Deja Vu

Anyone not familiar with the album by now is possibly an extra-terrestrial. I've nothing more to add that could be useful

This was the only Crosby Still and Nash album I ever owned - because it had Neil Young on it. I loved it and I played it constantly in the 1970s but had more or less forgotten about it as my vinyl was pretty much worn out. Then this remaster turned up and rekindled my interest.(I have been developing an increasingly expensive and probably slightly obsessive interest in 60s and 70s music remastered from the original tapes because I know how much was edited down - or completely out of- the studio recordings to make it sound good on average home stereos or transistor radios. The only recording engineer I knew then could be relied upon to shake his head and mournfully pronounce "But you should have heard the tapes" about any new release we were enthusing over. ) After being initially shocked by how short the album was- I had forgotten about 36 minute albums being the norm and this is not padded out with bonus tracks - I have just listened to Deja Vu four times in a row. It is great and is deservedly on lots of "must have" album lists. Of course there are all the big hits - "Teach Your Children","Our House" and "Woodstock" -on it as well as my own personal favourites "Helpless" and "4 +20" . The vocals are clearer, crisper and much more individually recognisable than on the original mix ,there is a far better acoustic depth to the whole thing, the percussion is clearer and a there is a lovely clean ring to the sound of the acoustic guitars. But there is so much more on this than there was on the original mix. There seem to be two keyboard players on this recording with very different styles.The one who is on some Neil Young tracks sounds remarkably like Nicky Hopkins to me, which is conceivable as he was often not credited and his great friend Jerry Garcia is also on this on steel guitar. There is no one at all credited with playing organ or piano on the original sleeve notes so it is a mystery that, even with a fair amount of on-line research, I have been unable to resolve.However I swear that there is far, far more on this remaster than was on the original mix. I knew every note of the original release and keep finding things that are new to me on this. Whole instrumental parts that were dropped out or muffled into the background and the excellent percussion that was dropped right back bought forward so you can hear it. This seems to have been a labour of love to recreate the album as it was originally recorded and I spent the whole evening being fascinated and surprised by it. I think it is superb and am delighted to have the opportunity to hear it in all its complexity.

This really is a timeless classic. The second album from Crosby, Stills and Nash added the talents of Neil Young to the mix and came up with something that transcends the era it was made in thanks to beautiful close harmonies, sharing solo vocal duties around and peerless musicianship. Pretty much every track here stands as a testament to the fine interplay between the quartet, with excellent backup from Dallas Taylor and Greg Reeves. So much here are tracks that embellish the C, S, N, Y legend and left the public clamouring for more. Every arrangement gives the impression of being honed and polished to perfection. The template for AOR is right here, influencing many groups that followed such as Eagles and the classic version of Fleetwood Mac to name just two major groups who owe a debt of gratitude to what was set out here. Witness opener Carry On, which effortlessly interweaves harmonies and sets out the album's raison d'etre immediately. The very lovely Teach Your Children follows, and whilst the sentiments may flow from the hippie era the song itself is much more than that. The introduction of Young adds a new piece to the jigsaw with Helpless an acknowledged Young classic, although I feel Country Girl almost but not quite eclipses it. This is a fabulous album that has stood the test of time. Whilst born at the tail end of the hippie era and indeed giving nods towards it in the shape of Joni Mitchell cover Woodstock, and the track most pinned in the era Almost Cut My Hair (actually a protest song) it's much more than that. Along with debut album Crosby, Stills and Nash one of the two essential purchases by this group.

Managing to get four individual "stars" to function as one unit is no mean feat; the Beatles, Stones, etc. managed it but others eg Blind Faith , found it much harder.Deja Vu is largely successful; most songs are effective with the highlights being "Neil Young's "Country Girl" , Still's "4+20" and , musically at least, Crosby's "Almost Cut My Hair". The latter is a standout guitar trsck with Stills and Young recapturing some of the Buffalo Springfield magic and reminding us of what could have been had that group continued.Wher the album falls down slightly is the disappointing closing tracks on each side; Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock" in particular, is more effectively done by others. Finally, whoever let Gerry Garcia near a steel guitar has a lot to answer for; both "Teach Your Children" and "Helpless" are victims of his playing.Still, after over forty years this album has stood the test of time very well and many of the songs and performances are as fresh today as when first released

I’m a fan so can’t say anything bad about this album. All fans I’d expect would rate this album. One album CSYN fans should have. Some serious classics here. Teach your children and Our Houseare Magic Neil Young's helpless is only fab. You won’t regret buying if you want to dip into CSYN.A good era of music shows in this album.

This is now over 50 years old and is an album that transcends time and musicCalled the American Beatles by some, no one can ever be The Beatles, but throwing Neil Young into an already established 3 part harmony was a risk, but a risk that paid off in this amazing LP by an already supergroupAmazing songs and highly recommended to all that enjoy real music

A must to have for any music buff. Great songs by one of the most famous bands of all time.Great production too.