Crosby, Stills and Nash In Concert
Show Date: August 14, 2012
Venue: Verizon Theater, Grand Prairie, Texas
There are few acts that can take several generations at once and induce a group flashback to their favorite times past like Crosby, Stills and Nash.
And what a flashback it was.
From the opening of the show with Carry On/Questions to the final encore tune, Suite: Judy Blue Eyes, the entire almost three hour show was chock full (twenty-five songs) of musical memories. The multi-generational, sell-out crowd seemed to thoroughly enjoy – and sometimes sing along – with every song on the set list.
Along with the musical treasure chest of memories, the show had subtle and not so subtle riches and treats. For one, witnessing the contribution of David’s son, James, to both the musician and songwriting of the group was heartwarming on many levels. One only needs to search the internet for the story of David and James’ relationship and how it got to where it is today. It’s worth the effort of searching.
Second, the show fell on David’s 71st birthday. While the birthday was mentioned early in the first half of the show, “Happy Birthday” wasn’t sung until the group returned to the stage and was led in the song by Graham Nash. I can only imagine what it must feel like to have that song sung to you by 6,300 of your closest and dearest friends.
Other highlights of the show was great guitar work by Stephen Stills – especially blistering solos on Déjà Vu, and Blue Bird. There were newer and very moving songs like, Radio, written by James Crosby and the protest song, Almost Gone (The Ballad of Bradley Manning), in support of the soldier facing trial for the Wikileaks scandal.
The audience, at times, spontaneously sang along with the iconic trio on songs like Our House, Teach Your Children and Suite: Judy Blue Eyes. What a tremendous honor – and how flattering – it must be to have thousands of people not only know and love your music but feel compelled from deep within to sing right along with you. But such is the impact that these men have had on several generations.
It’s Boomerocity’s hope that they continue to impact us for generations to come.
