University of Virginia Library

Crosby, Stills, Nash, And Young's
'Deja vu': The Sound Gets Better

By Bruce Bland
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

From the cover to all of the
songs in this album, the main
impression "Deja vu" by Crosby,
Stills, Nash and Young leaves me is
one of amazement; how such a
group can create an album so much
better than their exceptional first
album. I shouldn't be surprised,
though, when I remember the
background of the personnel comprising
the group, Crosby coming
originally from the Byrds, Stills and
Young from the Buffalo Springfield,
and Nash from England's
Hollies.

The Byrds and Springfield were,
as most followers of contemporary
rock already know, leaders in
American folk, country, and hard
rock; The Hollies have been big on
the British pop scene for many
years. Each of these musicians has
brought a touch of his background
into an exceptional combination
known as Crosby, Stills, Nash, and
Young. However, I am still amazed
that any group can put out an
album with the quality and beauty
of "Deja vu."

Neil Young is the new addition
to the group and his addition is
appreciated when comparing this
album to the group's first. Though
they did not apparently need it, the
group lacked a strong lead guitar on
their first album. This lead is
provided by Young, and it seems to
add to the sound by counterbalancing
the smoothness of their
harmony.

Besides playing lead, Young's
talents include songwriting and
singing, both of which he has
already shown from his experiences
with the Springfield and his own
group, Crazy Horse.

Hot Single

In this album CSN&Y do a song
by Joni Mitchell, "Woodstock," the
first to be on one of their albums
which they have not written. This is
the easiest song to get into the first
time you listen to the album. It is
also the one which you have
probably heard on the local radio
stations as a single.

Young's addition is very noticeable
in this song, his choppy lead
breaking the smooth harmony of
the four singers. Stills sings the lead
on the song, and his high, crying
voice does more than justice for an
already exceptional effort. The
organ playing, also by Stills, gives
excellent balance to Young's guitar
in the other speaker of your stereo.

Carry On, a Stills composition,
is one of the best in an album of
great songs. From a funky start
through an a capella verse to a
Buffalo Springfield sounding song,
it is complete with beautiful harmony,
good beat, and their usually
good musicianship and instrumentation.
Teach Your Children by
Graham Nash is a very country
sounding song with an excellent
country background lead by
Young.

I really didn't believe David
Crosby could write a song of the
caliber of "Almost Cut My Hair."
This is my favorite and comes on
strongest after a few listenings at
extreme volumes. Anyone who
thinks the Temptations, etc., have
"soul" should listen to Crosby
singing on this one. The guitar work
in this song is exceptional, following
the mood of the song almost
perfectly. The double lead in the
middle and at the end of the song is
powerful and excellent. All around
this song is the most moving.

"Helpless" by Neil Young brings
back many memories of the Springfield.
The harmony, beat and
instrumentation are slow and
smooth but you will find yourself
singing this song before long.

Seen Before

"Deja vu," the title song of the
album, is typical of David Crosby's
usual style. The emphasis is on
words, and singing them like they
mean something. This is the first
song on the second side, a slow
moving side that doesn't get the
listener moving until the last song.
The theme of "Deja vu" is "we
have all been here before." The
next song on side two is "Our

House" by Graham Nash, a pretty
song but no much else can be said
about it. "4 and 20" by Stills starts
out with typical Stills guitar parts
which last throughout the song.
The only instrument in the song is
an acoustic guitar which Stills
accompanies with his singing.

"Country Girl" by Young is a
three part slow moving song which
is not particularly impressive. The
finale of the album is "Everybody I
Love You" by Stills and Young,
and it is the only song with a fast
pace on the second side. That fast
pace slows down quickly however
to end the album with beautiful
harmony and a distorted but quiet
lead in the background.

I can't say enough good things
about parts of this album, and I feel
that it should really catch on big. In
my opinion this is the best album
of the year so far, with the possible
exception of Simon and Garfunkel's
new one. It is amazing how
far recording has come since these
four started as far back as seven
years ago. The quality of recording
on this album is exceptional and
the separation is very good.

I think Joni Mitchell best
describes the group when she writes
for Stills to sing "We are starcrest,
we are golden."