Crosby, Stills & Nash

Really pleasant folk rock. It kind of drops off in the second half but I had a really nice time listening to this.

I really like this!

chill

4/8

Good stuff!

4.0 (40:47, 10 tracks, debut, 1969) Folk rock (genre defining "California Sound") Debut studio album by the folk-rock supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN). It is the only release by the band prior to adding Neil Young to their lineup. Two Top 40 singles, "Marrakesh Express" and "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes", which peaked respectively at No. 28 and No. 21 The album itself peaked at No. 6 on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart. It has been certified platinum four times by the RIAA for sales of 4 million. Often thought of as a protest album due to their later work and just coming out in 1969 with a folk album it was a hippie anthem album. Playing at Woodstock cemented the concept; however, the only song that is really a political song is the 9th track on the album (Long Time Gone) about the Kennedy’s (also MLK) assassination. Most of the album is a break up album (specifically Stills breakup with Judy Colins but others, this is really Stills album.) Probably my favorite of the CSN (&Y) albums. Their harmonizing is just without reproach. The Eagles, Jackson Browne and many others thought of as the 'singer-songwriters' of the 70's owe this album as the genre defining path. 1) "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" by the folk-rock supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash. The song was written by Stephen Stills during the painful end of his two-year romantic relationship with Judy Collins the American folk singer-songwriter Judy Collins, who was known for her striking blue eyes. Stills wrote the song as a "long narrative poem" across several notebooks to process his heartbreak. He even played the song for Collins in a hotel room in an attempt to win her back; though they both cried, she famously told him, "it’s not winning me back". The title is a homophonic pun: "Suite": Refers to the song's musical structure, which is a classical-style suite consisting of four distinct sections with different tempos and moods. "Sweet": A phonetic nod to "Sweet Judy Blue Eyes," Stills' affectionate nickname for Collins. The lyrics contain specific details about their relationship, including references to Collins' therapy sessions with lines like "Will you come see me Thursdays and Saturdays?" The famous ending of the song features Spanish lyrics about Cuba, which Stills added to provide a lively finish to the long track. He chose Spanish because the lyrics had little to do with Collins and he didn't want them to be easily understood. Today, Collins and Stills remain close friends and have even toured and recorded an album together, Everybody Knows, in 2017. (Do-do-do-do-do, do, do, do-do-do-do) 2) "Marrakesh Express" is a song by Crosby, Stills & Nash that literally recounts a train journey taken by Graham Nash in 1966. Nash wrote the song while still a member of The Hollies, but the band rejected it for not being "commercial enough," which contributed to his decision to leave and join Crosby and Stills. The song is a factual retelling of Nash’s experience traveling from Casablanca to Marrakesh. Nash began the journey in a first-class carriage, which he described as "completely boring" and filled with "ladies with blue hair". Seeking adventure, he moved to the third-class carriages, where he found a much more vibrant scene. The lyrics reflect exactly what he saw: people lighting fires to cook, and "ducks and pigs and chickens" being transported on the train. The nonsensical words at the beginning—"Whoopa, hey mesa, hooba huffa..."—are what Nash calls "Crosby gibberish." They were originally recorded for the song "Guinnevere" but were moved to the start of "Marrakesh Express" during production. The song’s instrumentation, particularly the buoyant drumming by Jim Gordon and Stephen Stills' guitar riffs, was designed to mimic the steady rhythm and "rush" of a train on tracks. The song became a definitive soundtrack for the late 1960s counterculture, capturing the "hippy stopover" vibe of Western artists seeking spiritual discovery in exotic locations like Morocco. 3) “Guinnevere" is widely considered David Crosby's finest composition and serves as a complex composite portrait of three significant women in his life. The song uses the Arthurian legend of Queen Guinevere as a metaphor for an unattainable and mysterious figure. Crosby famously stated in interviews that the song is about "three women that I loved": Christine Hinton: Crosby's longtime girlfriend who was tragically killed in a car accident in 1969. The line "Why can't she see me?" is often interpreted as a reference to her ghost or his loss. Joni Mitchell: The influential folk singer whom Crosby dated and mentored in the late 1960s. Crosby consistently refused to identify the third muse. While Crosby officially cited the three women above, fans and historians often point to specific lyrics that align with Nancy Ross, an artist who lived with Crosby in the mid-1960s: "Drew Pentagrams": Ross was known to draw pentagrams on the walls of their home. "Underneath an Orange Tree": This may refer to Ross leaving Crosby for Gram Parsons, who was the grandson of a Florida citrus magnate. The song is written from the perspective of a man (often compared to Lancelot) watching "Guinnevere" from afar, emphasizing themes of unrequited love and longing. The song is famous for its haunting, "ghostly" atmosphere, achieved through; unique Tuning of very unusual guitar tuning (EBDGAD) that created a "shimmering" jazz-influenced sound; and strange time signatures, the song shifts between various time signatures, contributing to its transcendental, dreamlike quality. The jazz legend Miles Davis was so impressed by the track that he recorded a 20-minute cover of it, though Crosby was initially "snooty" about the version because it was almost unrecognizable from his original melody. 4) "You Don't Have to Cry" reflects the emotional weight of a crumbling relationship and the different ways people process heartbreak. Written by Stephen Stills, the song is widely believed to be about his strained relationship with singer Judy Collins. The lyrics highlight the contrast between two people after a split. Stills describes having "time to cry" and mourn, while he suggests his partner is too occupied with her busy, career-focused life to fully feel the loss. The narrator pities the woman for being out of touch with her feelings, yet the song's numerous questions suggest he is also projecting his own pain and hoping she feels the same regret he does. The song is legendary for being the birth of the supergroup. In July 1968, at a party at Joni Mitchell's house, David Crosby and Stephen Stills sang "You Don't Have to Cry" as a duo. After hearing them, Graham Nash asked them to sing it again. By the third time, Nash had improvised a third-part harmony. The vocal chemistry was so immediate and "magical" that Nash decided to leave his band, The Hollies, to form CSN. The studio version features Stills playing the majority of the instruments, including guitar, bass, and percussion. While Stills wrote it, the track is defined by the tight, three-part vocal harmonies between Crosby, Stills, and Nash. 5) "Pre-Road Downs describes the anxiety and sadness experienced before leaving for a concert tour. Written by Graham Nash, the song was inspired by two simultaneous realizations he had while at Joni Mitchell's house: He realized that because both he and Mitchell had successful careers, they would inevitably have to spend long periods apart as they each went "on the road" to tour. Having spent years touring with The Hollies, Nash knew that "the road" could be a deeply lonely and exhausting place, leading to a sense of dread or "the downs" before a trip even began. David Crosby famously described the track as the moment Nash realized he could write "fierce rock and roll" rather than just the polite pop-rock associated with his previous band. The song is notable for its psychedelic production, including backwards guitar parts recorded by Stephen Stills. Crosby later admitted he was "freaked out" by the complexity of how Stills matched the backwards tracks to the forward ones. Nash actually composed the song's heavy guitar riff after being inspired by the unique, nearly-unison guitar tuning Stills used for "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes". The lyrics contrast the affection of a relationship ("And you have me 'cause you love me too") with the gritty realities of travel, such as "hotels and midnight coaches". It also contains a nod to the counterculture of the time with the line, "Be sure to hide the roaches.” 6) "Wooden Ships" is a post-apocalyptic science fiction story set in the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust. Co-written by David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Paul Kantner (of Jefferson Airplane) in 1968, the song depicts survivors from opposing sides of a "silly war" meeting and choosing to sail away from a dying civilization to start anew. These are literal wooden vessels chosen because, unlike metal, wood does not retain radioactivity from nuclear fallout. "Silver People on the Shoreline": David Crosby confirmed these are people in radiation suits searching for uncontaminated food and survivors. "Purple Berries": These represent iodine pills, which survivors take to protect their thyroids from radioactive iodine-131. The "Other Side": The lyrics describe a meeting between two people from opposing warring factions. Instead of fighting, they share food and realize their mutual humanity, symbolized by the line "If you smile at me, I will understand". A Rare Collaboration: This was the only co-written track on the CSN debut album. Paul Kantner was originally uncredited due to legal disputes with Jefferson Airplane's management, though he later received full credit. The song was composed on Crosby’s actual 59-foot wooden schooner, the Mayan, while docked in Florida. Both Crosby, Stills & Nash and Jefferson Airplane recorded the song in 1969. Jefferson Airplane's version is often considered darker, featuring an unsung prelude in the liner notes that explicitly details the radioactive setting. 7)"Lady of the Island" is a tender folk ballad written by Graham Nash. The song is a sensual and intimate portrait of a romantic encounter, focusing on themes of deep connection, physical attraction, and the desire to remain in a blissful moment. While Nash has often been private about specific muses, the song is widely attributed to his relationship with fellow folk legend Joni Mitchell. Nash wrote it during the late 1960s when he was deeply in love with her and living in her home in Laurel Canyon. Nash originally brought this song to his previous band, The Hollies, but they rejected it because it was "too personal" and intimate for their pop-oriented sound. This rejection was one of the factors that led Nash to leave The Hollies and form CSN. The lyrics describe two nude lovers sharing a quiet, undisturbed moment by a fire. It uses evocative imagery like "the brownness of your body in the fire glow" and "beams of sunshine light the stage" to convey a sense of peaceful afterglow. Unlike the driving energy of "Marrakesh Express" or the complex movements of "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes," this track is noted for its extreme delicacy and directness. On the debut album, it is a duet featuring only Nash and David Crosby, showcasing the "ghostly" and ethereal vocal blend that became a hallmark of the group’s sound. It is often cited as the definitive example of Nash's "blissful romantic" songwriting style, contrasting with his later, more politically charged works. 8) "Helplessly Hoping" is a wordplay-heavy folk song by Stephen Stills that describes the agonizing state of a relationship in limbo. Like "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes," it was written about his deteriorating romance with Judy Collins. The lyrics depict two people who are physically close but emotionally drifting. They are "helplessly hoping" for a spark that is no longer there, caught in a cycle of waiting for the other to make a move. Stills used a unique poetic device where each verse centers on a specific letter (H, G, W, L): "Helplessly hoping her harlequin hovers..." "Gasping at glimpses... gentle girl..." "Watching the waiting... wordless watched..." "They are one person, they are two alone, they are three together, they are for each other." This is often interpreted as the math of a relationship: Two individuals (two alone) who try to become a single unit (one person), but ultimately create a third, separate entity—the relationship itself (three together). The "CSN" Sound: This track is considered the quintessential example of the group’s three-part harmony. It is performed almost entirely a cappella-style with only a single acoustic guitar, allowing the blend of Crosby, Stills, and Nash's voices to take center stage. Stills' Guitar Work: The intricate fingerpicking is a hallmark of Stills’ style, providing a rhythmic "heartbeat" to the otherwise airy vocal arrangement. 9) "Long Time Gone" is a politically charged protest anthem written by David Crosby in response to the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy on June 5, 1968. It is one of the most direct social commentaries on the group's 1969 debut album. Crosby was moved to write the song the very night Robert Kennedy was shot. He felt a deep sense of anger and despair, as he viewed Kennedy as a leader who hadn't been "bought and sold" by special interests, unlike other politicians of the era. While penned for Bobby Kennedy, Crosby later noted it also boiled over from his unresolved grief regarding the assassination of John F. Kennedy five years earlier. He has also cited the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a significant emotional catalyst for the track. The lyrics serve as an indictment of the "madness" of the late 1960s, specifically political violence and a government he felt was out of touch with the people. The core message—"Speak out, you got to speak out against the madness"—encourages individual expression and dissent against corruption. Despite its dark origins, the song contains a message of resilience with the line, "But you know the darkest hour is always, always just before the dawn". Critic Robert Christgau famously noted that Crosby’s "wailing vocal" on this track saved the album from being too "controlled," providing a raw, emotional center to the record. The song famously played during the opening sequence of the 1970 Woodstock film, setting the tone for the documentary as workers prepared the stage for the festival. CSN performed a high-energy version of the song on the This is Tom Jones TV show in 1969, featuring a rare vocal collaboration with Jones himself 10) "49 Bye-Byes" is the closing track of the group's 1969 debut album. Like several other songs on the record, it was written by Stephen Stills about the painful dissolution of his relationship with Judy Collins. The "49" refers to the number of the hotel room where Stills was staying when he wrote the song (some sources also suggest it refers to the number of times he tried to call her or the number of days since they had seen each other). The song serves as a final, weary farewell. While "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" was an epic plea to stay together, "49 Bye-Byes" represents the resignation and "shaking the blues" that come after the hope is gone. The line "49 reasons all in a row, all of them lies" suggests a tally of broken promises or excuses that led to the breakup. The song is famous for its transition into a brief, uncredited version of another Stills song, "America's Children" (which he originally wrote for his previous band, Buffalo Springfield). This creates a "medley" feel that ends the album on a high-energy, soulful note. Stills played almost every instrument on the track, including the organ, which gives the song a gospel-soul influence that contrasts with the folk-heavy tracks earlier on the album. As the final track, it mirrors the beginning of the album; the record starts with the start of a breakup ("Suite") and ends with the finality of moving on ("Bye-Byes"). The drifter Stills is referring to is American actor Stacy Keach. “This was one of those times where everything clicked. I don't want to sound cosmic or anything, but it's almost like there was a greater force at work, and I don't just mean Ahmet Ertegun. The degree to which this all fell together was so astoundingly high you almost feel someone -- or something -- wanted to happen. Granted, all three of us were talented guys, but we also knew our combination was somehow blessed. The three of us have different voices. We have different accents. We have different attitudes. We are very different people. But the thing that happens when you put those three voices together is just amazing. As soon as we started singing together, we knew we were into some brand-new, wonderful terra incognita. There was some magic there, and you can hear that magic all over our first album,” David Crosby, the liner notes of Crosby, Stills & Nash Stills dominated the recording of the album. Crosby and Nash played guitar on their own songs, while drummer Dallas Taylor played on most tracks (session drummer Jim Gordon performed in his stead on "Marrakesh Express"). Stills played all the bass, organ, and lead guitar parts, as well as acoustic guitar on his own songs. "The other guys won't be offended when I say that one was my baby, and I kind of had the tracks in my head," Stills said. Even with this dominance, Stills does not appear on the tracks "Guinnevere" and "Lady of the Island", both featuring Crosby and Nash only and a precursor to their partnership on record and stage during the 1970s. David Crosby bristled over the plan for "Long Time Gone" as he thought he should at least play rhythm guitar on his own song. Stills convinced him to go home for a while and when he returned Crosby was won over by the music track that Stills and Taylor had recorded. In a more recent interview, Crosby contradicted his earlier statement, stating that he had played guitar on the track. He is so credited in the liner notes to the 1991 box set. The group performed songs from the album at the Woodstock festival in August 1969. In late 1969 the group appeared with Neil Young on the Tom Jones' TV show and performed "Long Time Gone" with Tom Jones sharing vocals. "In many ways, the album helped define the California sound," Matt Friedlander wrote. "The songs blended folk, country and rock influences and featured poetic lyrics about relationships and then-current social and political issues." Crosby, Stills & Nash combined the musicians' voices and other strengths; David Crosby's social commentary and atmospheric mood pieces, Stephen Stills' diverse musical skills and capacity to fold folk and country elements subtly into complex rock structures, and Graham Nash's radio-friendly pop melodies. The album features some of their best-known songs, including "Helplessly Hoping", "Long Time Gone", "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes", and "Wooden Ships", a collaboration between Crosby and Stills as well as Paul Kantner of Jefferson Airplane. The album cover CSN appears (left to right Nash, Stills, and Crosby, the inverse of the roll call in the album's title.) The photo was taken by their friend and photographer Henry Diltz before they came up with a name for the group. They found an abandoned house with an old, battered sofa outside that they thought would be a perfect fit for their image. A few days later the band decided on the name "Crosby, Stills, and Nash". To prevent confusion, they went back to the house a day or so later to re-shoot the cover in the correct order, but when they got there they found the house had been demolished. Dallas Taylor appears looking through the window of the door on the rear of the sleeve. In the expanded edition, however, he is absent. The original vinyl LP was released in a gatefold sleeve that depicted the band members in large fur parkas with a sunset in the background on the gatefold. That photo and the cover picture were shot in Big Bear, California). A long folded page inside displayed the album credits, lyrics, track listing, and a quasi-psychedelic pencil drawing. In a contemporary review, Rolling Stone critic Barry Franklin called Crosby, Stills & Nash "an eminently playable record" and "especially satisfying work", finding the songwriting and vocal harmonies particularly exceptional. In a retrospective review, Jason Ankeny of AllMusic believed some of the songs' themes "haven't dated well" but "the harmonies are absolutely timeless, and the best material remains rock-solid". In 2003, Rolling Stone ranked Crosby, Stills & Nash number 259 of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, re-ranked 262nd in 2012. #83 in Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums 3rd Edition (2000). Jefferson Airplane guitarist Paul Kantner was finally credited as co-composer of "Wooden Ships" on the expanded edition reissue, something long acknowledged on his group's version of the song from their Volunteers album, released the same year. David Crosby singing an excerpt of "Come On in My Kitchen" between "Long Time Gone" and "49 Bye-Byes" was left off the 2006 expanded reissue at the request of the late Robert Johnson's estate. The album proved very influential on many levels to the dominant popular music scene in America for much of the 1970s. The success of the album generated respect for the group within the industry and galvanized interest in signing similar acts, many of whom came under management and representation by the CSN team of Elliot Roberts and David Geffen. Strong sales, combined with the group's emphasis on personal confession in its writing, paved the way for the success of the singer-songwriter movement of the early 1970s. Their use of personal events in their material without resorting to subterfuge, their talents in vocal harmony, their cultivation of painstaking studio craft, as well as the Laurel Canyon ethos that surrounded the group and their associates, established an aesthetic for a number of acts that came to define the "California sound" of the ensuing decade, including Eagles, Jackson Browne, post-1974 Fleetwood Mac, and others. In the album's liner notes, Crosby is quoted by music critic David Wild, saying: "For whatever reasons, I think you get very few records like that [in] life, which you can put on 20 years later and they still hold up. To this day, that first album comes on, and you don't want to take it off or skip a tune. That's the ultimate test. You just want to let it run. You might even want to turn it up." In 1999, the album Crosby, Stills & Nash was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Track listing 1. "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" Stephen Stills 7:25 2. "Marrakesh Express" Graham Nash 2:39 3. "Guinnevere" David Crosby Crosby with Nash 4:40 4. "You Don't Have to Cry" Stills with Crosby & Nash 2:45 5. "Pre-Road Downs" Nash 2:56 6. "Wooden Ships" Crosby Paul Kantner Stills 5:29 7. "Lady of the Island" Nash 2:39 8. "Helplessly Hoping" Stills with Crosby & Nash 2:41 9. "Long Time Gone" Crosby 4:17 10. "49 Bye-Byes" Stills Stills 5:16 Personnel David Crosby – vocals; guitar on "Guinnevere"; rhythm guitar on "Wooden Ships" and "Long Time Gone" Stephen Stills – vocals, lead guitar, organ, bass, percussion all tracks except "Guinnevere" and "Lady of the Island" Graham Nash – vocals; rhythm guitar on "Marrakesh Express" and "Pre-Road Downs"; acoustic guitar on "Lady of the Island" Additional personnel Dallas Taylor – drums on "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes," "Pre-Road Downs," "Wooden Ships," "Long Time Gone," and "49 Bye-Byes" Jim Gordon – drums on "Marrakesh Express" Cass Elliot – backing vocals on "Pre-Road Downs" Crosby, Stills & Nash – producer Bill Halverson – engineer David Geffen – direction

Nice to listen through the full album. Enjoy their harmonies, a few really good songs

This was good. Something I'd love if it was more recent. I'll have to remember to come back to this. 3.5

Judy Blue Eyes. What else can I say. This song is essential. The rest of the album is ok. It never quite reaches the heights of the initial suite, but CSN really accomplished something special with that first track. They reached artistic immortality. Without anywhere higher to go, their lives and careers steadily careened into chaos and disaster. Oops.

Nice, mellow and full of harmonies. It’s quite peaceful to listen to. After a while I’m starting to think that the vocal harmonies through most of the verses can be a little too much. They are nice, but I think it kills the dynamics at times. It’s a nice album, though. Favourites: Hoplessly Hoping, Suite: Judy Blue Eyes

4.5

Super nice sound I like.

Definitely one for summer. One of those albums that makes me wish I was an American guy with a big truck that I drive down dusty roads with nothing around for miles.

Good folksy music.

chill album

a really easy lsiten, not fully my vibe but i can appreciate it

Yayyyy

Some very very good songs with some good enough songs. Added quite a few to my list.

Debut Judy blue eyes Long time gone

My favorite kind of harmony. I can hear the influence of CS&N on Fleat Foxes, Avetts, etc. An album to return to.

Wonderful harmony in these songs. Delivers numerous long lasting hits. A true classic.

Calm music for unsettled times. Like when it was released.

I had always heard about them but never really did. Really liked them and will listen to some more in the future.

Very good album

Lush album

Really really liked this. Long Time Gone just a real home run

Super chill, nice easy listen.

I listened to this album as I ventured out to get gas and groceries on behalf of my partner, resting at home in recovery from a new sternum tattoo. Crosby, Stills & Nash is a group I have long been curious about; their reputation as an acclaimed folk supergroup has always intrigued me, and I patiently awaited the day when they would show up on this list. On a first listen to this album, however, while I understand their appeal and foud many songs to be beautiful and/or catchy, the album as a whole fell slightly short of the buildup I gave it. Part of this response was likely on account of how I first chose to listen to the album: on headphones, some of the mixing is very strange, with certain instruments panned entirely to one side and the vocals being buried in the mix. This choice really threw me off on that first go-around, but on a second run on speakers instead, I felt better able to appreciate the music. This was closer to the reaction I figured I would have, as someone who has been slowly discovering my love for folk music more and more over the course of this list: these three guys sure can write some songs! Having three different songwriters and primary vocalists across the project helps keep up the variety of the album while still feeling unified, on account of these three all having authorial voices in line with one another; one side effect of this list is my newfound tendency to look into the writers of individual songs on albums and seeing how many different voices can come together to craft a cohesive piece of art. Aside from just the lyricism, the vocals are also constantly engaging in their choices of unique melodies with gorgeous harmonies to match, and unsurprisingly, the guitar work throughout this album floats between gentle and driving depending on the mood of the moment, always keeping your attention. While a handful of songs just don't quite resonate with me (which often seemed to be some of those written by Stills or Cosby), that is not to knock their quality, as the entire album is a strong statement of purpose from a trio of acclaimed and talented folk songwriters. Highlights: Marrakesh Express, Guinnevere, You Don't Have To Cry, Pre-Road Downs, Lady of the Island, Helplessly Hoping

Listened to this album throughout my entire childhood and high school life. My parents loved this album, so I have a lot of fond memories of songs like Suite Judy Blue Eyes and Marrakesh Express. But my current favorite song on this album is Helplessly Hoping, because I'm a sucker for a lover song and a love song about a family.

Просто хороший альбом, но не мой стиль

Some really beautiful songs mixed in with some late 60s pseudo-psych filler. I am a huge CSN/Y fan, and I found myself enjoying this record upon close re-listening, but my mind also kept drifting to how much more I looked Deja Vu. 3.75/5.

Vraiment soothing comme album. Je pense que je pourrais facilement m'endormir avec la plupart des tunes (in a good way) et faire de jolis roupillons comme un gros bébé de 170lbs. À part avec Marrakesh Express, plus le genre chanson à écouter si t'es pas certain que tu veux te unalive, juste pour te donner le petit push de plus nécessaire. - Chanson préférée : Helplessy hoping (que je connaissais déjà) ou Wooden ships (découverte) - Mentions spéciales : Guinnevere (comme se réveiller d'un rêve après le cauchemar qu'est Marrakech Express) et Lady of the Island (bcz i love me some coquette male voices apparemment) - David Crosby fucks

Chill asf muy bueno

Sunday morning listening

Good songs, good times Favorites: Suite: Judy Blue Eyes Guinnivere Pre-Road Downs Helplessly Hoping

wat een goeie eigenlijk

Better than Simon & Garfunkel

My first super group, and likely not the last. This delivered exactly what I expected from a CSN album: slower, quieter introspective songs, powerful tri-vocal ballads, and a fusion of rock and folk. Great record!

A great record!

Nie jest to najbardziej oryginalna płyta, kojarzy się trochę z S&G ale to nic złego. Ma przyjemny rytm, dobry wokal i jest taka… lekka. 6.5/10 równane w górę

Judy Blue Eyes, Marrakesh Express, Wooden Ships, some absolutely killer tracks on here. A little inconsistent to hit five stars, but not far off.

Mostly boring first half, but a really solid second half. Favorite Songs: "Guinnevere", "Wooden Ships", "Helplessly Hoping", "Long Time Gone" Least Favorite Song: "Marrakesh Express" Low 4.

And this is from '69? 😏

Incredible harmonies and awesome, feel-good songs, with the Helplessly Hoping, which is crushingly beautiful yet sad. Good morning listen.

Warm california sound with lovely harmonies that stand up. Some of these have aged a bit meh but where they are good they remain timeless. Sometimes it feels almost too controlled and smooth, but when it bursts out in real feeling it's great. It's good at lacadaiscal lamenting. This is pretty much platonic ideal of soft rock

4/5

classic

I love the vocal harmonies, just not really my favorite style of music. I can see why it's a classic and I still hear Suite, Judy Blue Eyes on the radio.

Great songwriting and harmonies, and stands the test of tine

SUITE JUDY BLUE EYES WOO

Beautiful harmonies. I enjoyed this one more than I thought I would. Liked the guitars as well.

Enjoyable listen with nice harmonies and instrumentals. Likes: Judy blue eyes, pre-road downs, wooden ships, long time gone

Soothing hippie sounds. A classic.

The precursor to Bridge Over Troubled Water, half of Paul Simon's solo work, a huge chunk of country- and folk-rock... and at the same time, a culmination of the very best of the mid-to-late 60s. The sound is so warm, easy to digest, and yet surprisingly complicated when you listen closely. And the group can do both peppy/energetic and soft ballad! This is an incredibly important quality to any great artist, and one that I think is heavily underappreciated with bands in the punk and metal genres. The people want to see a variety showcase (those who don't are just a little bit crazy). In this regard, CS&N hit the nail on the head. Straightforward pop songs (Pre-Road Downs, Wooden Ships, 49 Bye-Byes) contrast with more balladesque ones (Guinnevere, Lady of the Island, Helplessly Hoping) and allow for a nice "up-and-down" album journey. The Judy Blue Eyes suite is home to several equally great sections and some truly astounding vocal interactions between the three blokes. There's a slow build-up (with some rock screaming partway through), culminating in the euphoric "doo-doo-doo" harmonies at the end. Pre-Road Downs is instantly notable for its reversed guitar, which is arguably pulled off better than in any other 60s song. (No, not even the Beatles made a reversed guitar as melodically great as this.) I had never heard Helplessly Hoping before this – even though it's the supergroup's biggest hit – so it felt like discovering a hidden gem of the 60s. That acoustic guitar in the background is delicately pretty and complements the vocals nicely. My main criticism is that CS&M don't take any musical risks. They're a lot like CCR in that regard: in fact, I would argue that CS&M is CCR's "less swampy" counterpart. This era of music saw some seriously innovative competition. The absolute best of 1969 also had notably better production than this (see: Abbey Road, Tommy, Let It Bleed, In The Court Of The Crimson King, LZII...). 4/5 Key tracks: Suite: Judy Blue Eyes, Wooden Ships, Long Time Gone

I nice set of folky songs nicely sung. I don't miss Young at all. His voice is too distinctive to integrate into the vocal harmonies of the other guys. Only dud on here is '49 Bye Byes', which just seems like afterthought filler.

As much as I hate ‘Marrakesh Express’ this is otherwise a strong album. Some really nice harmonies in it supported by what sounds like deceivingly intricate guitar work. Particularly liked ‘you don’t have to cry’ which could have been extended beyond the short song it was.

An absolute classic. Rare to see vocal talent that matches instrumental talent but CS&N delivers. From the joy of “Judy Blue Eyes” to the haunting melancholy of “Helplessly Hoping” these guys have it figured out

Just good old fashioned rock and roll. They seem so effortless together, like these songs just made themselves

So good..... but Marrakesh Express kills the vibe for me

Some notable standards, the harmonies are great, but they do kind of grow long in one sitting.

Rart album, god musik

Elsker den plade - nuttet og Simon og Garfunkel agtig- bare en klassiker

Echoes of Simon and Garfunkel but much more upbeat - very pleasant

Day 171 I’m an absolute sucker for harmonies, some lovely stuff here. Highlights Judy Blue Eyes Pre Road Down Hopelessly Hoping

Good one here, even enough to overcome my aversion to the boomer sound that it was such a big part of. These Canucks can jam, and I'm digging the vibe, man. Far out.

This is a very chill album. The harmonies are lovely.

Theres already a few songs on this album i love and listen to a lot. But never listened to this album through ! Glad to be reminded, i really love some of these songs

I like a lot of this more like 3.5

I first heard this album back in about 2005. But I don't remember much after the first track. Not because I didn't like it, quite the opposite. I just found it almost impossible to move past "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes". I'd play it on repeat. I just couldn't get enough of the harmonies, the upbeat folky melodies, and the way it unfolds into four songs, stitched together into one. It remains one of my favourite songs to this day, and I still struggle to get past it, to give the rest of the album a chance. Crosby, Stills & Nash are all about the harmonies. Their voices blend together so seamlessly that you can't pick out individual voices until they intentionally break apart. When you couple those harmonies with their acoustic folk melodies, it's the stuff of legend. The opening track obviously falls into this category, as do the likes of "You Don't Have to Cry", "Do for the Others" or "Teach Your Children". "Helplessly Hoping" is another, but deserves special mention. It's genuinely one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. That acoustic guitar riff is so gorgeous, and it's allowed to drift in for a moment before the vocal harmonies fill the air. The lyrics paint a picture of the juxtaposition of emotions experienced during a breakup in a really honest and accurate way. It's pure poetry. Knowing that Neil Young would soon join the band inevitably colours how this album is heard in hindsight. This feels calmer than "Déjà Vu", which is both a positive and a negative at times. This is a long album, and while there aren't any bad moments here, there are chunks of time when it's just fine, not amazing. Saying that, overall this is still a great album, and I'm glad I managed to get past the opening song. Even if it was just to rediscover what a masterpiece "Helplessly Hoping" is, it was worth it.

Very pleasant

I liked it! So chill.

More like on the 3,5 spectrum, but closer to 4, I think. It's not quite my cup of tea but the harmonies are beautiful.

4.5

ok - so this passed me by until now. First listen. Lovely vocal harmonies, that warm late 60s recording sound. Can see why some call it a link between Simon/Garfunkel and Beatles....its clearly from the same period, but it stands up on its own as well. And as a long time hater of Neil Young's voice, I'm quite pleased to have found this first! I like this....you can almost picture an album spinning with this on in the background. Will return to this one. 4

Mildly familiar and maybe only know a few songs so glad to get my teeth into the debut and see how it lands. Also didn’t know about Neil Young being involved - confused. It’s more than pleasant enough, obviously lovely harmonies and tunes, but as I have often said, nothing that just grabs me and makes me sit up. Nice to recognise the end of ‘Suite…’ (is that Alvin and the chipmunks?!) and nice solos on ‘Wooden Ships’ Grabbing me a bit more, the more I listen actually and feeling a bit more layered and varied. And some more familiar songs and hooks too. Might need a second listen to decide…

My standard thought is that CSNY>CSN. I love Neil Young. To be honest given how much NY input there is on Déjà vu, this album is always gonna have problems competing with it. The thing is, I hate the Nash songs on Déjà vu and today I actually enjoyed his songs on here. Marrakesh Express does have a quirkiness that makes it stick out from the rest of the album, but not as much as his two massive sore thumbs on Déjà vu. As a result, this album is more rounded for me. It would be unfair not to mention how totally on fire Crosby and Stills are. They deliver top tier definitive folk rock, material that brings out the best in all 3 voices. I have been impressed going back to this today for the first time in quite a while, so while I would still like to be awarding it 3.5, I will round up instead of down.

Oh man, more CSN in some combination has appeared, oh boy! That's what I was thinking going into this. I was pleasantly surprised though. I liked a lot on this album. There are a couple stinkers (going from "Judy Blue Eyes" into "Marrakesh Express" is an audio crime and someone should be held accountable), but overall I liked this album. Standouts on this listen are "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" - guitar and percussion is fantastic - "Pre-Road Downs" and "Helplessly Hoping." In the end I think this album is a solid 4. I thought parts were a little slower, but nothing really dragged and all the songs were pretty pleasant and engaging in some way. Some classics. I get it.

A debut that plays like a greatest-hits album. Not until the Cars’ first in 1978 would they be matched.

Sounded like a point in-between the Beatles and steely Dan, generally a quite nice listen

a very beautiful body of work, which felt nostalgical and i believe would be perfect for a roadtrip. my favourite track was probably "pre-road downs"

Had some potential for a 5 star but its a great album, 4 is probably right.

These guys were awesome before they added one of the best songwriters the world has ever known

Pretty sure I've already reviewed this one once before. Solid album, this was classic rock when I was a kid. "Suite Judy Blue Eyes" (132M listens), "Marrakesh Express" (10M), "Teach Your Children" (110M), "Wooden Ships"(33M), "Long Time Coming" (18M) & "Helplessly Helping" (192M), are classics and super popular still tracks. There's a good amount of filler tracks, folky stuff that just doesn't hold up well today. Three huge names, great harmonies, timeless song, solid 3.5 due to the filler songs, but I'll round up.

Finde gut

Good shit. It’s a classic for a reason. Heard some news songs and liked them all. Could listen to on repeat easily. Not much to say… great voices, great lyrics, all well done. Made me feel comfy and warm. Standout song: 49 Bye-Byes 01-13-2026

Cosmic dancer banger: Rob has joined

Grata surpresa e recomendação. Roquezinho gostoso de escutar

Da hora

Gostei bastante

I really enjoyed listening to the harmony in the album

schön

awwwww this was Pre-everything 😭😭😭

+1 point for mom saying dad would be proud of me

Released May 1969. Only 2 Top 40 tracks, but some of the best songs of the era. Only 40 minutes long, CSN's debut album. The harmonies these guys created have stood the test of time. Suite: Judy Blue Eyes easily one of the greatest folk rock songs of all time. Funny reading along with the lyrics and seeing all the words I've made up over the years. Never heard a cover of this song, as I don't think anyone anywhere could pull it off. Marrakesh Express an evocative song, great imagery and harmony. Guinnevere good but slightly corny. You Don't Have to Cry is fantastic, great harmony and guitar interplay. Pre Road Downs another classic (Elevated, you're elated...) with backward guitar solo across the whole track and hippie dippy lyrics. Wooden Ships another hippie classic. Say can I have some of your purple berries? Yes I've been eating them... Helplessly Hoping one of my favorite songs of all times. The soft guitar, the harmonies, the alterations. Perfection. Long Time Gone classic hippie anthem, great electric sound. More great harmony and great lyrics on 49 Bye Byes. Cool story about CSN related to the Laurel Canyon music scene. All these artists would get together (Joni Mitchell, Mamas and the Papas, Crosby, Stills, Nash, Jackson Browne, and more) and play music and party. And when these three guys started playing and singing together, everyone's jaws were on the floor. ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAME ARTISTS had their hair blown back by Crosby, Stills, and Nash... Great-ish album. I could say that the 3 best songs in this album stack up with the best 3 from any other album out there. Not every song great though, so I'm giving it 4 stars...

Nice, easy listening. If Simon and Garfunkel had a third it’d be hard to distinguish between. Look forward to more variations of the line up

Muy Beatles- coded, me gustaron mucho algunas canciones

I'm pretty sure my parents had this on vinyl, and I've most likely heard this entire thing before, though it's been a long time since then. I should probably listen to this more often.

Those jeans need to be heavy-weight

Aside from the song with no words, I liked it! Nothing too exciting, but nice chill songs

The harmonies, are like one person with three heads and perfect pitch.

built my furniture listening to this, it was a vibe.

Such a fun hippie vibe, I wish I got this in the summer

Maybe not my fav CSN but really great band and album.

I’ll admit, I read the wikipedia page too much, read too many quotes of the band members saying how great this album was and how well it holds up - and I have the notion of ‘have some humility!’ but. They’re right! It’s good! It does hold up! I like the harmonies, I like that it’s a bit of a decrescendo of an album. I feel like they get a bit looser with the format as they go on as well, which is interesting to me (song with no words, last song with talking at the beginning and end). Cohesive, think I will keep it around.

Very charming folk record with no duds.

7/10 Best songs: Suite: Judy Blue Eyes, You Don't Have to Cry, 49 Bye-Byes I actually really like a lot about this album - the harmonies are excellent and each song has its own identity. However, it does get a bit dull after a while; I'd be interested in seeing what the band would do with a slightly faster tempo. Good stuff though - I'll look into more music by them later.

Not bad! Really chill

It's uhhhh it's nice and chill yeah mhm haha yeah you can just put that there are you just writing down everything I say - just like a transcript? Yeah as long as you enjoy this music it's your Spotify and everything do you even do - you even remember what I've just said?

Really good album. Shows their combined creative genius and starts with a bang with the first track. Notable tracks include Judy Blue Eyes, Guinnevere, Wooden Ships, Helplessly Hoping, Long Time Gone.

Actual rating: 4.5/5

Harmonies galore. I do prefer the slightly more upbeat numbers, and its a shame there wasn't more Nash-penned stuff here. Fave tracks: Suite: Judy Blue Eyes, Pre-Road Downs, Long Time Gone

Not every song is super memorable, but they’re all pleasant. Put me in mind of my parents. 3.5ish but rounding up because it’s Christmas.

Honestly, I was dreading this, but it was actually really chill and pleasant. Would listen again.

Good stuff

I like these hippies

I think this was the first vinyl LP I bought (1998 from the sticker), from the $1 bin of course :). One of rock's early supergroups, sounding like Simon & Garfunkel, just more 60s...man. The vocals, when singing together is great adding a layer of complexity to songs that are simple in their acoustic accompaniment. The strongest songs here written by Stills. 4

I really like this album. I already knew a few of the songs and the ones I already knew are still my favourites but it was nice to listen to the rest of the album. I enjoy the style a lot and would definitely listen again. Fav song: Helplessly Hoping Least fav: Song with No Words

Peeled many many potatoes while this album was on and my dad was singing along- not sure Crosby, Stills, Nash and Yates is quite as good as the original. Or if either is as good as Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Favourite song: Helplessly Hoping (or Guinnevere) Least: Song with No Words

actually really liked this

Has some absolute classic CSN tracks. Beautiful arrangements and vocals.

Almost a 3 but they ATE with Wooden Ships and Long Time Gone!!

That was a good listen. Definitely something I'd like to revisit.

Pretty good album

girl put on your cowboy boots, miniskirt and your brown leather belt were going on a roadtrip down american roads, stopping in local bars and forests AN AMAZING summer album, these songs are so good and well put together. overall it sound so good and all the songs match eachother I HIGHLY RECCOMENDDDD

It's pretty nice album Will I listen to again: 35%

Easy Sunday morning listening

Feeds my seasonal depression, still good though

Phenomenal. On my radar but first time through the album.

I actually own this one too, but haven't really listened to it that much. It's a great album, and there's some amazing guitar work by Stephen Stills.

Yeah, this rocked.

Super pleasant, very familiar, almost every song is a hit in some form. And yet, I couldn't get myself to 5. Maybe it's just too familiar, but it never amazes, it just always pleases.

Excellent

A very good folk album with some classic tracks. It's uneven, but deserves to be on this list.

Some nice stuff, pretty cool and lovely

Enjoyable (for a Friday)

Really good stuff. A few songs I’ve spent a decent amount of time with but many I had not, Guinevere in particular was stunning. Harmonies are as great here as they came to be known for.

Overall liked this nice melodies and guitar work. Faves: Wooden Ships/You Don’t Have To Cry Least Fave: Marrakesh Express

I own this on vinyl and love it.

Way of the road buddy

Åh, dom är sååååå lena. Det är som Gotländsk/Uppländsk/Åländsk lokalproducerad dunderhonung i mina små små Mange-öron. Enda är väl att det kanske blir lite långtråkigt. Förresten så tror jag faktiskt det var någon som försökte beckna lite kush till mig där i början av Marrakesh Express. Obs köpte inget 😬

Extremely pleasant

This was an outstanding listen. Like what even is Guinevere?? Captivating stuff. These songs are all catchy as hell while a lot of interesting stuff is going on instrumentally. One of those records I want to look for and score from a used section.

Not my usual vibe, but banger album

Excellent album - some great tracks - good lyrics and poignancy in the lesser known tracks

Great album

Great album. 4.5 stars

David Crosby, you’re my hero. Oh, you like my music? You’re a musician??? Liked it more than I expected. Suite Judy Blue Eyes is fantastic, and the album wasn’t overly folksy. Glad I saved this one for a snowy Sunday morning with a hot cup of coffee, a book, and a fat green bowl. ☕️📖😶‍🌫️

It's damn good. Hits still hold up. Harmonies are incredible. Just a few weak points that keep it at 4.5 for me.

hell yes let’s get mellow in this bitch

I like my music like I like my chicken: bland & unseasoned

So good, a few songs in the middle slow it down but just great

except for Marrakesh ( too twee) it's great .

Love CSN. Late 60s hippie rock. The whole album feels really communal, like you're sitting around a campfire listening to them play

Un folk rock bastante cálido y muy digerible, pero con una escencia y personalidad propia, me gusto mucho Favs: You Don't Have To Cry, Helplessly Hoping, Long Time Gone

Some of the best harmonies ever. Guitar work works. Listened before? N Saved some tracks? N Favorite tracks? Judy Blue Eyes, Wooden Ships, Long Time Gone ⭐⭐⭐⭐: Liked it a lot, just couldn't love some tracks

Nice little album to listen to. I think I agree with someone else that they were at their best with Neil Young there too but definitely nothing to sneeze at with just the this lineup. Lot of familiar songs here.

I mean, a true classic. Listened several times.

Pleasant listening.

Classic harmony and sound. A few classic radio songs. A sound for the times.

I had not listened to this album before. Solid 60s vibes.

Great harmonies strong songwriting.

Chemistry on point, harmonies on point, a big ole yes for me on this album

8/10

lekker luisteren, mooie zang

The ending of Suite Judy Blue Eyes - is superb. I am already very familiar with it but not entirely sure where I heard it as had not connected it was CS&N. Rest of the album does not quite capture the joyous exuberance of this track - but its very pleasant and I enjoyed it a lot as its firmly in dad wheelhouse.

The Stills-penned 'Suite: Judy Blue Eyes' has folk harmonies to die for, a great ruminative melody, building into a bit of Mexicana at the end. At seven glorious minutes, it's not a second to long. Crosby's 'Guinnevere' (sic) is Paul Simonesque, leaning heavily into English folk (and just as good as Donovan's excellent homonymic track). I find Nash's songwriting can be a little light. 'Marrakesh Express' for example is a twee ditty and one I've never understood being so well-regarded; the cheeky English pop sensibility feels out of place next to some of the more sophisticated folk tracks here. The big appeal of the album is their near-perfect harmonies. They're the Laurel Canyon Beach Boys. The songwriting is quite delineated between the three members, and yet it all hangs together as one band. Skirting with MoR at times, the skill of the guitar lines and basslines alongside those three part vocals make most of this leap of the record. It falls just shy of the big one.

8, very solid

The harmonies really hit

I’ve always enjoyed Crosby, Stills & Nash — their music is easy-listening folk with beautiful harmonies and thoughtful lyrics. That said, I’ve always preferred their later work with the addition of Neil Young, which adds a bit more edge and depth. This debut album, though, is solid from start to finish. It might not have one standout track that completely blows you away, but every song is strong and well-crafted. It’s a smooth, cohesive listen that captures the late ’60s folk-rock sound perfectly. Favourite track: “49 Bye-Byes” — brilliant songwriting and vocals. Least favourite track: I genuinely enjoyed every song on the album. Album artwork: A fairly standard cover, but it suits the relaxed tone of the record.

Kind of blended into the scenery though I did like it

Faves: "Suite Judy Blue Eyes", "Guinnevere", "Pre-Road Downs", "Wooden Ships" Not so faves: "Lady Of The Island", "Helplessly Hoping" - both felt like unfinished ideas for songs. Overall, a solid album.

Three's a company, four's a crowd. So much better without Young tagging along.

Imagine how great the band would be if they added a fourth member 🤔 Crosby, Stills and Nash still gives one of the best folk rock performances of all time. Listening to this on the a breezy evening day is transcendental; the vibes of this album is simply immaculate.

First quarter was meh, rest was good

Pre: great album, top notch 3 part harmony Post: still great

Ein bärtiger Engelschor...so toll. Ein Album, ein Vibe. Ausser vielleicht «Marrakesh Express»...aber bester Soundtrack, um auf einem Pony durch die Prärie zu galoppieren! NICE! Honorable Mentions: Song with no words...love it. Und Everybodys Talkin' find ich auch mega schön!

Another very solid folk rock album from the CSNY guys (though minus the Y this time)!

Never skipping, versatile feels-good vibe, buttery, silky, sing-song harmonies to warm the heart and soul, self titled, easy listening :) would listen through again, would reach for it on occasion, not a listen on repeat type jawn for me doe

Crosby Stills and Nash more like Crosby Stills and This Smacks hoooooly what an album what a vibe what a time. Their ability to harmonize is unmatched.

Harmonies ever present. Was enjoyable and certainly influential. Some moments were a little grating. Wooden Ships might be the model for all yacht rock. Long Island Radio / 5

I'm older than everybody on this cover art and that's pretty fucked up. And I think the title is in the Twin Peaks font. CSN(and sometimes Y) are interesting because they're a supergroup that is arguably more popular than its predecessor bands. Like, I'd definitely call them more popular than Buffalo Springfield or the Hollies and probably the Byrds. David Crosby and Graham Nash are about as good at harmonizing and melody-crafting as anyone this side of Lennon/McCartney. And Stephen Stills is the second best songwriter/guitarist from Buffalo Springfield who subsequently joined this band. Neil Young is his own beast but he’s not here yet. One time I saw Graham Nash at the Lexington Opera House and he introduced every song by telling the story of what inspired it and like half the time the story was just the lyrics of the song. I don't even think it was intentional but it was really funny and for that reason, I will always love him. This album is a breeze to get through and there's always something pleasant or at least interesting going on. Vocal layers, lyrical complexity, the token “after a nuclear war” song that every single folk adjacent 60s singer had in the arsenal. Probably best enjoyed in an environment other than “in my office at work” or “in my kitchen cooking dinner” but that’s what I had to work with. If I'm being nitpicky, and I am being nitpicky because there's not a goddamn thing you can do about it, I'd prefer this to be structured a little differently. "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" is so fantastic that there's nowhere to go but down from there, so I wish it came way later in the album after some build, where it can be the "centerpiece" that it is. As it stands, I think the centerpiece honor goes to "Helplessly Hoping," which is admittedly their most streamed song on Spotify so maybe they’re better at this than I am. If I'm being extra nitpicky, and I am being extra nitpicky, because who's going to stop me? Kellen? I hate that part in "Wooden Ships" where they're talking about the purple berries. It’s annoying. But like this is still a no-skips album, no matter what order it's in and no matter how many berry-based diatribes there are. So, I don't know. Something I strongly believe is that you can never fully appreciate anything on a first listen, even if you immediately fall in love with it, and this is a good example of that. I’ve had the album on repeat all day, really since last night, and it’s grown on me more each time. I was pretty well locked in on a 3 on first listen then a 4 then up to a 5 then back down to a 4 (because of the berries. It’s always about the berries). I’m gonna give it the softest possible 5. Like when I took my driver’s license test those many years ago and the lady made a point of telling me I only passed by 1 point. Hoping for Neil Young soon

They don’t put 3-4 fellers in front of mics spaced inches apart no more. So real and wholesome, each voice just distinct enough to pick them out in each delicious, harmonious chord. Modern pop production has made layering vocals too obsessively perfect and lifeless compared to these buckos. A few years back, we were making our way from the Grand Canyon to northern Arizona with a “desert road trip” playlist on shuffle. As the cacti and red-orange cliffs, passed by was first time I’d really listened to (or appreciated) CSN, America, and their other contemporaries. There’s a lot of music that greatly benefits from your context and location, this album being one of them. Definitely put this on during your next road trip!

One of those important albums from the late 60’s by an important version of a late 60’s band. Almost perfect.

A favorite album of mine back in high school and college days. Saw them live a few times in the 80's (most memorable when David Crosby was so high he was barely able to perform and spent most of the show off stage-he was in jail a few months later). My main complaint then, as it was again listening today, is Graham Nash. I always saw him as the weak link-don't love his voice and his songs are just a bit too annoying for me. But this album has Suite:Judy Blue Eyes, Wooden Ships, Helplessly Hoping, and Long Time Gone which are some amazing songs IMO. When I saw this was the album of the day I assumed it would be a five, but damn Graham Nash had to screw that up.

I'm a sucker for harmony. And CSN

Une jolie découverte, que je pourrais réécouter avec plaisir!

Those 3 dudes are awesome and always sound powerful together.

Classic, but not their best. I'd listen to any song on this album on a day that ends in Y.

Car

This is such a great folk rock album! I found this really enjoyable, it makes for easy listening

Never properly listened to these guys but really enjoyed it. Very consistent and relaxly catchy songs. Would definitely listen to this again

Folk rock med et snert af psykedelisk. Guitaren, hamornika og vokalen gav det lidt væk, men det fik mig stadig til at overveje hvor jeg ikke tænkte det var country rock? i guess man bare langsomt at begyndte at blive god til at adskille det, selvom jeg har en ide om det ligger tæt op af hinanden. Jeg synes det er et virkelig godt album, men jeg synes bare ikke rigtig at jeg oplever det gør noget helt eksklusivt for mig. Der er nogle gang nogle skift i tempoerne og lyden som gør det spændende og lidt anderledes. Sådan lidt intimt. Jeg kan godt bare lide og vandre rundt til sådan en slags musik og bare lave lidt hyggeting. feks at skrive det her tekststykke. Eller tegne, eller skriver dagbog. Handle ind osv. Så jo det fik mig vel et eller andet sted hen og fik mig til at føle noget. Det skaber i hvert fald en stemning og et billede i hovedet man kan drømme sig hen i. Men der er bare stadig noget ved det, som gør at jeg ikke synes det er sådan mega specielt. men fuck det, det får 4 alligevel.

Consistent and beautiful

Know the name but never listened. Slaps. Reminds me a lot of the Paul Simon I like.

As an enjoyer of The Byrds and Buffalo Springfield, I've heard this album plenty before and it never disappoints. There's just something about the sound that brings me back to more care free times. Even without the sentiment, I think this is a great listen by talented musicians.

4/8

Song after song on this thing hit. The iconic vocal harmonies, the dated but warm production. Classic

Chill Middle American Music. Country

g o o d

Nunca entendí qué hacía el insoportable de Neil Young con su voz angustiosa cantando con estos señores.

Beautiful harmonies and a nice, instantly recognisable 1970's vibe. A bit reminiscent of Simon and Garfunkel, just a it weaker in the song-writing department, but with a bit more oomph (which is not that hard). I quite enjoy this but it doesn't move me, it's more background music for me. I'll give it a generous 4.

I could relax and listen to these beautiful vocal harmonies all day and not tire of them. Wonderful folk rock debut. Favorite track: Helplessly Hoping

I love folk rock and I love harmony, and this album has both. The harmonies are absolutely gorgeous, definitely the highlight of their sound. I think that the song instrumentals can be a bit too quiet, though. The songwriting is all great. I never really listened to very much CSN before, but this album definitely has got me interested, which means that it also works really well as a debut. 4/5

CSN-Y. Like if Beatles made an album without John Lennon. Still Great.

This is some certified soft rock! Didn‘t know it could get this groovy. One of the albums where I liked the bonus songs as well

Pretty cool

Yeah some 60s rock is always nice and chill

top

Enjoyable harmonies and a few great songs. Lags a bit in the middle.

I did not expect to like this. This record is a warm blanket. I see myself sitting in front of a crackling fireplace, reading a book, drinking a cup of coffee, ... <<enter cliche here>>. 4/5

(Dwight Schrute voice) And they do, your parents, love you very much.

добро и уют, как будто приехала к семье. wooden ships, lady of the island, everybody's talking окутали меня теплом

Csn rocks

really been fucking with crosby stills and nash recently and this album was really good to listen to. 9/10

A nice album when the sun is shining. Perfect for relaxing and let it run in the background. I really liked it.

Good 60s folk rock.

Solid 60's hippy tracks. Suite Judy Blue Eyes and Wooden Ships are two particular favorites. Crazy how these guys all ended up hating each other.

No young

Final thoughts tonight: Crosby, Stills & Nash’s 1969 debut. It’s one of those albums that somehow makes me nostalgic for a time I wasn’t even alive. That’s the strange trick of music—you put on headphones, cue up Guinnevere, and suddenly you’re in the same room they were recording in. You can hear the air. It’s actual time travel. Suite: Judy Blue Eyes kicks it all off as a mini-epic, Wooden Ships sails you into a different world, Helplessly Hoping is fragile and eternal, and Long Time Gone feels like it could still be blasting out of any protest rally today. These songs were already near perfect, but when CSN took them on the road, they grew even bigger. By the time we got 4 Way Street, they weren’t just songs anymore, they were untouchable works of art. Not a bad debut, huh?

Very cool album. Diversity among songs. Folk plus? Rock folk with some studio effects but not overkill.

I enjoyed this album. Cool California sound with great harmonies and killer guitar licks.

Det är de stämningsfulla melodierna och de fina stämmorna som jag tycker om, men det blir också väl tillrättalagt. När Neil Young med sin röst ansluter får vi också sältan.

Sweet, late 60s original hippy vibes. Easy to listen to, but nothing really stands out for me on this. I feel they have their best work very much ahead at this point!

Listening to the remastered version and the completely isolated instruments in stereo is disconcerting.

Yeah, I liked that. It was very 60s but very gentle and nice, reminded me of Simon and Garfunkel. I dunno if I would listen to much more of them but it was a nice album. "Helplessly Hoping" I liked and it reminded me of the Byrds a bit (not too sure why) and then I looked it up and of course Crosby was in the Byrds. Songs I knew: Everybody's Talking

Loved the harmony on this album.

Great vibes. Never heard of them, but really liked their style.

Enjoyable listen! Love the vocal harmonies of these three across the whole thing. Guinnevere is such a beautiful haunting track, one of their best. 3.5 bumped to 4

I’ll admit I judged this unfairly before listening, actually really enjoyed

Better than I thought it was going to be. I was never a huge fan of the singles that I'd hear now and then, but listening to the entire album as an album was great.

Supergroups are a dime a dozen. Most don't offer much beyond a bit of novelty and some name recognition to help boost sales. A handful can really create something special and that's certainly the case with Crosby, Stills & Nash. Their debut brought their three distinct voices together in perfect harmony, and was very influential in setting the musical standards of the 70s. While The Byrds had already experimented with merging country, folk, and psychedelic rock, CSN really hit their stride here, creating a new sound for California. Personally I think they improved greatly by including Neil Young on their next album. But this debut was doubtless a great leap forward nonetheless.

Crosby, Stills, & Nash is a classic late-60s/early-70s band that has had some serious staying power and for good reason. Their music is incredible chill and, especially with their more political songs, still very relevant to today's world. In my opinion, only when they added Young and become CSNY did they truly eclipse what they were able to do as CSN.

230/1089 - I don't really get why Folk music is called Folk music. From my perspective as a Classical musician who's learning about "normal-people-human-music" (and having a lot of fun with this list!), I thought folk music was music passed down through traditions and cultures, usually vocal with accesably singable melodies like Greensleeves or Clementine. I learned later that what I'm thinking of is "traditional folk/classical folk," which is different from modern folk music but also doesn't seem to have any set in stone characteristics. Idk, genres are kinda weird to me as a concept. Anyways, this album had a pretty good sound but could benefit from variation. Lots of three part harmonies but not a lot of counter melodies or solos to change things up. Missed opportunities.

Great folk rock album, this baby hums all the way through. Definitely worth a listen if you're new to CSN/CSNY.

Really fun folk album to listen to. Something about their harmonization is really captivating.

I've hear Deja Vu a million times, but have somehow never actually listened to this album. Interesting hearing some very familiar songs, and some different versions of songs I already know.

Relaxing, bluesy, much more enjoyable than I anticipated.

Uma vibe meio bitus

Essential folk rock that still holds up.

8 / 10

like, listen again

Patient zero for the EZ-Mellow-Adult-Soft-Rock future of music. CS&N and later &Y were lightning in a bottle in terms of lyric, music, and harmony and their egos wouldn't allow that. Their brief time together brought us more great solo music also represented here, but this first album is chock full of hits and inspiration. 4/5

A full extra star for Helplessly Hoping

oh baby dem harmonies ❤️ there's a wee guitar harmonic in You Don't Have To Cry that tickles my brain, and the vocal harmonies in Helplessly Hoping are next level. Beaut album

Some really lovely songs in there

Lovely harmony

David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash were all established singer-songwriters in their respective rock groups before they came together, realized they all shared good vocal chemistry, and went on to form their own folk rock supergroup. I understand they would later bring Neil Young into the fold, but for the time being, this was Crosby, Stills, & Nash for their self-titled debut. If there's one song I immediately recognized from continued radio airplay, it was the opening "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes", such a pleasantly sprawling set of musical sections that elevated the subject matter of a breakup between Stills and his former girlfriend Judy Collins. As for the rest of the record, it boasts a rather pleasant-sounding folk-rock sound, with the expected vocal harmonies and bouncing guitar rollicks. It's rather evident that there is a certain degree of sophistication in the songcraft and production to bring about these popping melodies early on. Sure, at least half of the songs are about the various relationship breakups the band members endured up to this point, which can come off a tad single-minded. Thankfully, there are a few swerves in the lyrics that were appreciated, such as the vivid imagery of Nash's train ride on "Marrakesh Express", and especially David Crosby's penned songs that take the darker turns, like the apocalyptic scenery of "Wooden Ships" or the capturing of the counterculture clash on "Long Time Gone". At the end of the day, this was a solid debut record from one of the most revered supergroups that walked the earth. It's funny how such partnerships can work and endure.

Crosby, Stills & Nash’s debut brings together three songwriters into a Laurel Canyon supergroup, and the result is one of the defining folk-rock albums of the late ’60s. Their intricate vocal harmonies set a new standard, and the songwriting ranges from intimate ballads to richly textured folk anthems. At its core is 𝘚𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘦: 𝘑𝘶𝘥𝘺 𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘌𝘺𝘦𝘴 — a folk song in suite form that borders on prog-folk, ambitious yet deeply melodic. Warm, intimate, and beautifully crafted, this album captures the essence of the era’s folk music at its most sophisticated.

I really like this album. "Judy Blue Eyes" and "Marrakesh Express" are of course the standout tracks, but the whole thing is very listenable. I love their harmonies.

Crosby, Stills & Nash are like Bron, DWade & Bosh 😮‍💨

BEST SONGS: - Wooden Ships - Do for the Others - Everybody's Talkin'

cool

Reminded me a lot of Simon and Garfunkel

Bluesy, folksy classic rock with just enough variance and changes in timber tone, and tempo to keep me engaged the whole record. The twangy guitars interspersed with clean electrics were a vibe. The vocal harmonies were a bit cheesy throughout but weren’t totally off-putting and sometimes actually did add some depth. The middle of the record was its strength, I thought. It started off a little slow and ended on a downturn, but the middle was quite good. Overall, I liked it and might revisit some of the highlights. 7-7.5/10 Standout(s): Pre-road Downs Judy Blue Eyes

Quality grandpa music with really beautiful vocal melodies

It's good but the block harmonies make all the songs sound the same. I also wish they followed Graham Nash's pop instincts a bit more as Marrakesh Express is easily the best thing on here

Love the warmth and chilled harmonies. Not convinced that adding Young made them better, just different

I know this is a good album, great production, tunes and harmonies. But the times I've listened, I always think "okay I've had enough now". 3.5

soft 4. no neil, sad. solid songs. meshes together but not a bad thing, i like the sound overall.

The self-titled album with Young at the end of it didn't do it for me; this one did. I want to like Neil Young's music so bad, but he was clearly their weakest link. Too bad they couldn't remain Crosby, Stills, and Nash. These songs are well-written with some spunk to them. P.S. I hate how they don't use the Oxford Comma. Favorite Track: "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes".

I listened to the original release (10 tracks). Most of these songs are familiar to me, since they often are played on the radio. Classic CSN (before they added Neil Young). Above average.

Shshdjdow furores Shakespeare’s thirjebrbrhgkek

Nice bluesy country album. Glad there was no young in it.

Shame they had to go and add Neil Young. I think my impression of this album is improved by the fact I'm in the US right now.

Gratament sorpresa

Muy bueno. De lo mejor del folk clásico.

Love this album. Harmonies, guitars, Woodstock vibe. Suite: Judy Blue Eyes starts it off with a 7.5 minute surprising mix of instrumental global influences. Definitely echoes of Simon and Garfunkel but I don't mind that. Long Time Gone one of my favourites on the album and so is the classic Teach Your Children

no young in the mix yet but it'll do. Those harmonies hit different. fantastic. 90/100

Some nice harmonies & nice tunes.

classic

83% Best: Suite: Judy Blue Eyes; Marrakesh Express; Wooden Ships; 49 Bye-Byes Must-Hear? Sure

Very similar to Simon and Garfunkel in some regards, actually quite a nice album to listen to.

Great stuff.

Acoutic Classic! Some songs have a terrific bass line - Judy Blue Eyes and Long Time Gone. Favorite track: Helplessly Hoping other picks: guinnevere, wooden ships

A+ harmonies, real strong start to the album

Great timing for a road trip!

Ah, this is where The Byrds’ sound ended up when they went all country.

Okay... I think we've knocked on every door in Laurel Canyon. We can go home now.

I always liked this type of folk rock. Probably because it sounds like the type of music that I would always hear whenever we would have a backyard party at our house, definitely courtesy of my father. I like how for 60’s rock standards, none of the songs really meander endlessly to fill up to five minutes. Outside of Judy, most of the songs are nice and mellow and don’t overstay their welcome. Kind of see why my dad likes them so much. Favorite track: 49 Bye-Byes Other hits: Marrakesh Express, You Don’t Have to Cry, Lady of the Island, Pre-Road Downs, Helplessly Hoping, Long Time Gone

Great debut album

Really enjoyed this - particularly the tracks Judy Blue Eyes and Helplessly Hoping

the beatles never die, it reinvents itself

3.7 2x catch up 10/28

precious

One of the most famous supergroups, and a key album of the California sound.

Just some very easy listening with some great guitar work too. Very much of its time

Probably one of the best names for an album, just gets right to the point. I like CSN as the superfans call them, especially Marrakesh Express and hopelessly helping which we’re both on this album. The rest was pretty average though

What a great album. Love the mix of rock and folk and the voices are just sublime. A very relaxed album perfect for listening too in the garden on a sunny day, which it is..

Really happy to get this album! Such a fun listen.

Suite: Judy Blue Eyes // Wooden Ships // Helplessly Hoping // Everybody’s Talkin’ // 4.5/5

Pretty solid, lots of hits

total chiller album. Perfect for sitting on a porch or a rainy car ride. I forgot about the Nilsson cover on here. It's not as good as the original (how could it be?) but it's certainly a worthy cover. The original songs are nice too! Those harmonies... Favorite track: Everybody's Talkin'

Solid

Solid, melodious, harmonious.

Giving CSN (and Y) a proper go has been a true delight of this challenge so far. Stick those vocal harmonies straight into my veins...

was so lovely! will be relistening!

I like this, not something I would come back to all the time but it's easy on the ol' ears. 7/10

Nice.

"the Beatles meets Simon and Garfunkel" it is. It's a very nice, chill album of guitars and vocal harmonies.

There are songs I like a lot, but the others I find kind of dull. 4 stars or B.