Music review: David Crosby – 鈥楩or Free鈥�
With five solo albums released over the last seven years, you could say David Crosby is enjoying a prosperous creative stretch.
As a founding member of both the Byrds and Crosby, Stills and Nash, the legendary singer-songwriter continues to triumph over his past demons and numerous health scares, treating fans to a musical rebirth of sorts.
Collaborating once again with his son James Raymond, Crosby鈥檚 latest inspired work features 10 free-flowing arrangements showcasing his knack for writing lyrics as well as demonstrating that his golden voice is still as engaging as it was back when CSN鈥檚 first album debuted in 1969.
鈥淔or Free鈥� is an enjoyable release that possesses an easygoing Laurel Canyon vibe that speaks to successfully surviving a life journey filled with equal amounts of joy and sorrow.
鈥淩iver Rise鈥� opens the album with Crosby being joined by another iconic vocalist. Michael McDonald provides the backing vocal support as the lyrics comfortably address a feeling of being at ease in the moment as the singers declare, 鈥淟et the clock run out/Don鈥檛 care about it, not today.鈥�
Donald Fagen lends his stellar writing skills to 鈥淩odriguez for a Night,鈥� a song that sophisticatedly describes the heartbreak of losing a lover to another. The track transmits a smooth jazz styling that would fit perfectly alongside Steely Dan鈥檚 鈥淏lack Cow鈥� from 1977.
The title track gets a refresh from Crosby and Sarah Jarosz. The Joni Mitchell number was originally featured on Mitchell鈥檚 1970 鈥淟adies of the Canyon鈥� album.
Penned by Raymond, 鈥淚 Won鈥檛 Stay for Long鈥� closes the set out with a reflective tone as Crosby professes, 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know if I鈥檓 dying or about to be born.鈥�
As he quickly approaches his 80th birthday, Crosby clearly remains defiant to the idea of sitting back and retiring to his easy chair.
鈥淚 think I鈥檝e found my way,鈥� proclaims Crosby on the philosophical 鈥淚 Think I.鈥� Crosby has indeed found his way and is in the fruitful process of exploring it even further.