Crosby, Stills & Nash command stage in New Jersey
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Crosby, Stills & Nash, one of the most successful and influential musical groups of all time, played to a sold-out crowd at the State Theatre in New Brunswick, N.J., Tuesday, May 12. The show, which ran just shy of three hours with an intermission, coupled the trio’s recognizable hits with newer songs that fit nicely into the overall setlist. The three harmonizers have a distinct way of presenting almost five decades of songs, not in a nostalgic manner, but one that leans on continued commentary and engaged lyrical awareness.
Graham Nash sang from center stage, flanked by David Crosby and Stephen Stills. There were few sub-par moments throughout the night; instead, the group, with the help of an excellent backing band, was able to transport the audience around the world, throughout time and into the hearts of their common women and men.
From “Carry On” to Crosby’s all-encompassing vocals on “Long Time Gone,” CSN kept the songs moving along with few interruptions, although they openly thanked the crowd numerous times.
“Just a Song Before I Go” would have been a logical encore, but the tune came early in the set. “Southern Cross” was met with favor from the audience, although it was the one song Stills had difficulty recreating. His Bob Dylan cover and “Love the One You’re With” fared much better later in the evening.
“Our House,” “Deja Vu” and Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth” provided an obvious example of CSN’s variety and diversity in harmonies and lyric writing. As Crosby mentioned on stage, there are the anthems, the rock ‘n’ roll songs and the weird tunes (most of them credit to Crosby himself).
If there had to be a highlight among the three — although picking and choosing feels unfair to such a powerfully cohesive trio — it would have to be Crosby. The man can sing. The man can write. The man, this many years after his time in the Byrds, CSN and CSNY (with Neil Young), can still deliver a performance that is equal parts power and poetry. His voice has not wavered one bit, and it’s wondrous to behold, especially in a relatively intimate venue as New Brunswick’s State Theatre.
Crosby’s solo work, featured in the second set, immediately garnered respect and likely turned CSN fans on to his most recent solo album. Ditto to Nash’s “Myself at Last” and “Burning for the Buddha,” a narrative piece on the self-immolations that still occur among monks in Tibet.
Finishing the night was “Almost Cut My Hair,” “Wooden Ships” and the great, almost parable-like song that is “Teach Your Children.” There were a few notable absences, but the setlist seemed to provide the three musicians with enough time and cause to shine in the warmth of a 2015 spotlight. This tour is not a hits parade; it’s a two-way street where CSN meets fan expectations and also blows them away.
Stills still rocks on the guitar, providing a thumping current throughout the concert. Nash still sings beautifully and allows the songs to gather purpose and resonance. Crosby, sometimes simply standing with his hands in his pockets, offers a voice worthy to be heard and delivers thoughtful lyrics that envision dreamscapes and outline the societal issues that have rocked the second half of the 20th century and even today.
Crosby, Stills & Nash are back, bringing down the house, or “our house.”
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
