It’s been two decades since the last David Crosby solo album, but not to worry. The rotund CSN&Y star has released Croz, an 11-song collection featuring not only his usual solo band regulars (one of whom is keyboardist and co-songwriter James Raymond, Crosby’s son), but also some high-powered guest musicians as well. It begins with “What’s Broken” with Mark Knopfler lending his considerable guitar leads to the mix. It’s a solid mid-tempo number that sees Crosby in good voice (one you’ll certainly recognize the second you hear it) and wonderful harmonies behind him on the choruses.
“Holding On To Nothing” features piano played by Raymond, Crosby’s acoustic and his voice whispery quiet. We also get Wynton Marsalis blowing trumpet for the instrumental break. The acoustic-based “The Clearing” has some truly inspired playing with drummer Steve DiStanislao pushing the beat along so precisely, while Crosby plies meaning and relevance with the lyric. Raymond’s piano playing comes to a fore under Crosby’s fine use of harmonies to move the catchy “Radio” along.
DiStanislao and Raymond create a rich, jazz-like backing for Crosby staccato vocal on “Slice Of Time,” the most CSN-sounding tune on the disc. The guitar takes the cake on “Set That Baggage Down,” with more slow electric picking on “If She Called.” The record’s centerpiece may well be “Dangerous Night,” which enjoys a full and rich production that finds both Crosby and Raymond at the peak of their powers. “Morning Falling” has Crosby’s haunting vocal over strings and ambient sounds. The album finishes up with “Find A Heart,” a nice , perhaps a tad too positive and sentimental, but Steve Tavaglione’s clarinet works well here though. Croz requires a few listens to soak in, which is a good thing as far as I’m concerned. That and the fact that it’s been way too long since a new David Crosby solo album has come out. Savor the moment.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
