More often than not, classic songs are covered for all the wrong reasons. Either an artist is arrogant enough to think that they can improve on an original, something that has only been achieved on a handful of occasions – Jeff Buckley‘s take on “Hallelujah,” Kirsty MacColl’s reworking of “A New England” spring to mind – or are just riding on the coattails of greatness.
The only reason to cover the best-known songs of the great and the good is to celebrate their genius, to add to their legacy rather than your own, and that is precisely what we find going on with CaliAmericana, Vol. 3 – a gathering of artists with one sonic mission in mind, to remind us, this time out, of just how brilliant and essential a songwriter and performer the late, great David Crosby was.
Here his legacy is explored, and Chris and John Beland covering The Byrds “Eight Miles High” is the prominent place to start, but the album is a reminder that David Crosby was a man of many sonic moods and by contrast to the opener, Katherine Sieck‘s seductive and elegant version of 1971 Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young track “Lee Shore” sees his music at its most delicate.
Shawn Thies offers a brilliant version of “Guinevere,” from the eponymous CS&N debut album, musically faithful and her single voice every bit as emotive and evocative as their original triple-harmonies.
Whether you are an existing fan of Crosby and the bands with which he was involved or new to his music, this is either a beautiful addition to your record collection or a brilliant introduction. Either way, you need it in your life.
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