Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young – On The Right Track – Wally Jug Records

As always the download link is located at the bottom of the post.

4 Voices in Harmony 4 Ever…

One of the first records I ever owned was given to me by my father: the self-titled album by Crosby, Stills and Nash. He gave it to me with an anecdote about how he and his buddies used to get really stoned listening to it and that it had a bunch of great songs on it. In particular he mentioned “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” and “Marakesh Express”. He explained that Marakesh Express is a song about smuggling hash, I’m still not sure whether it’s true or not, but that doesn’t matter. Later on, when I first brought those dusty grooves to life again, there was a magic feeling that came along with it. Now those of you who are familiar with the record know that part of that magic was strictly a product of the genius of these 3 young musicians. But, on top of that, there was this amazing feeling of touching the same record my Dad did at around the same age as he would’ve been, listening to the same songs, and of course getting high to them as well. Inherited records will do that to you.

This record is not that record. I came across this record about 5 years later on in the story of my life. Much like the other bootlegs I have found while crate-digging, something stood out to me with this record. It seemed shoddy, poorly put together and well… bootleg. On the front cover there’s this picture of the musicians in sepia-tone, posing with guns in front of a rail-house likes it’s the old west. Underneath the photo the words, “Stillscros B. Jungnash” and on top the title, “On The Right Track” and that’s all the text there is on the cover. The back has the track-listings (which you will soon discover to be an unbeatable greatest-hits set-list), the date of the recording reads “Lakehurst, NJ 6/7/70”,  the musicians’ names and a short epitaph reading, “4 Voices in Harmony 4 Ever”, all of this superimposed over old Steam-Train design diagrams. Right in the middle there appears to be a drawing of two men drilling into an older man’s head. Interesting.

The music on these discs is an unofficial live recording purportedly made during the Lakehurst, New Jersey show on June 7th, 1970. I have discovered some internet commentary stating that there is no way that this is from the Lakehurst show. Some fans like to think it’s from the Fillmore East shows during the bands week-long residency earlier in 1970.  I’m not sure who to believe, but, I’ll settle on it being from 1970 and leave it at that.  Like most bootlegs, the sound quality is pretty crappy, but that’s not what this record is all about. This record is about the performance and how the band experimented with their songs and what comes in between the songs. It’s about getting to know these musicians in a way that would be impossible otherwise, through their colloquy between songs. Hearing these guys bullshit and banter in their post-Summer of Love hippie accents provides for some of the best moments on this record. But let’s not forget the music.

In the same way the band started their debut, this bootleg starts with “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”. They then switch things up with an ultra-slow version of the Beatles, “Blackbird” which even the band members seem to be taken a-back by. One of them even suggests that they try it again. Then Neil Young arrives and things get a whole lot better. Young’s seamless medley of his own songs on Side 2 (Tell Me Why/The Loner/Cinnamon Girl/Down by the River”) is a high-point in this performance. The record continues steadily  up  until Stephen Stills decides to tune his guitar to play the blues and performs his song, “Black Queen”, sharing his inspiration for the song while getting ready. Then Side 4 comes along and things really take off. Neil Young’s songwriting really steals the show as the group finishes up with “Helplessly Hoping”, “Ohio” and “Southern Man”. It’s really something that needs to be heard by all of you. So, don’t let me waste anymore of your time. Download the recording below and enjoy. Remember, as far as I know, this is the only place on the internet where you can hear this album. Feel special. Stay tuned for more fun.

-XXX

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