Crosby, Stills & Nash: Greatest Hits

iTunes Review

Ex-Byrd David Crosby, Buffalo Springfield veteran Stephen Stills, and Hollies stalwart Graham Nash began their recording partnership in 1969 as coequals, fusing their individual talents as singer/songwriters into a greater whole. The trio’s chemistry proved to be an unstable one, leading to numerous breakups and reformations over the decades. Seamless vocal harmonies may be their trademark, but as this best-of album shows, there are contrasts to be found in their collective efforts as well. Stills’ “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,” “Carry On/Questions,” and “49 Bye Byes” catches their sound at its most expansive, placing CSN’s scintillating voices amidst intricate arrangements with folk, country and Latin undertones. Crosby adds a mystical element with dreamy tunes like “Guinnevere” and a political bent with angry rockers like “Long Time Gone.” As for Nash, he proves himself a master of wistful, sweet-toned pop with “Our House,” “Just a Song Before I Go,” and “Wasted On the Way.” Often imitated but never duplicated, Crosby, Stills and Nash remain the gold standard for fine-crafted, acoustic-centered pop/rock.