby's voice ans stories are as good as ever. Jeff Pevar's guitar mastery is second to none. This guy can play and play oh so good ! James Raymond's piano playing is top notch as well as the songs of his that are performed on this CD. Not to mention the guest musicians that evening. Marc Cohn, Graham Nash and Phil Collins. This CD is a must have . You will cherish it forever !

. . .which I am. But you will probably want to try their first studio album, which has most of the material on this 2CD set in better-sounding and more compact form. In any case, I can unequivocally state that CPR is much superior to the new CSNY incarnation in virtually every respect (except CPR doesn't have Neil Young.) Do yourself a favor and check 'em out.

This is one of those rare live CDs that capture both the old and the new. Unlike his King Biscuit release and the other live CD Crosby released, this one is full of more passion and the playing is top notch! Someone earlier complained about the inclusion of "Ohio" in this set, but I kind of enjoyed hearing David's take on the tune. He does a funky, jazzy verson of Long Time Gone, which is also fun, and covers two classics, Deja Vu and Almost Cut My Hair, from his earlier period, along with the Byrds' Eight Miles High. Mixed in are some original CPR tunes from that uneven debut album, including the excellent Morrison. All in all, this is a great live CD!

I bought this last year from Crosby's Internet site, and it's been a regular part of my shuffle ever since (the gorgeous 9-minute "Rusty and Blue", featuring James Raymond's phenomenal jazz piano, just finished playing).

Crosby, hale and sober, is making some of the most compelling music of his career, and this set, taken from I believe a single live performance at LA's beautiful Wiltern Theatre, finds he and his outstanding band CPR at the height of their creative power. Keyboardist James Raymond and guitarist Jeff Pevar are two of the premier soloists in mainstream popular music--it is the addition of Raymond that makes this CD far better than Crosby's previous live album, "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" (which, don't get me wrong, is still a 4 1/2-star album).

The only (minor) complaint I have is: of all the songs in the old repertoire, why does David choose to perform (and record) "Ohio", which is of course not only a bit out of date, but a Neil Young song. I for one would have preferred to hear what CPR can do with "Shadow Captain" or "Everybody's Been Burned"

But with a CD this beautiful, why quibble?

To me CPR is a rebirth of the original CSN. With Crosby's voice reborn, Pevar's heartfelt guitar work and Raymond's musical talent CPR shines on their own work as well as retooled CSN classics. This is some of the best live music I've heard in years. If your a CSN fan this is a must have album. It hasn't left the tapedeck in my car for two weeks now. Go out and buy it !!!!!!!!

.....but, if you're a David Crosby fan, that really doesn't matter, does it. The live renditions of songs from the original CPR disc are excellent, and Mr. Raymond's compositions and contributions really stand out in my mind (e.g. One for every moment). "At the Edge" is one of David Crosby's most compelling compositions. The older compositions are also fine, but some on this disc came across somewhat flat and not as well-rehearsed as others....but that won't stop me from listening over and over again. "Ohio" was actually refreshing to hear again. If you want really stunning renditions of older tunes like "Deja vu" and "Almost Cut My Hair", though, you'll also have to buy (if you don't have it already) the "It's All Coming Back To Me Now" disc.