|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David Crosby & CPR: An Arresting Performance
A dense and ominous fog settled in over the Shea Center for Performing Arts on Friday, March 5, 2004. But, by the end of the night's performance one thing was made clear – David Crosby and his band CPR were in top form. Unfortunately, by the time the band made their way back to their Times Square hotel in New York City another fact was revealed — David Crosby was facing trouble with the law once again – jeopardizing the optimism and exciting news that the band was reporting this night.
 The band CPR onstage at the Shea Center for Performing Arts in Wayne, New Jersey. CPR is a five-piece rock band established in 1997. David Crosby, Jeff Pevar and James Raymond are the namesakes of CPR. The trio has an amazing collective musical history. David Crosby is a legend having created or been a part of some of the most memorable music from the 60's and 70's. Jeff Pevar is a versatile guitarist well versed in rock, jazz and the blues. He has played on numerous projects and has worked with Jackson Browne, Ray Charles, Laura Nyro and James Taylor to name just a few of many. James Raymond is a musical director and well-respected keyboardist who has also worked with a variety of artists. Steve Stanislowski on drums and Andrew Ford on bass are the first-rate rhythm section for CRP. CPR first toured as a band in early 1997 and have dates lined up for the winter and spring of 2004. They have released two studio and two live CD's. Jeff Pevar is a guitarist, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist. His own band performs a blend of R&B, jazz and rock. Besides Pevar projects, Jeff has played on many other albums spanning a diversity of genres. As part of CPR, Jeff is the powerhouse lead guitar section. On stage he is surrounded by choice amps and a rack of guitars including a double-necked steel. Jeff throughout a CPR set will utilize the various instruments to masterfully achieve different textures, tones and techniques. Throughout the show at Shea his vibrant solos were often the high point of many songs, which is saying a lot as the rhythm section was always strong, Raymond was exceptional on the keyboards and David is center stage. James Raymond is an accomplished writer, producer and keyboardist. James has played and toured with notable R&B and jazz recording artists Take 6, Tom Scott and others. In addition, he has written, arranged and directed music for a number of successful television programs including Nickelodeon's Roadhouse. During Crosby's recovery from a liver transplant in 1995, Raymond who was adopted was reunited with his birth father David. Soon after they were composing songs and realized there was a strong musical chemistry leading to the formation of CPR. James is an incredible player, bringing magic to his solos and providing compelling chords throughout the Shea set. Early on in the show David asked the lighting guys to back off on the spotlight a bit. "It's not about what we look like," Crosby said. "That's for Britney and Justin. They're about as deep as a bird bath... but they're cute."
 David Crosby as he appeared less then five hours before his arrest on gun charges. The band would play their own brand of deep rock in a two-and-a-half hour set that included songs about children & terrorism, corporate greed and socio-political upheaval from a catalogue of music spanning 40 years. The show's set contained a diverse sampling of Crosby's music including songs by the Byrds, CSN, and CSN&Y. During the course of the evening the chatty Mr. Crosby made reference to his penchant for being a trouble maker. He also informed the fans to be on the look-out for a slue of new Crosby-related music that is soon to be released. These projects include a re-release of his debut solo record in Dolby 5.1 Digital Sound, a new Crosby-Nash record and a David Crosby retrospective CD box set. On a day when politics, corporate scandal and government regulatory control were leading the headlines the issues of the day seemed to be on the minds of the performers as well. The opening act, Common Rotation from Los Angeles, dedicated a song called 'Clear Channel' to Howard Stern – the nationally known radio personality recently under fire from the FCC who was recently kicked off of six Clear Channel controlled radio stations. The singer said he read an article about David Crosby called "I'm Still Alive" and then thanked David for the opening slot before dedicating a song "about living" to him. "Ken Lay and Enron are the single biggest contributor I know to shrub's campaign," Crosby said before playing a new song about corporate stock scandals titled 'They Want It All.' "There's a thing I remember from the Vietnam days," Mr. Crosby said introducing the next tune. "If you say you don't like war they say that you are un-American. I love this country, I believe in it. It pisses me off when they try to claim it for themselves, because it's our right to disagree. In order to make this point clear we're going to play this song," Crosby said before playing an arrangement of 'My Country 'Tis of Thee' first performed by Michael Hedges, the innovative Windham Hill guitarist who was killed in a car accident in 1997. The Shea set included many songs from the CPR catalogue including 'Map To Buried Treasure', 'Jesus of Rio' and 'American Ghost Town'. The CPR tracks tackle serious issues in a tapestry of dramatic guitar leads, compelling keyboards and solid beats. Crosby on occasion would play guitar but left the majority of that in the capable hands of Pevar. In addition to jams CPR has great harmonies carrying on the traditions of CSN. 'Lay Me Down', the second song of the night, showcased the vocal chemistry of CPR. At times, the harmonies sounded like one strong voice. The set list was diverse with slow passionate vinaigrettes and heavy rockers. David, in the role of ringmaster and lead vocalist talked a bit about the song writing process and how some songs are more about feeling than words as they segued into a montage that featured vocal blends and talking instruments. Each band member including Steve and Andrew had an opportunity to demonstrate their skills. Besides CPR material, the group played 'Guinnevere', 'So You Want To Be A Rock 'n' Roll Star' and a rocked up version of 'Déjà Vu' with a soaring Pevar solo. This classic set closer earned CPR it first of two standing ovations. The band returned to the stage for their encore of 'Cowboy Movie' with its foretelling lyrics of trouble with the law before leaving the crowd with one more song. "There's two reasons we do this next song. One is we love it. The other is we want you to remember," before playing their show-closing number of CSN&Y's 'Ohio.' This Neil Young-penned classic rock anthem tells the story of the tragic death of four college students who were gunned down by the Ohio National Guard while protesting the Vietnam War in 1970 on the campus of Kent State University. The audience gathered in the acoustically rich Shea Center were quiet and respectful at the appropriate moments revealing their deep appreciation of the music. Many in attendance seemed familiar with all or part of Crosby's body of work which spans four decades. They gave loud cheers and applause following each song and CPR received an enthusiastic standing ovation at the show's close. But, the night's good feelings were to be short lived for Crosby. Immediately after the show David Crosby returned to the DoubleTree Suites hotel in midtown Manhattan where he had been staying. He had left a bag behind and had made a phone call telling management that he would be coming back to retrieve it. Unbeknownst to him, a hotel employee had discovered the bag and rifled through it to determine whose property it was. The employee discovered an ounce of marijuana, two knives and a loaded .45 caliber pistol and a total of 26 rounds of ammunition. The hotel alerted authorities and the police were waiting for Crosby when he showed up. Crosby was taken into custody and charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a felony. He faces up to seven years on the gun charge if convicted. Just when it seemed he was truly reveling in the joy of his life and in the midst of making great music — it looks like David Crosby and his career may need resuscitation once again.
 From left to right: CPR is Jeff Pevar, David Crosby and James Raymond.
Related Links: For more information on CPR and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- David Crosby & CPR | Jeff Pevar | Common Rotation | W.P. University
|
|
. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
