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LA RECENSIONE
Despite having written fundamental pages in the book of American rock with Byrds and CSNY, it is in his 1971 solo debut that David Crosby's most intense and authentic compositions are found. "If I Could Only Remember My Name" falls into the musical vein of those seminal groups, and is imbued with the poetics and spirituality of the unrepeatable Woodstock era, whose long wave was still unstoppable in those days. A collective psychedelic liturgy, a manifesto of the impulses that enveloped the Californian community, of which Crosby was the charismatic leader. Every single episode here is a jolt, starting with the ethereal "Music Is Love," yet another manifesto of the counterculture of those years. A sweet flower power ballad, embellished by Neil Young's striking strums and Graham Nash's vocals, it perfectly introduces the work's contents. Crosby captivates both when he decidedly treads the paths of the most intense country-rock, coming to touch the boundaries of a torrid rock-blues (the epic "Cowboy Movie" outshines the entire Eagles repertoire in one fell swoop), while "What Are Their Names" vivaciously revives the era's political vein, and when he gets lost in the acoustic-introspective labyrinths of the classic West Coast sound. It is precisely in these episodes that the happiest compositions of the gentle David are found. The lysergic "Tamalpais High (At About 3)," a chilling "Traction In The Rain" (if Nick Drake had been born in California, he probably would have played like this), the jazzy "Song With No Words (Tree With No Leaves)" and the poignant "I'd Swear There Was Somebody There." But it is in the famous "Laughing" that Crosby surpasses himself, offering his most touching composition, as well as the most dazzling portrayal of his generation as it entered the 70s, whose dark omens were appearing on the horizon. On an almost fairytale-like and bewildering soundscape, where Jerry Garcia's lead guitar carves out electro-acid arabesques worthy of an anthology, words like "And I thought I'd seen someone who seemed at last to know the truth/ I was mistaken/ It was only a child laughing in the sun/ Ah! In the sun" wonderfully encapsulate the essence of "If I Could Only Remember My Name."
More than just a simple collection of songs or a generational manifesto: a lesson in life.
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Summary by Bot
David Crosby's 1971 solo album 'If I Could Only Remember My Name' captures the intense poetics and spirituality of the Woodstock era. The album blends psychedelic, country-rock, and introspective acoustic sounds, featuring collaborations with notable artists like Neil Young and Graham Nash. Highlights include the powerful track 'Cowboy Movie' and the poignant 'Laughing,' which embodies the spirit of its generation. This work is more than a collection of songs—it's a lasting cultural and musical lesson.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
08 Orleans (02:01)
Orleans, Beaugency, Notre Dame du Cléry, Vendôme, Vendôme Orleans, Beaugency, Notre Dame du Cléry, Vendôme, Vendôme Orleans, Beaugency, Notre Dame du Cléry, Vendôme, Vendôme..... ps: for your knowledge these are names of french cities
David Crosby
American singer-songwriter and guitarist, founding member of the Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash (and Young). Twice inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he paired luminous harmonies with adventurous songwriting across six decades.06 Reviews
Other reviews
By mmnet
This album is one of those creations that happen all in one breath, a creation from the unconscious that generates surreal atmospheres.
The voice is used as an instrument in which the echo enthralls and fascinates the listener who... is spellbound and speechless.
