Kosmik Radiation Radio - Dec 14, 2012 Playlist

CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
David Crosby "If I Could Only Remember My Name" 1971 (USA)

David Crosby was the spokesman and most notorious member of Crosby Stills Nash (and sometimes Young), and before that he was an outspoken and notorious member of The Byrds; indeed, he was one of the pivotal figures in the California music scene in the 1960's. However, he was also a major drug addict -- in general the story of CSN is the classic tale of talent laid low by dope -- and despite David's talent and connections he only released one solo album during the 1970's. But it's a real doozy, not just unique among the sundry permutations of CSN(Y), but a one of a kind record that still sounds groundbreaking. Crosby's songwriting on this LP is an idiosyncratic web of acoustic and electric guitars, jazzy harmonies, and freeform overdubbed choirs of The Croz. His collaborators include Nash and Young (but no Stills?) plus assorted members of Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead and other San Francisco scenesters.
I couldn't find any performance clips of tunes from this album, but here's a classic example of Crosby's songwriting style: "Guinnevere" (performed by Crosby-Nash, actually the longest lasting of the various CSN(Y) lineups). His notoriety went in to high gear in 1967 when he ranted about the JFK conspiracy at Montery Pop Festival during The Byrds' set, then proceeded to stand in for Neil Young for Buffalo Springfield's set: Neil had just quit Buffalo, though he rejoined later in the year which didn't prevent the group breaking up entirely by 1968. By that time Crosby had been fired from The Byrds, so he and ex-Buffalo Stephen Stills formed the nucleas of CSN, the ultimate classic rock supergroup. Here's that band in more recent years playing one of their signature tunes which was written by The Croz: "Long Time Gone". Finally, an all-star jam from 2011 with the (sober nowadays) Croz joined by old pals Graham Nash, Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh and the Allman Brothers Band on the CSNY concert favorite "Almost Cut My Hair".

(N) = New Release

Artist	Song	Album	Year (label)	Country
Neil Young & Crazy Horse	Down By The River	Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere	1969	Canada/USA
The Grateful Dead	Doin' That Rag	Aoxomoxoa	1969	USA
The Band	Rag Mama Rag	The Band	1969	Canada/USA
Bob Dylan	Rainy Day Women #12 & 35	Blonde On Blonde	1966	USA

David Crosby (with Graham Nash, Joni Mitchell and 4/5 of the Grateful Dead)	Laughing	If I Could Only Remember My Name CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK	1971	USA
David Crosby (with Graham Nash, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Michael Shrieve, 4/5 of the Grateful Dead and 3 members of Jefferson Starship)	What Are Their Names?	If I Could Only Remember My Name CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK	1971	USA
David Crosby (with Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, Mickey Hart & Billy Kreutzman)	Cowboy Song	If I Could Only Remember My Name CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK	1971	USA
Crosby & Nash (with Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh & Billy Kreutzman)	The Wall Song	Graham Nash-David Crosby	1972	USA/UK
Spirit (Ed Cassidy R.I.P. 1923-2012)	Mr. Skin	Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus	1970	USA

Neil Young & Crazy Horse	She Wants To Dance	Psychedelic Pill (N)	2012 (Reprise)	Canada/USA
Mogwai	San Pedro (The Soft Moon Remix)	A Wrenched Virile Lore (N)	2012 (Rock Action)	UK (Scotland)
Six Organs Of Admittance	Waswasa	Ascent (N)	2012 (Drag City)	USA
Woods	Cali In A Cup	Bend Beyond (N)	2012 (Woodsist)	USA

Swans	Mother Of The World	The Seer (N)	2012 (Young Gods)	USA
Om	Sinai	Advaitic Songs (N)	2012 (Drag City)	USA
Can	Blind Mirror Surf	The Lost Tapes (N - previously unreleased tracks)	rec. 1968 (2012 Spoon/Mute)	Germany
Lee "Scratch" Perry	Mr. Upsetter (Funky Mix)	Master Piece (N)	2012 (Born Free)	Jamaica
Moon Of Ostara	The Star Child pt. 4	The Star Child (N)	2012 (4Zero)	UK
Menahan Street Band	Sleight Of Hand	The Crossing (N)	2012 (Dunham/Daptone)	USA

Ty Segall	Gold On The Shore	Twins (N)	2012 (Drag City)	USA
The Incredible String Band	Big Ted	Changing Horses	1969	UK (Scotland)
Merl Saunders & Jerry Garcia	Mystery Train (Junior Walker - live)	Keystone Companions: The Complete 1973 Fantasy Recordings (N - reissue compilation)	1973 (2012 Concord)	USA

Neil Young & Crazy Horse	The Loner (live)	Live Rust	1979	Canada/USA
The Grateful Dead	Hard To Handle (Otis Redding - live)	History Of The Grateful Dead Vol. 1: Bear's Choice	1973	USA
Bob Dylan (with The Band)	Quinn The Eskimo (live)	Self Portrait	1970	USA/Canada
The Band	Stage Fright (live)	Before The Flood	1974	Canada/USA