Crosby, Stills and Nash: Glastonbury - Pyramid Stage

Sunday 28th June 2009

This is a Crackerjack review of Crosby, Stills and Nash. Do you agree? Rate and review this event.

Crackerjack rating: 8 / 10.

Crosby, Stills and Nash have come full circle. Their first proper gig was in front of one million punters at Woodstock, now 40 years later and in the twilight of their careers they brought their classy close harmonies to Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage.

Stills and Crosby have been dogged by ill health over the past decade and it’s the former’s vocals which are exposed a little on opener Southern Cross – add the harmonies though and it remains magical.

“Welcome to Gladstock!” began Graham Nash with a nod to their past before the still politically-active trio dived into Military Madness, now updated to include a dig at George Bush.

Nash’s Marrakesh Express remains a lesson in pristine pop and they really hit their stride on Crosby’s Long Time Gone – an ageless beauty given an extra lift by another stunning guitar solo from Stills whose playing was a revelation throughout.

They dedicated a cover of The Grateful Dead’s Uncle John’s Band to Jerry Garcia before gliding into Helplessly Hoping – one of their finest showcases for that trademark harmony sound.

Nash and Crosby duetted on a positively beatific version of Guinevere and they dropped an unexpected cover of the Stones’ Ruby Tuesday into the set, too.

The typically fluid Crosby song Déjà Vu boasted another fleet-fingered Stills solo plus a harmonica break from Nash. But they overegged the pudding somewhat with piano and bass solos from their backing band.

There’s more social comment with Chicago (We Can Change The World) and Almost Cut My Hair – cue a camera shot of Crosby’s wizard-like silvery locks blowing in the breeze as the song built to a walloping climax.

After the mass singalong of For What It’s Worth, they nip back for an encore of Wooden Ships and don’t look like they want to leave, even cramming in Teach Your Children before home time.

Even after all these years, they still sing like no one else around. It’s great to have them still with us.

STEVE HARNELL

This is a Crackerjack review of Crosby, Stills and Nash. Do you agree? Rate and review this event.