[Review] Graham Nash: Songs for Survivors (2002)
An older and presumably wiser Graham Nash resurfaces as a major talent on a minor label.
Kronomyth 5.0: A nashing of tooth and substance
Solo albums from Graham Nash and David Crosby are as infrequent as Halley’s Comet sightings these days, and no doubt many observers put their telescopes away after Innocent Eyes. It was something of a surprise then that Graham returned to the studio after CSN&Y’s Looking Forward to work on an album of new material. Released almost two years after the fact on independent Artemis Records, Songs For Survivors finds the UK contingent of CS&N alive and well. Pristinely recorded (the liner notes go to the trouble of listing each individual microphone) and produced with father-and-son Russell and Nathaniel Kunkel, Nash’s first new solo album in 16 years is a warm and well-crafted collection of original songs featuring acoustic guitar, harmonica and that seemingly ageless voice. The album is a nod to his past (Songs for Beginners), a tip of the hat to fallen comrades (George Harrison, Cass Elliott, Michael Hedges and writer Allan MacDougall) and a concession to the challenge of simply surviving in this mad, modern age. “The Chelsea Hotel,” “Lost Another One” and “Liar’s Nightmare” address those issues directly, while love songs fill the gaps. Also included is a cover of Richard and Linda Thompson’s “Pavanne” (from First Light), smartly done and smacking of woodsmoked folk. Nash was never the most politically pointed of CSN&Y, yet with age has come a certain amount of crustiness, evidenced by a barbed opening pair in “Dirty Little Secret” (about the 1921 Oklahoma race riots, I have no idea why) and “Blizzard of Lies” (drug abuse). Taking into account that “Nothing in the World” is a (probably unconscious) rewrite of The Beatles’ “Don’t Let Me Down,” Songs for Survivors shakes out to eight new tracks in 16 years, not enough to suggest a second wind. In fact, we’re still waiting for an encore. However, it’s a markedly better record than his last two, a graceful graying that shares the quality and integrity of recent CS&N albums like After The Storm and Looking Forward.
The Songs
A1. Dirty Little Secret (Graham Nash/Russell Kunkel) (4:22)
A2. Blizzard of Lies (4:13)
A3. Lost Another One (3:23)
A4. The Chelsea Hotel (3:57)
A5. I’ll Be There For You (Doug Ingoldsby/Graham Nash/Joe Vitale) (3:41)
A6. Nothing In The World (5:19)
A7. Where Love Lies Tonight (Graham Nash/Joe Vitale) (3:10)
A8. Pavanne (Richard Thompson/Linda Thompson) (5:05)
A9. Liar’s Nightmare (melody by Jean Ritchie/words by Graham Nash) (8:12)
A10. Come With Me (2:32)
All songs written by Graham Nash unless noted.
The Players
Graham Nash (vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica), Lenny Castro (percussion), David Crosby (vocals), Dan Dugmore (guitars, banjo), Steve Farris (guitars), Sydney Forest (vocals), Viktor Krauss (acoustic and electric bass), Russell Kunkel (drums, percussion), Dean Parks (guitars) and Matt Rollings (keyboards). Produced by Russell Kunkel, Nathaniel Kunkel and Graham Nash; engineered and mixed by Nathaniel Kunkel.
The Pictures
Album design, digital imaging and back cover portrait by R. Mac Holbert. Cover photography and booklet images by Graham Nash. Cover concept by Kinski Rodriguez. Candle photo by Susan Watts.
The Plastic
Released on DVD Audio on April 30, 2002 in the US (DTS Entertainment, DTS-1092) and on compact disc on July 30, 2002 in the US (Artemis, 751130-2) and Japan (Artemis, COCB-53110). Also released on promotional CD in 2002 in the US (Artemis, ARTCD-132) and Japan (Epic, EICP-139).
