It’s CSN, it’s true, and these stripped down acoustic tracks are certainly demos – but this package isn’t quite as enticing as it might first appear. A selection of mainly solo recordings of tracks destined for the band (Nash’s “Chicago”; Crosby’s “Almost Cut My Hair”) and some for solo projects, Demos is almost completely missing the group’s signature sound: harmony.
It’s interesting stuff, but without the documentary quality of, say, Stephen Stills’ Just Roll Tape or the sound of this great group actually getting it together (as you’ll find on the CSN demo motherlode: the Studio Archives 1969 bootleg). It’s all rather spartan; a lot of Canyon, but no great laurels.
JOHN ROBINSON
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Pic credit: PA Photos (CSN at Glastonbury festival 2009)