If, dear reader, you trace your love of the Americana genre back to the 60s you would probably agree that there were a number of bands in the California music firmament that can be considered as progenitors of the genre – The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, and so on. One such was Crosby Stills and Nash (previously of The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and The Hollies respectively), especially on their debut album, which included a range of musical styles. Released in 1969, the self-titled album was pretty successful for a debut album, peaking at no 6 and eventually selling more than 4 million copies. The lead-off single, and arguably the standout track, was the long opener ‘Suite Judy Blue Eyes’, written by Stephen Stills for his ex- partner, folk singer Judy Collins. It was a wonderful song with various rhythm and chord changes, hence it was called a suite (perhaps a little conceit on Stills’ part that it was like a piece of classical music). But the outstanding thing about the track was the incredible harmonies, a major part of the appeal of the group.
Fast forward more than 40 years and a lot of alt country water has flown under the bridge and here you have more outstanding harmonies during the finale to the 2011 Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation’s (SMMEF) “For The Arts” campaign, an annual concert promoted (and aided and abetted by local band Venice – sadly a rather unsuccessful band in the mould of CSN, Buffalo Springfield and others). So Venice were the predominant performers of the campaign, a band with superlative harmonies (how many times do you hear that said of bands operating in the latter stages of the 20th century?) and a very large local fan base, though without any market success (they also happened to be very popular in Holland, whose good people know good country rock music when they hear some), perhaps surprising you might think from a band as good as this.
Anyway in this particular year the guest artists they attracted to the last song of the concert were two-thirds of that group of excellent harmonies, America, lead singer of the marvellous pop rock band Mr Mister, Richard Page, and probably the best harmony singer of the last 40 or so years of his life, David Crosby. The concert is held in the Barnum Hall of Santa Monica High School and includes members of the school band and orchestra. The song is what the Americans call ‘ a doozie’ and it meant a lot to this writer at the time it came out, as he was….. well, you don’t want to hear about that. Just listen to this rather wonderful version of a rather wonderful song, and think back to when you heard it first. Marvel at the harmonies and at Pat Lennon’s acoustic guitar, virtually note for note with Stills’ original. A good way to end the week.
An excellent performance indeed but I think you’ll find the acoustic guitar is played by Pat Lennon of Venice. Dewey Bunnell (along with Gerry Beckley) is on vocals and handclaps. Note also James Raymond, Croz’s son, on keys.
Thanks for picking me up, Nigel. There was no specific detail on the instrumentalists that I could find, and I had never heard of Venice. Your info sort of goes to prove how good they were (are?)