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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I think that now that I have found it, I will study it . . ., September 7, 2001
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.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just Like Gravity Soars!, June 26, 2001
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!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An album that transcends gravity, May 3, 2003
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
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