Graham Nash/Now/BMG
4 out of 5 Stars
Movies by American Songwriter
At 81 years of age and a profession that ranks as one in every of the most prolific and influential in the annals of recent music, Graham Nash definitely has nothing left to show. That will clarify his current absence of late. His final album, This Path Tonight, was launched almost seven years in the past and supplied the impression he was taking a look at his life in the rearview mirror. It had been 14 years since the album that preceded that, suggesting that maybe he was merely weary and reconciled to reflecting on previous glories, somewhat than forging a journey he had so repeatedly traversed earlier than.
If, in reality, that was the case, then Now might be thought of a resurgence of kinds, one which finds Nash repeatedly celebrating the blessings he’s been bestowed with and keenly conscious that he’s been a fortunate fellow certainly. A number of of the songs—“In a Dream,” “It Feels Like House,” “Comply with Your Coronary heart,” “When It Comes To You” and the candid and confessional “Proper Now” in specific— middle on gratitude for love and companionship, topics Nash has repeatedly targeted on over the years, significantly in the traditional “Our Home” (which “It Feels Like House” intently parallels right here) and “Sleep Track,” which shared an intimacy he readily returns to. The fabric is softly lit and effortlessly assured, conveying the calming and caressing sound that each one so steadily added its soothing sobriety to CSN and CSNY (Crosby Stills Nash & Younger), respectively.
That’s to not say there aren’t rallying cries included as properly. Each “Golden Idols” and “Stars and Stripes” recall the outraged anthem of previous, as manifest in the rebel stance that sparked songs like “Chicago” and “Army Insanity” so early on. The references to MAGA, January 6, and political hypocrisy depart little doubt as to the place he’s aiming his vitriol. “Stand Up” comes throughout as a name to arms, a forthright entreaty to everybody all over the place to make their voices heard.
On the different hand, Nash betrays greater than a touch of nostalgia as properly. His duet with former Hollies’ associate, Allan Clarke, on “Buddy’s Again” fondly remembers the duo’s early delight in making music and the widespread love of Buddy Holly, who initially impressed their efforts to the level the place they appropriated his surname to christen their band. On the different hand, he takes a somewhat unflattering have a look at all that’s transpired since, courtesy of the tellingly titled “I Watched It All Come Down.”
I watched all of it come down
To a paperweight at the enterprise finish of city
Loaded up and loaded down, it’s a large number, a large number
There’s a sure bitterness betrayed there, a marked distinction to the candy serenity purveyed in the album as a complete. Notably, Nash presents no ultimate ideas on his longtime comrade-in-arms, David Crosby, with whom he had a really public falling out in current years. That mentioned, “Comply with Your Coronary heart” may be interpreted as a fond farewell (In spite of everything these years collectively, I’ll always remember to say I like you… and in spite of everything this time collectively, I’ll always remember that you just love me…)
Whether or not that track is, in reality, directed to his estranged associate is a matter of conjecture. It might simply as simply be a paean to a misplaced love. It’s exhausting to say, though one factor is for certain. Graham Nash isn’t the sort to essentially relish any regret.
Picture by Jeff Spicer/Getty Photographs