Thanks to his much-publicized personal travails, it's easy to overlook the multiple talents that originally made Crosby a star in his days with The Byrds and Crosby, Stills and Nash. This, his first solo effort, was recorded in 1971 (following Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's Deja Vu) and contains some of his most impressive vocal and songwriting work, including the haunting "Laughing," the mantra-like "Music Is Love," and the extended, impressionistic "Cowboy Movie." With guest appearances by such famous friends as Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Grace Slick, and Jerry Garcia, it's a fascinating chapter in an always-interesting career that's all too often been overshadowed by headlines. --Scott Schinder
|
