To everything, there is a season.
The late David Crosby was a member of the Byrds, a great American rock 'n' roll group inspired by the Beatles to move from folkie roots to a new and transcendent style of plugged-in electric pop music. Crosby subsequently achieved greater fame with Crosby, Stills & Nash (and later Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young), joining former members of the Hollies and Buffalo Springfield to create one of the most acclaimed supergroups of the classic rock era.
As a teen in the mid to late '70s, my bourgeoning interest in '60s music led me to the Byrds and CSN. Of the two, I may have discovered CSN(Y) first, since my sister had their albums. Over time, I began to prefer (and revere) the Byrds, and my embrace of punk in the late '70s created a separation between my evolving tastes and what I perceived to be the mellower sound of CSN. They weren't necessarily mellow, of course, but they were slicker than, say, the Ramones, and somewhat earthier 'n' crunchier even in comparison to Buffalo Springfield, the Hollies, and the Byrds. I came to espouse the view that Crosby, Stills & Nash broke up three great groups to form one okay group.
I do know better now. Although I'm still way more likely to play Byrds records, I listen to CSN and sometimes Y every now and again. The level of talent on display remains impressive in any combination. For David Crosby, whether urging us to speak out against the madness in CSN's "Long Time Gone" or bemoaning his soon-to-be-solitary fate in the Byrds' "Lady Friend," his gift, his voice, and his spirit were undeniable.
Crosby had human flaws. It's said that he was difficult, it's documented that he had issues with substance abuse and troubles with the law, and one suspects he may have pissed off more than just a few folks wasted on the way. Even if that's all true, it doesn't really tarnish the splendor of the music he made.
But I believe--for right or wrong--that Crosby was aware of his own failings, and that he worked to address them. At the very least, he acknowledged them. That's the mark of someone trying to be better, trying to take flyte, trying to get back to the garden. And that's all we can ask of anyone.
To everything, there is a season. Seasons turn. Back pages turn. Eight miles high, and a long time gone. Music is love. Turn. Turn. Turn.
This is what rock 'n' roll radio sounded like on another Sunday night in Syracuse this week.
This show is available as a podcast.
This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio with Dana & Carl airs Sunday nights from 9 to Midnight Eastern, on the air in Syracuse at SPARK! WSPJ 103.3 and 93.7 FM, and via the TuneIn Radio and Radio Garden apps as Westcott Radio.
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***And NOW AVAILABLE! This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio, Volume 5!***
TIRnRR # 1166: 1/29/2023
TIRnRR FRESH SPINS! Tracks we think we ain't played before are listed in bold
THE RAMONES: Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio? (Rhino, End Of The Century)
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THE FLASHCUBES: Forget About You (unreleased)
BADFINGER: Just A Chance (Warner Brothers, Wish You Were Here)
THE BYRDS: Lady Friend (Columbia, Younger Than Yesterday)
LAURA NYRO: California Shoeshine Boys (Columbia, The First Songs)
THE TAMS: Tams Medley (Ripete, VA: The Beach Music Anthology Box Set)
BILL COWSILL: When Everybody's Here (Polydor, THE COWSILLS: The Best Of The Cowsills)
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CROSBY, STILLS & NASH: Long Time Gone (Atlantic, Crosby, Stills & Nash)
GENE VINCENT: Lotta Lovin' (Newsound 2000, Rock 'n' Roll Fugitive)
THE SYLVERS: Any Way You Want Me (Curb, Greatest Hits)
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MAJOR LANCE: Ain't No Soul (In These Old Shoes) (Epic, Everybody Loves A Good Time! The Best Of Major Lance)
THE 5TH DIMENSION: Age Of Aquarius/Let The Sun Shine In [live] (Legacy, VA: Summer Of Soul OST)
THE BYRDS: What's Happening?!?! (Columbia, Fifth Dimension)
ERMA FRANKLIN: Piece Of My Heart (Shout!, Piece Of Her Heart: The Epic And Shout Years)
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THE MONKEES: Me & Magdalena (Version 2) (Rhino, Good Times! [digital edition])
CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG: Déjà Vu (Atlantic, Déjà Vu)
BEN VAUGHN: Magdalena (Bar/None, Mono USA)
MIKE BROWNING: Blood Of Oblivion (single) ROBERT GORDON WITH LINK WRAY Red Cadillac And A Black Mustache (Private Stock, Fresh Fish Special)
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THE STONE PONEYS: Different Drum (Rhino, LINDA RONSTADT: Greatest Hits I & II)
THE RAMONES: A Real Cool Time (Sire, Halfway To Sanity)
THE PATTI SMITH GROUP: 54321/Wave (Arista, Wave)
DAVID CROSBY: Music Is Love (Atlantic, If I Could Only Remember My Name)
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THE GRIP WEEDS: I'm Free (Jem, VA: Jem Records Celebrates Pete Townshend)
McGUINN, CLARK & HILLMAN [with special guest DAVID CROSBY]: Turn! Turn! Turn! (All Access, Live At The Boarding House)
THE ASSOCIATION: Along Comes Mary (Collectors' Choice Music, And Then...Along Comes The Association)
EDDIE FLOYD: 634-5789 (Rhino, The Platinum Collection)
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THE BYRDS: Eight Miles High (Columbia, Fifth Dimension)
XTC: Respectable Street (Virgin, Upsy Daisy Assortment)
THE ENGLISH BEAT: Mirror In The Bathroom (Shout Factory, Keep The Beat)
PETER, PAUL & MARY: If I Had A Hammer (The Hammer Song) (Warner Brothers, The Best Of Peter, Paul & Mary)
IRMA THOMAS: Break-A-Way (Rhino, VA: One Kiss Can Lead To Another)
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THE HALFCUBES: I Live (unreleased)
THEE HEADCOATEES: The First Plane Home (Damaged Goods, The Kids Are All Square--This Is Hip! + Girlsville)
GRAHAM NASH & DAVID CROSBY: Carry Me (MCA, Wind On The Water)
LAURIE & THE SIGHS: Face To Face (Wounded Bird, Laurie and the Sighs)
CLIFF HILLIS: Good Morning And Goodnight (single) MICKEY & THE MILKSHAKES: Please Don't Tell My Baby (Rhino, VA: Children Of Nuggets)
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JUNIPER: Picture Of You (Confidential, She Steals Candy)
THE EVERLY BROTHERS: Wake Up Little Susie (Varese Vintage, The Complete Cadence Recordings 1957-1960)
THE CYNZ: Tell That Girl To Shut Up (Jem, single) THE PLIMSOULS: Everyday Things (Rhino, The Plimsouls...Plus)
RANDY KLAWON & JIM BONFANTI: Marlo Maybe (single) THE CRAWDADDYS: I Can Never Tell (Voxx, Crawdaddy Express)
THE BYRDS: Long Live The King (Esoteric Recordings, Byrds)
THE BEATLES: And Your Bird Can Sing (Apple, Revolver)
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CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG: Our House (Atlantic, Déjà Vu)
THE DILLARDS: Yesterday (Collectors' Choice Music, Copperfields)
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