The timing of this golden-era demos set is perfect, as CSN's shadow looms large over a new school of harmony-drunk indie rockers. Unfortunately, the song selection of this set of 1968-71 rarities is a mixed bag, and most are solo performances lacking the group's magical interplay. One exception is a sprightly "Marrakesh Express," with David Crosby and Graham Nash melding voices. Several familiar tunes get skeletal readings, including Nash's piano-only "Chicago," Stephen Stills' "Love the One You're With" and a slow-mo "Déjà Vu," with Crosby scatting on the outro. Nice footnotes all, but no substitute for the originals.

“1999”

“I don’t consider myself a great poet,” Prince told Rolling Stone. “I just know I’m here to say what’s on my mind.” In the case of the apocalyptic party anthem “1999,” he was worried about then-president Ronald Reagan’s foreign policies. The song’s melody is based on a riff borrowed from the Mamas and Papas’ “Monday, Monday,” and Prince originally envisioned the first verse with three-part harmony but later split the vocals between himself and members of the Revolution. Because Warner Bros., with whom Prince was locked in a contractual battle, owned the original’s masters, Prince rerecorded the song and appropriately released that version in 1999.