Wooden Nickel - The CSNY Italian Fanzine
ISSUE #11/12 Highlights
Crosby & Nash - Cover Artwork by Massimo Lopez ©
Inside photo on the back of the cover
Richie Havens and Stephen Stills 1980
Photo by Umberto Martuscelli © in Milan Italy
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FEATURED ARTICLE
handbill art by Keith Haring©
from the L. Kaczorowski collection ©
Madison Square Garden NYC
October 31st, 1986
Originally published in WOODEN NICKEL #11/12
by Lorraine Kaczorowski
October 31st is a day of celebration in America called Halloween;
all hallows day, the eve of All Saints Day. People get dressed
up in costumes and go to parties. It is also a day of tricks and
treats, and many suprises. This past Halloween did not go by without
a few treats and surprises for me.
David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash performed at a benefit
concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City, on October
31st, 1986.
The benefit was to raise money to fight the war on drugs, especially
crack, (the most potent form of cocaine), here in New York. CSN
was among an all star group of performers; latin musician Rueben
Blades, Santana, rap group Run DMC, the Allman Brothers, Mick
Taylor, Paul Butterfield, Olatunji and his Drums of Passion, and
Felix Cavaliere.
CSN’s performance was anxiously awaited. They played to a gleeful
crowd who gave them a standing ovation as they hit the stage.
Each artist was limited to a short set. CSN opened with “Wasted
on the Way,” into “Change Partners,” “You Don’t Have to Cry,”
“Long Time Gone,” “Guinnevere,” “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,” and “Teach
Your Children.”
This set was performed acoustic only; without any other musicians
backing them up. The harmonies throughout were very dynamic. The
version of
”Long Time Gone,” was driving and superb; all three were playing
acoustic guitars for this song.
I really was moved, lifted by the rhythm of the guitars and Stephen’s
melodic leads intertwined within the piece. There was a good amount
of fresh improvisational leads from Stephen here.
Graham said during the show that they didn’t intend to play “Guinnevere,”
but they did because they felt the crowd would be receptive and
respectfully quite for David’s song - and we were.
I also think that Graham knew David would be filled with confidence
and good feelings about himself from a good musical performance
and positive audience feedback. These are two things that he was
lacking when he was in Texas.... What came out of my speculation
was a good version of the song with Graham on harmonica.
“The Suite” was also sprinkled with good leads by Stephen that
breathed new life into this song. But the best part of the show
was yet to come... At the end of this six hour show there was
a group jam. Guess who came out to play? Stephen on electric guitar,
Graham, Gregg Allman, Dickey Betts, Mick Taylor, Carlos Santana,
Butch Trucks, Dan Toler, Felix Cavaliere, Olatunji and his drums
of Passion all exchanging riffs, and having a good time.
The reason I say this was the best part of the show for me is
that I never get to see Stephen Stills do what he loves to do
the best, jamming on guitar, and having spontaneous interactions
with other musicians. I have seen him perform so many times solo
or with CSN, but never in this loose context.
Towards the end of this mini-jam, the percussionists were going
wild with a great beat; at which point Stephen put down his guitar
and started playing the bongo drums, singing and dancing.
Participating in this high energy gave me such a joy.
That was my Halloween treat.
