Search - Graham Nash :: Songs for Survivors

Graham Nash is back at his best

Rick Gisslen | Sweden | 11/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A classical Nash CD. His best LP/CD for thirty years !!



This CD proves how important Nash (his voice and his compositions) really is for CSN&Y. He's a superb songwriter and he dares to be melancholic and not sell his soul to trends. Some of the songs on this CD are excellent. "Chelsea Hotel", "Nothing in the world" and "Lost another one" are beautiful tunes, but there are no weak songs here.



Personally I prefer Nash in his more soft compositions and "Come with me" is a the perfect ending tune here.



And how is it possible for him to keep his voice in such a pefect shape at his age. His voice hasn't hardly changed since the early 70's ! WE're waiting for his next CD !!



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A surprisingly great Graham Nash set

Dave | United States | 01/04/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Graham Nash's fifth solo album, "Songs For Survivors", finds him still on top of his game in the new millenium. Although not released until July of 2002, the liner notes inform us that the entire album was recorded from October 2nd through October 13th of 2000. The liner notes also provide a neat bonus, informing us of what microphones were used on various instruments and vocals, as well as other equipment used.



Simply put, this is an excellent album, providing further proof that Nash is one of the all-time best at writing melodies, not to mention all his other incredible talents.



The opening track, "Dirty Little Secret", has become one of my favorite songs ever. It's a brilliantly-realized cautionary tale written by Nash and drummer Russell Kunkel. The first two verses are about the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921, and then the third brings us up to the '90s and beyond, pointing out that racism is hardly a thing of the past, and that it needs to be overcome in light of all the other overarching threats we face in our lives today. Nash delivers an empassioned, nuanced lead vocal, and the harmonies are also terrific. Plus there's an elastic acoustic bass line, great electric piano, and a spiritually soaring middle-eight. Simply put, a phenomenal recording.



And that's hardly the only great song here. "The Chelsea Hotel" is a sumptuous, beautifully sad, understated piece with superb vocal harmony added by David Crosby (musically, the song recalls "Marguerita" from the 1976 Crosby & Nash record "Whistling Down The Wire"). "Lost Another One" is a moving, brisk-tempoed pop-rocker where Nash reflects on a musician friend that he just learns has died. "Blizzard of Lies" and "Nothing In the World" (the latter of which curiously recalls the Beatles "Don't Let Me Down") each have that gentle Nash charm going for them, to excellent effect. There's an outstanding cover of Richard & Linda Thompson's "Pavanne", done up in a bone-chillingly stark arrangement. The 8+ minute "Liar's Nightmare" finds Nash doing sort of a Dylan/ Leonard Cohen hybrid--it really does hold your attention throughout, thanks to a captivating Jean Ritchie melody, crafty use of dynamics, and the somewhat baffling lyrics which keep you on the edge of your seat. The gentle and fairly-short album closing ballad "Come With Me" is touching, fitting finale to the album.



There are a couple of sugary adult contemporary ballads with "Where Love Lies Tonight" and especially the distressingly cliched, midtempo feel-good tune "I'll Be There For You", but dammit, Nash's incredible melodic skills are able to salvage even these and make them pleasant and even ear-catching.



Whether or not this is intended as a direct sequel to Nash's first album, 1971's "Songs For Beginners", "Songs For Survivors" turns out to be even more satisfying. To call "Songs For Survivors" a pleasant surprise is an understatement--this is clearly a must-have.

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