Images may be subject to copyright
After seeing Crosby, Stills and Nash playing Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena in 2015, the opportunity appeared remote that they’d ever appear again either together or as solo artists.
A big falling out amongst band members plus their declining health meant it unlikely that there would be the chance of a return visit anytime soon, if at all.
Fortunately, 10 years later, Graham Nash announced his More Evenings of Songs & Stories tour with a visit to Cardiff’s New Theatre on the itinerary, and with tickets purchased, headed out to witness a quite incredible evening.
Opener for the night was Nash’s great friend Peter Asher, famous for being one part of the Sixties singing duo Peter & Gordon and Grammy award winning music producer.
Between songs from his career Asher recalled stories of his life most notably of family lodger Paul McCartney who was in the process of writing World Without Love (rejected by Lennon for The Beatles). Asher played a early demo recording that McCartney made in his bedroom, a song that Asher managed to blag and became a #1 hit all over the world for Peter & Gordon
Then it was time for Nash. Featuring songs from his early days with The Hollies it was his work with the famous C,S & N that really raised the roof.
Describing how he wrote Marrakesh Express on train ride to Marrakesh, he then proceeded to produce a great version with his very impressive stella band. Rarely have I witnessed such a talented trio of musicians. A guitarist playing drums, a drummer, playing bass whilst drumming. All the while providing immaculate backing vocals, highlight being the drummer stepping forward for a ripping guitar solo in a rocking version of Woodstock.
Nash enthralled his audience with his memories of times hanging out with the good and the great of Laurel Canyon. How he wrote the beautiful Our House after a shopping trip with his then muse, Joni Mitchell.
One of the highlights of the evening was a song, the heartbreaking Simple Man, written on the morning of his breakup with Joni. The sadness still echoes in his voice and tugs at your heart.
A very vocal opponent of the situation in Gaza his anti-war song Military Madness struck a chord with many witnessing the dreadful news each day, and hoping that a solution would be found to end that particular madness.
Leaving the stage after three encores which included striking versions of Teach Your Children and Woodstock, the evening climaxed with a quite stunning version of Crosby, Stills & Nash’s, Judy Collins’s inspired, Suite: Judy Blue Eyes.
It was an evening of nostalgia and musical perfection, and fans left hoping it’s a quicker return for the legend that is Graham Nash.
