In what will be the last album David Crosby released in his lifetime, this one and only full-length release featuring the Lighthouse Band, was recorded live at the Capitol Theatre, in Port Chester, New York (a village in Westchester, that straddles New York and Connecticut) on December 8th, 2018. (David Crosby and the Lighthouse Band released a four-song, ten-inch live EP for Record Store Day in 2017).
Featuring David Crosby, the group is rounded out by Becca Stevens, Michael League, and Michelle Willis. The 2018 Crosby studio album, Here If You Listen, also featured Stevens, League and Willis. The Lighthouse Band came together when League was set to produce an album for Crosby, and League had suggested Stevens and Willis sing with them. Crosby had previously met them during the recording for the Snarky Puppy’s Family Dinner 2.
The Lighthouse Band is similar in some cases to CPR, a group that Crosby led, which also included Jeff Pevar and Crosby’s son James Raymond. That group released two studio albums and two live albums between 1998 and 2001. In the case of both groups, Crosby shares the stage with younger, less-known musical artists, but musicians clearly in tune with his unique sound.
This live album, like those two CPR live albums, puts more emphasis on recent Crosby compositions and group compositions, with music from his more well-known solo studio albums and iconic groups rounding out the release. Considering some of the heavyweight groups Crosby was part of (The Byrds, CSNY), the chemistry and harmonizing here is worthy of his past associations.
What marks this release as something very much new for Crosby is his harmonizing with female voices. While those voices match the pure beauty of Crosby’s singing, they also add some much-needed strength. It is astonishing how well Crosby’s voice has weathered the years and his past substance abuse, but on this live outing the raggedness is starting to show, although without being a detriment in any way.
As for some of the songs performed here, fans will be most familiar with “Guinnevere” from the debut Crosby Stills and Nash album from 1969; the title track from the debut Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young album in 1970, Déjà Vu, and “Woodstock,” the CSNY cover of the Joni Mitchell song that the group released as a single, which was also on Deja Vu.
“Laughing” is a song Crosby included on his debut solo album If I Could Only Remember My Name in 1971 and the self-titled Byrds reunion album from 1973. “Carry Me” is from the second Crosby and Nash album Wind on the Water from 1975. It’s interesting to hear the way these songs are reworked, particularly “Déjà Vu,” with its simpler instrumentation, and “Woodstock,” which now sounds darker and more apocalyptic.
The DVD is even more enjoyable than the CD as it gives insight into Crosby’s charismatic stage presence and affectionate interplay, as well as the respect he has for these abundantly talented young musicians.
GRADED ON A CURVE:
B
