Editor's Choice...
And today... "If I Could Only Remember My Name", David Crosby's first solo album, released on February 22, 1971.
A calm, magical, and acoustic folk-psychedelic album, with lots of open chords, unconventional guitar tunings, a wide and varied range of instruments, and amazing vocal harmonies.
And what an amazing lineup of musicians is participating in it. All the who and who of the folk-rock and psychedelia scene of that era. Graham Nash, Neil Young, Jerry Garcia, Joni Mitchell, Paul Kantner, Grace Slick, Gregg Rolie, and many more.
It is David Crosby's first solo album and was heavily influenced by the death of his then-girlfriend, Christine Hinton, who was killed in a car accident in 1969.
Crosby and Christine were a couple in love and had a perfect relationship. A few days before the accident, the two moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. While Crosby was hosting a pool party for his friends, Christine took their cats to the vet. One of the cats was released from the cage during the ride, jumped on Christine, and attacked her wildly. Christine lost control of the vehicle, collided with another vehicle, and was killed on the spot.
Crosby did not forgive himself. He sank into depression and began drinking and consuming drugs, until he lost his senses. This album was a kind of healing process for Crosby with the support of his close friends, who helped him in the creative process.
"I'd Swear There Was Somebody Here" sounds just like a prayer, a lament, a requiem written by Crosby for his beloved Christine. He said he felt her presence in the studio during the recording.
Crosby and his circle of support produced such an incredible album. The mesmerizing "Music Is Love" co-written with Graham Nash and Neil Young, the bluesy "Cowboy Movie" with Jerry Garcia's "Electrifying" guitar, the amazing "Laughing" with the unconventional guitar tune and Garcia's pedal steel guitar, Joni Mitchell and Graham Nash background vocals in "Song with No Words (Tree with No Leaves)" that speaks straight to the heart without uttering a single word, and more.
For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music.