This documentary about the history and musical prowess of four music icons, David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, and Neil Young, is a feast for the heart, soul, eyes, and ears.
THIS is the film about the 1960's -70's Laurel Canyon music scene I was looking for, and so much more. It includes a retrospective of and a continued look at each member of CSNY in their individual musical incarnations before and after converging to make massve rock history together. The reminiscences of musicians, producers, insight from biographers, archival clips, and concert outstanding concert footage weave together to tell the hyper-creative history of the gifted groups, duos, and solo works of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young throughout fifty-some years.
Scorching political statements, love songs, angelic harmonies, and the revolutionary humanistic musical score they provided is laid before us fans to lap up with love as we also get a glimpse into the deep friendships and tumultuous ego clashes that went on behind the scenes. What a ride this film is!
The film includes some archieved interviews with the four stars, as well as contributions and interviews with the following people:
Rob Johnstone, Executive Producer Thomas Arnold, Narrator Barnie Hoskyns, author of Hotel California Johnny Rogan, CSNY Biographer Anthony DeCurtis, Rolling Stone Magazine Danny Kortchmar, Guitarist and Songwriter Bill Halverson, Producer CSN&Y Dallas Taylor, Drummer, CSN&Y, et al Fuzzy Samuels, Bassist, Manassas Joe Lala, Percussion & Vocals, Manassas Ron and Howard Alpert, Engineer, Manassas Chad Cromwell, Drummer Joe Vitale, Drums, CSN&Y Susie Vitale, friend of CSN&Y, wife of Joe George "Chocolate" Perry, Bass, CSN&Y Mike Finnigin, Keys & Vocals, CSN&Y
David Crosby is the first CSNY mate the film introduces. He was an outspoken and under-appreciated member of the Byrds, who was kicked out of that band only to find his own voice and discover the phenomenal Joni Mitchell singing her virtuoso songs at a club in Florida. He and Joni moved to Laurel Canyon in the Hollywood Hills in the late 60's, where David was the IT man for, (a musician's musician), a rock and roll ambassador, with connections for all.
Grahan Nash, across the pond in England, grew bored with his preppy, pop group, The Hollies. After meeting Crosby and Stills in London, he absconded to join them in harmony in the California scene.
We meet Stephen Stills and Neil Young as their mega-talents soared and fed off each other, yet clashed just as hard, in Supergroup Buffalo Springfield.
The pace of the film moves steadily through the years as these brilliant musicians come together and refuse to be labeled as a 'band' but rather as singer songwriters who bring their own personas to the music, turn into superstars, embody the hippie days of the late 60's of Laurel Canyon and Woodstock, and then move through various phases, battlling through struggles and shining through successes.
They set out to collaborate as they wished, with the freedom to pursue other partnerships and projects as well. When they were recording together, this band-of-brothers had two rules: 1. Whoever wrote a song got the final say 2. If one of them were having relationship problems with "any of the ladies," they would just cancel the session.
Stills was described as an Alpha Male who dominated the recording sessions and had a non-stop, days-long approach to recording, often playing multiple parts to genius levels of perfection - bass, organ, piano, vocals, lead guitar - giving him the moniker, "Captain Many Hands." Once, Stephen even laid down vocals for Crosby when David couldn't get it right, but he never told him. Producer Bill Halverson explains, "It was more what was in Stephen's mind. I'm just tagging along, trying not to mess it up. I didn't have a preconceived idea of where it was going at all."
Good thing he didn't mess it up!
If you're a fan of the illustrious musicians in the non-band band, this film is a must see.
THIS is the film about the 1960's -70's Laurel Canyon music scene I was looking for, and so much more. It includes a retrospective of and a continued look at each member of CSNY in their individual musical incarnations before and after converging to make massve rock history together. The reminiscences of musicians, producers, insight from biographers, archival clips, and concert outstanding concert footage weave together to tell the hyper-creative history of the gifted groups, duos, and solo works of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young throughout fifty-some years.
Scorching political statements, love songs, angelic harmonies, and the revolutionary humanistic musical score they provided is laid before us fans to lap up with love as we also get a glimpse into the deep friendships and tumultuous ego clashes that went on behind the scenes. What a ride this film is!
The film includes some archieved interviews with the four stars, as well as contributions and interviews with the following people:
Rob Johnstone, Executive Producer Thomas Arnold, Narrator Barnie Hoskyns, author of Hotel California Johnny Rogan, CSNY Biographer Anthony DeCurtis, Rolling Stone Magazine Danny Kortchmar, Guitarist and Songwriter Bill Halverson, Producer CSN&Y Dallas Taylor, Drummer, CSN&Y, et al Fuzzy Samuels, Bassist, Manassas Joe Lala, Percussion & Vocals, Manassas Ron and Howard Alpert, Engineer, Manassas Chad Cromwell, Drummer Joe Vitale, Drums, CSN&Y Susie Vitale, friend of CSN&Y, wife of Joe George "Chocolate" Perry, Bass, CSN&Y Mike Finnigin, Keys & Vocals, CSN&Y
David Crosby is the first CSNY mate the film introduces. He was an outspoken and under-appreciated member of the Byrds, who was kicked out of that band only to find his own voice and discover the phenomenal Joni Mitchell singing her virtuoso songs at a club in Florida. He and Joni moved to Laurel Canyon in the Hollywood Hills in the late 60's, where David was the IT man for, (a musician's musician), a rock and roll ambassador, with connections for all.
Grahan Nash, across the pond in England, grew bored with his preppy, pop group, The Hollies. After meeting Crosby and Stills in London, he absconded to join them in harmony in the California scene.
We meet Stephen Stills and Neil Young as their mega-talents soared and fed off each other, yet clashed just as hard, in Supergroup Buffalo Springfield.
The pace of the film moves steadily through the years as these brilliant musicians come together and refuse to be labeled as a 'band' but rather as singer songwriters who bring their own personas to the music, turn into superstars, embody the hippie days of the late 60's of Laurel Canyon and Woodstock, and then move through various phases, battlling through struggles and shining through successes.
They set out to collaborate as they wished, with the freedom to pursue other partnerships and projects as well. When they were recording together, this band-of-brothers had two rules: 1. Whoever wrote a song got the final say 2. If one of them were having relationship problems with "any of the ladies," they would just cancel the session.
Stills was described as an Alpha Male who dominated the recording sessions and had a non-stop, days-long approach to recording, often playing multiple parts to genius levels of perfection - bass, organ, piano, vocals, lead guitar - giving him the moniker, "Captain Many Hands." Once, Stephen even laid down vocals for Crosby when David couldn't get it right, but he never told him. Producer Bill Halverson explains, "It was more what was in Stephen's mind. I'm just tagging along, trying not to mess it up. I didn't have a preconceived idea of where it was going at all."
Good thing he didn't mess it up!
If you're a fan of the illustrious musicians in the non-band band, this film is a must see.
