The power of music is one of the great unknowns in the human saga. For reasons we don't quite understand (yet) its vibrations can lift us to great heights, drop us down into deep depression, liberate us, make us joyous, help us grieve, and so much more.
Thus its practitioners -- the best of them -- can rise to shaman status. They can speak to higher realities, lead us on political issues, arouse our spirits, calm our souls.
Those with the power are rare. There is a huge corporate industry designed to manufacture and sell commercial imitations.
But real ones still walk among us, and if we catch them at the right moment, they can move us as little else in this life.
This week there came such a time. Crosby, Stills and Nash played under a pavilion on the Ohio River outside Cincinnati amidst a gorgeous warm night before some 4,000 folks who must be described at this point as elders.
(By way of disclosure, I've worked with Graham Nash since 1978, when he toured California with Jackson Browne, raising funds and consciousness to fight the Diablo Canyon nukes. Bonnie Raitt, Jackson and Graham are the core of NukeFree.org, whose website I edit.)
The show was a mix of old and new, but stayed within the terrain of melodies and harmonies the trio essentially invented."Wooden ships on the waterVery freeAnd easyThe way it's supposed to be."
Hearing CSN's standards reminds us Boomers of a time and place, an era of history when we were young and open and a whole new genre of music and politics and ways of being was in the birthing. There was a war on and we wanted peace, and injustices and bigotries we wanted done away with, and with all that came a mindset and culture that changed the world -- but not yet enough.
With a superb supporting cast (including David Crosby's son, James Raymond), the band reminds us why these songs became standards in the first place. It's not enough that music is of a time -- it also has to be good on its own. The deep resonance of the chord changes, the perfect harmonies, master guitar riffs, intriguing lyrics... there are reasons these songs are still with us. Carry On, Helpless, Suite Judy Blue Eyes, Our House will always carry the touch of greatness that inspired them.
Thankfully, the group has also kept its political focus. Graham dedicated Teach Your Children to the underpaid, overworked professionals who do just that.
He also sang Almost Gone, a searing accusation written with James Raymond about the ghastly torture of Bradley Manning, the whistleblowing young soldier being pilloried by our imperial army for the "crime" of telling the truth.
Graham's epic Winchester Cathedral asked, "How many people have died in the name of Christ?" The question was underscored with Military Madness, reminding us that our species continues to poison and bleed itself with an unfathomable addiction to violence and war that could someday soon kill us all.
To do this kind of politics in a concert for which people have paid good money is a delicate dance. But these guys are good enough -- and then some -- to make it work. It is, after all, who they are, and have been, and we would expect no less.
The riverfront night was clear and clean, but global-warmed, and at one point Graham complained of the heat.
"Take off your shirt," someone yelled.
"Are you kidding," said Graham. "I'm seventy years old."
Well, yeah, but he and his brothers haven't lost a beat, and their core audience has the aura of being as fit and bright and full of life as we were way back when.
In those days, we never doubted we would live forever. In the parallel universe CSN still has the power to create, it seems we actually have.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.