David Crosby's debut solo album If I Could
Only Remember My Name is a one-shot wonder of dreamy but ominous California
ambience. The songs range from brief snapshots of inspiration (the angelic
chorale-vocal showcase on "Orleans" and the a cappella closer, "I'd Swear
There Was Somebody Here") to the full-blown, rambling Western epic "Cowboy
Movie", and there are absolutely no false notes struck or missteps taken.
No one before or since has gotten as much mileage out of a wordless vocal
as Crosby does on "Tamalpais High (At About 3)" and "Song With No Words
(Tree With No Leaves)", and because the music is so relaxed, each song turns
into its own panoramic vista. Those who don't go for trippy Aquarian sentiment,
however, may be slightly put off by the obscure, cosmic storytelling of
the gorgeous "Laughing" or the ambiguous (but pointed) social questioning
of "What Are Their Names", but in actuality it is an incredibly focused
album. Even when a song as pretty as "Traction in the Rain" shimmers with
its picked guitars and autoharp, the album is coated in a distinct, persistent
menace that is impossible to shake. It is a shame that Crosby would continue
to descend throughout the remainder of the decade and the beginning of the
next into aimless drug addiction, and that he would not issue another solo
album until 18 years later. As it is, If Only I Could Only Remember My
Name is a shambolic masterpiece, meandering but transcendently so, full
of frayed threads. Not only is it among the finest splinter albums out of
the CSNY diaspora, it is one of the defining moments of hung-over spirituality
from the era.
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1.
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Music is Love
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2.
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Cowboy Movie
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3.
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Tamalpais High (at about 3)
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4.
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Laughing
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5.
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What Are Their Names
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6.
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Traction In The Rain
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7.
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Song With No Words (Tree With No Leaves)
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8.
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Orleans
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9.
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I'd Swear There Was Somebody Here
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 Customer Reviews
(4.33 Stars) 6 person(s) rated this product.
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Legendary David Crosby! posted on 08/22/2005
5 Stars
Reviewer: CSNEd
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| As with the CSN debut album in 1969, David Crosby's first solo album from 1971 is a premiere classic. Remember the year, 1971. American Musclecars on the street, David Crosby providing the early 70s sound, that still sound fresh today. Great stereo systems beg for albums like this! Every cut is the heart and soul of David Crosby! The album cover, truly represents David's love of the open water, Sun and Earth. Into the studio, with an all-star cast that included living legends such as Graham Nash, Jerry Garcia, Grace Slick, Joni Mitchell, Paul Kantner & Neil Young. Stephen Barncard engineered this album, and stated "I consider this album one of the most memorable of my career". David Crosby has released an album that has stood the test of time. I highly urge anyone to purchase this album / CD. Play it loud, play it often, cuts like "Cowboy Movie" & "I'd Swear There Was Somebody Here" will have you forever locked in a 1971 time machine! CLASSIC LP ... 10 Stars...David CROSBY!!! BUY NOW!
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Vinyl Record 
Crosby, Stills & Nash
Neil Young - Greatest Hits (2 LPs + 7" bonus)
