In the late 1990s, after surviving serious health problems, David Crosby experienced something of an artistic rebirth by teaming with his long-lost son, keyboardist/songwriter James Raymond, in the group CPR. Here Crosby dusts off his duo with CSN bandmate Graham Nash, while still benefiting from Raymond's considerable talents. Considering all the aesthetic missteps of latter-day CSN, it's a welcome surprise to find that CROSBY * NASH is one of the classiest, most substantive projects the two old cohorts have collaborated on since 1982's DAYLIGHT AGAIN.
The fact that there are two full discs' worth of finely crafted songs on offer here emphasizes that Crosby and Nash are truly at the top of their game. With Raymond making equally impressive songwriting contributions, the compositions bear a musical sophistication that brings to mind '70s Paul Simon, and a lyrical spark that recalls Crosby and Nash's glory days. Even the production is top-notch, with spare, tasteful arrangements that never set a foot wrong, artfully framing the thoughtful, elegant folk/rock/pop sound that the icons in question mastered long ago.