Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young "Déjà Vu"

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#158 in the Series) Is Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Déjà Vu.

I was just sharing the story on Facebook about remembering buying Déjà Vu back in 1970.  I purchased it at the famous Chicagoland record chain called Hegewisch Records.  I was spending the summer at a cousin’s in Calumet City. We road our bikes to Hegewisch  and quickly we were in the store.  I plopped down my $3.49 and we we’re off.  All their LPs were $3.49 back then.  I still remember the sticker on the shrink wrap!   On the way back I wiped out on the bike and the album went flying.  Fear not, it was OK.  I still remember the fear as that brown square cover hit the ground, hard.

Déjà vu was the first album by CSNY, however, it was not their first recording.  That was the single “Ohio” recorded a little earlier.  “Ohio” never did appear on an album before it appeared on the greatest hits package called So Far.

Adding Neil Young to a band with Steven Stills was not a huge stretch since they had played together for years in The Buffalo Springfield.  In fact, the opening number Stills’ “Carry On” contains lyrics from The Buffalo Springfield’s song, “Question.”

“Teach Your Children” features a fine pedal steel part by Jerry Garcia.

“Almost Cut My Hair” is David Crosby’s first addition to the disc.  I remember discussing this album when I was a freshman in high school. I told my friend that I didn’t like this song all that much. I distinctly remember him saying ‘If you don’t like that song, then you don’t like rock and roll.’  I believe he was wrong.

Neil Young joins with his first solo writing credit on Déjà Vu with his classic “Helpless.” Side one ends with the Joni Mitchell penned classic, “Woodstock.”

We open side two with the title cut written by David Crosby, but then again, haven’t we all been here before? Listen for John Sebastian on harp. Graham Nash makes his first lead vocal appearance with “Our House.” A song that would remain in his, and their live shows for years. “4 + 20” was always one of my favorite Steven Stills songs. “Country Girl” (Young) and “Everybody I Love You” (Stills, Young) end our journey.

As the front cover told us Greg Reeves, bass and Dallas Taylor drums filled out the band.  This would be the highlights of both of their careers.

Déjà Vu was a #1 album on the Billboard Album Chart. Woodstock peaked at #11 on the Billboard Singles Chart. “Teach Your Children” hit up to #16 and while “Out House” made it up to #30.

CSN was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.

CSN OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Track Listing

Side one

1. “Carry On” (Stephen Stills) – 4:26
2. “Teach Your Children” (Nash) – 2:53
3. “Almost Cut My Hair” (Crosby) – 4:31
4. “Helpless” (Young) – 3:33
5. Woodstock” (Joni Mitchell) – 3:54

Side two

1. “Déjà Vu” (Crosby) – 4:12
2. “Our House” (Nash) – 2:59
3. “4 + 20” (Stills) – 2:04
4. “Country Girl” (“Whiskey Boot Hill,” “Down, Down, Down,” “Country Girl (I Think You’re Pretty)”) (Young)
5. “Everybody I Love You” (Stills, Young) – 2:21

Personnel

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

• David Crosby : rhythm guitar, vocals
• Stephen Stills : guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, vocals
• Graham Nash: rhythm guitar, keyboards, vocals
• Neil Young: guitar, keyboards, harmonica, vocals

Additional personnel

• Greg Reeves: bass
• Dallas Taylor: drums, percussion
• Jerry Garcia: pedal steel guitar (2)
• John Sebastian: harmonica (6)

Listen to Deja Vu Below

Here are some live videos