Search - Crosby Stills Nash & Young :: 4 Way Street (Jewel Box)

Underappreciated Live Album

Hi Fi Guy | South Carolina USA | 02/09/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sure this album sounds dated. Sure we can look back on it and laugh at how funny some Stephen Still's improvisations are at the end of 49 Bye-Byes/America's Children are. Sure Suite: Judy Blue Eyes is 33 seconds long. Sure this is an amazing live album. I wasn't around back in '71 and never got a chance to see these guys live, so this is as close as it gets for me. This has to be one of my all time favorite live albums. It is one of those albums that you can put on for background music and find yourself doing nothing but sitting and listening. Every time I listen, I can hear something new in either the songs or the chatter between tracks. Chicago and 49 Bye-Byes/America's Children are full of emotion and rank as two of my favorite tracks on the album. And I don't even have the CD; just the open reel tape."

Four Additional Tracks Make This A "Must Buy"

Uncle_Audio | Redwood City, CA USA | 07/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I wore this recording out when I purchased the original vinyl release in the 1970's. This recording showcases four wonderful acoustic and electric musicians at the zenith of their careers. This is the original "unplugged" release as most of the four vinyl sides of the double album went. Crosby's "Triad and Lee Shore," illustrate the power of acoustic and vocal harmonies that are rarely achieved in the studio, let alone live! Some of the guitar tuning's used for his music remind one of Joni Mitchell's every changing guitar tuning structure. David Crosby was also very responsible for the launch of Joni Mitchells career, so I'm sure she benefited greatly at this former Byrd's band members guitar work. Neil Young's "On The Way Home," "Cowgirl in The Sand," and "Don't Let it Bring You Down," tracks are some of finest examples of his haunting vocal prowess and his mysterious lyrical weave. I also look to this album as one of the best examples of the sound quality and capability of Martin acoustic guitars in the 70's. This sound quality and tonality have never been equaled in many musician's opinions. Stephen Stills is a powerful guitarist and lyricist and should never be missed when he can be heard on acoustic guitar. There are not many musicians who represent this type of virtuosity on the guitar like Stephen Stills. In addition to his bonus track on the release, "Black Queen," I recommend giving a listen to the two other Stills solo releases which feature many tracks with him on acoustic guitar. Graham Nash provides an excellent lilting vocal counterpoint to a lot of Crosby's music. This really explains a lot of their subsequent Crosby/Nash collaboration work after the individuals of the band went off on their own directions. From time to time we have the benefit of CSN&Y reunion, but it just doesn't sound this good anymore no matter where we witness a modern performance."