Review and Photos by Fred Kuhlman
Promoter: Danny Zelisko Presents (https://www.dannyzeliskopresents.com/ )
Venue: Celebrity Theatre (https://celebritytheatre.com/ )
Date: June 21st, 2023
Tour: Sixty Years of Songs & Stories
In the 60s there were 2 major styles of rock music emerging in the USA. One was the British Invasion: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Kinks, The Hollies, etc. The other was Surf Music/Folk Rock: The Beach Boys, The Monkees, The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, The Mamas & The Papas, Bob Dylan, etc. In 1968 a bunch of musicians were all hanging out in Laurel Canyon, California. At one of the parties, Mama Cass introduced David Crosby (The Byrds) to Steven Stills (Buffalo Springfield) and Graham Nash (The Hollies). The rest is a beautiful musical history.
Their debut album self-titled Crosby, Stills & Nash was fantastic. They introduced a harmony of voices that were spectacular and the writing was outstanding. However, there was a small snafu with the album cover. The cover showed the 3 members sitting on a couch. After they took the photo, they realized they were seated wrong based on the band’s name, seated N, S & C instead of C, S & N. So, they decided to go back and redo the photo, but discovered the house had been torn down. So, they just used the photo as is.
For their second album 4 Way Street, they added fellow Buffalo Springfield member, Neil Young. They then went on to perform at Woodstock. Since the 70s, CSN has produced a couple of albums. David Crosby and Graham Nash did a lot of touring together and did come out with a couple albums. However, a few years ago, Graham and David had a falling out. Graham has had a great solo career and produced one of my personal favorite albums, Wild Times.
I saw CSN&Y in 1974. I remember it was about 2 and ½ hour show in the blistering sun (105+) in Tempe, Arizona. Over the years I have seen CSN and each member of the band (except Neil Young) on their solo tours. I have seen Graham a number of times over the last 5 years. Each time he tells little stories about some of the songs. A number of years ago, David Crosby and Graham had a falling out. At tonight’s show Graham told us that just weeks before David’s death, they had been talking to each other and renewed their friendship. In memory of David, Graham did one of my favor combination song sets, “Critical Mass / Wind on The Water”.
The concert was divided into 2 parts with a 20 intermission for as Graham said, us old folks can go to the bathroom. They started the show with “Wasted Away” and the Hollies tune, “Bus Stop”. The concert was a mix of classic CSN songs with a few songs from Graham solo career. He even performed “A Better Life” from his new album, NOW. They ended the show with the classic “Teach Your Children” where everyone from the audience sang along. Granted the harmonies were not that great, but it was incredible hearing all those voices.
Graham was joined by longtime musical partners, Shane Fontayne on guitar and Todd Caldwell on keyboards. They also provide backing vocals that helped provide the harmonies so reminiscent of CSN.
I have always loved the music of CSN. Both the songwriting and harmonies of the band were always memorizing. In these days when every band is yelling at you or blasting away on their instruments, it is nice to just hear well written songs, sung by people with great voices. If you like music with great writing and harmonies and songs from the late 60s and early 70s, then you will love Graham’s concert. For me it brought me back to when I was a teenager and just discovering the power of music. I can highly recommend this concert. With over 2 hours of music performed by one of the greatest artists from the 60s, you can’t go wrong.
I would like to thank Graham Nash and Danny Zelisko Presents (concert promoter) for offering up a signed acoustic guitar for auction to help St. Mary’s Food Bank. The guitar went for $4200. But due to a mistake, a second person also bid the same amount which they missed. Graham was so nice; he signed another guitar for the other person. In total they raised $12000 tonight for St. Mary’s Food Bank which will be used to provide 60,000+ meals for the homeless and people in need.
Graham will be touring the rest of June & July here in the USA. Then he will be in Europe starting in August. In November he will return to the USA. You can check out Graham’s upcoming tour dates on his website.
Graham Nash’s Social Media sites:
Website: https://www.grahamnash.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialGrahamNash
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheGrahamNash
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@grahamnash
Photos by Fred Kuhlman 2023, All Rights Reserved
Graham Nash Setlist
Wasted on the Way
Bus Stop
Marrakesh Express
Find The Cost Of Freedom/Military Madness
Right Between The Eyes
Simple Man
Better Life
Immigration Man
Critical Mass / Wind on The Water
Love The One You’re With
Intermission:
Lady Of The Island
Unequal Love
Only Love
Golden Days
4+20
Cathedral
Just A Song Before I Go
Our House
Encore:
Everyday
Teach Your Children
