If I Could Only Remember My Name : David Crosby : Review : Rolling Stone

Forgotten by rock history, and probably by most of its participants, this 1971 curio is a one-of-a-kind freak-folk apogee. It's a solo album in name only, since the Croz operates as a cosmic cruise director, bringing in pals like Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Jerry Garcia and Grace Slick. In hydroponic jams like "What Are Their Names," you can hear each guest wander into the studio, plug in, play a few licks, sing a few harmonies ("Peace is not an awful lot to ask" -- dig it!) and raid the fridge. Garcia steals the show, and the two killer tracks are the ones where he burns on guitar, playing in a dark "Wharf Rat" mood: "Song With No Words (Tree With No Leaves)," where Garcia cuts Jorma Kaukonen in a guitar duel, and "Laughing," featuring Jerry's profoundly sad pedal steel.

ROB SHEFFIELD

(Posted: Jan 10, 2007)

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Review 1 of 4

5of 5 Stars

I found this record at Pet Sounds record store in Newcastle Upon Tyne in about 1987. It was part of an extensive CSN&Y rack and during my 4 year degree I bought up the lot. IOICRMN remains the best possible intro. to the music of CSN&Y. It meanders and swoops, the vocals are fantastic, the lyrics 'stoned' and listening to it always takes me back to my student days and the sheer fun of finding new and beautiful music.
LONG LIVE DAVID AND FRIENDS.

Jan 20, 2007 07:53:22

Review 2 of 4

5of 5 Stars

Very nearly the definitive West Coast sound album and one of my favourites. OK, Crosby is not by any means the greatest songwriter and musician of all time, far from it, but "Laughing" is without doubt the ultimate West Coast song and should be considering the line up including Garcia, Joni and Phil Lesh. "Cowboy Movie" though lyrically weak has the most wonderful guitar sound and the guitar interplay between Garcia and Neil Young on "What are their names" is superb.

A great album, and definitely not forgotten - if only Crosby were young again.

Jan 17, 2007 02:13:15

Review 3 of 4

4of 5 Stars

There was a time while I was in high-school that I was really
into hanging out in the pottery studio in my spare time,
throwing pots and listening to old LPs on the stereo. There
were three or four big milk crates full of records in there, but
more often than not, i would shuffle between Dylan's Desire,
CSNY's Deja Vu and this record by David Crosby. Like other
records of the time that Crosby and Co. were making, the
songs take on a life of their own. I recommend this record to
anyone who has enjoyed the music that was coming from the
San Francisco area, and the West Coast in general, in the late
60's and early 70's. It's nothing radically different, but in a
way, that's what makes it so good.

Jan 12, 2007 08:29:14

Review 4 of 4

5of 5 Stars

It's truly the ultimate hippy album, and a feast for the ears.
It's all about the mood, even beyond the music itself. It may
be a time capsule, but no one can touch the style the masters
of the day laid out before us. Peace and love forever!

Jan 11, 2007 18:41:16

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