The crowd at the P.A.C. was treated to an opening set of classic CSN favorites: Merrakesh Express, Almost Cut my Hair, Wooden Ships, Helplessly Hoping. While David, Stephen and Graham are now five years older than their last Charleston concert, their guitar skills and vocals are ageless, unchanged and sharp as ever. David Crosby's soaring vocals, Graham Nash's seamless harmonizing and Stephen Stills hard-charging guitar solos mesmerized the crowd.
Each time Stephen stepped out of the trio with his electric guitar and headed center stage, his lead guitar skills gave the crowd goosebumps. He and his guitar were one. They did everything but spontaneously combust. He played a Gretsch Electromatic hollow body, a Fender Telecaster, a Stratocaster and a small acoustic guitar. I can only describe his guitar work on the song Treetop Flyer as magical.
David Crosby treated us to a few of his new songs, accompanied by his talented son, James Raymond, a "hometown boy" who is both a gifted keyboard player and skilled songwriter. It's hard to believe that David's voice can retain its' clarity and tone after all these years. What a range he showed on Deja Vu.
Graham Nash held us all in thrall during his performance of Winchester Cathedral and his beautiful tribute song to honor his friend Robin Williams. His new song Burning for the Buddha was excellent, as well.
The Buffalo Springfield gem, For What it's Worth and CSN's Love the One You're With were huge crowd pleasers. Sung at the very end of the three hour show, CSN encouraged the crowd to get up and dance, which we did with all of our 55+ enthusiasm and youthful abandon intact. (Bet you didn't think this old girl could rock out with her cane, but I did!)
I overheard many in the crowd state that last night's concert was an experience to be checked off of their bucket lists. I would say that for me, seeing Crosby, Stills and Nash each and every time they come to Charleston owns a permanent place on my bucket list. Many thanks boys for rockin' the wheels off my bus.
