My review of CSN @ Chastain Park

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This post may interest only a few, but I’m “inspired” enough after this weekends concert at Chastain Park in Atlanta, Ga., to offer this critical review:

First, let me state the obvious. I’m a huge CSN fan, with or without Neil Young, and have seen them many times over the last 25 years. They are one of the greatest bands ever put together, and if for nothing else, their longevity supports that. HOWEVER……..I may have seen them for the last time after Friday’s show. There were two problems with this concert.

Number one – this was the last show of the 2003 tour, and it showed. In the past, when David Crosby was flying high, he was always the weak link (IMO) to their performance. It was hit or miss as to whether Crosby would be on or not. That is no longer the case. He is the backbone of this band, and of the three, the ONLY one that indicated that he was enjoying touring still. His voice has gotten better, and he was consistent throughout the night. Amazing what a trip to the death bed will do for you. Nash was Nash….he is the same as he was 30 years ago. But Stills……..he was absolutely terrible. He was off key (more than usual) ALL night. Un-inspired, un-motivated, and the reason I will not pay to see them again. I’m with my music, the way I am with restaurants. Bad service or food once, and I’m through and will never go back. His guitar playing was in itself superb, BUT….CSN is a trio that only clicks when all three are on. Stills can sing as he showed at times, but the effort was not there throughout the night. Harmonizing takes concentration, and with the binoculars, you can see it in the eyes. Crosby has the look, the look that says I care about what I’m doing out here. Stills did not have that look.

Number two --- This was my second trip to Chastain Park, and if I had any idea it was going to be like this, I never would have gone. Chastain Park has 2 different ways they arrange seating depending on the show. Last year I saw Yes, and they had what they call a “Rock” seating plan. Traditional rows of seating that you would find at any Amphitheatre. An excellent show, where music was the focus of the evening. I told my wife after THAT show, that this was the best place I had ever been to for an outdoor concert.

But for CSN, they decided their traditional seating arrangement would be better. In the “pit” they have linen covered tables, candles and catered meals waiting for the upper crust. You are allowed to bring in coolers and TV trays and whatever you want. All around us were TV trays with picnic baskets, Wine buckets, little cutting boards with cheese and crackers, pate…they would bring flowers and set themselves up a little snob table complete with candles. OK you say…what’s so bad about that? I’ll tell you….Those people could give a rats *** about listening to the music. They yacked their fool heads off ALL night. Me and my wife got up and moved three times to get away from the noise. Try enjoying the beautiful harmony of Guinnevere while the rude people next to you discuss the War in Iraq!

It's not only a lack of respect to the performer, but also to the honest fans (which there were very few of). I'm not sure if many people even heard Stephen's retort to Graham's remark after the 1st song, that “it looked a little like Woodstock out there” (referring the all the candles) --- which was… “at least at Woodstock, they were paying attention”. How sad that a band of this caliber were treated with a total lack of respect.