Crosby, Stills & Nash - "CSN [Box Set]"

My Grandparents gave me this Box Set in Christmas 2002 I believe. This excellent set covers all of Crosby, Stills, and Nash's various incarnations as musicians from 1968-1990. This Four CD set with over 70 tracks is a great compilation for the diehard fan. I believe they are who this set is aimed at, the longtime fans. For those novice fans who have very little experience with the group this may be too much material and also a number of the group's most popular songs are presented here in alternative or unreleased versions. "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" is a noticeably different take, "Guinnevere" is a demo recording, "Carry On" is presented here in Stills' remixed "Carry On/Questions" version, and there are others.

Other than the group recordings this set also features fine choices from the three musicians solo careers as well as the majority of Crosby & Nash's best duo work. There is even a version of "Dear Mr. Fantasy," from the briefly lived Stills & Nash grouping. There are a number of tracks that feature Neil Young in CSNY on songs that later turned up without him on the official recordings. As the title of the box states there are no Young solo recordings and only the two hits, "Ohio" and "Helpless," that he wrote as part of CSNY are featured here. There are also songs from CSN's later less popular albums like "Live it Up" and "American Dream." But like most career compilations the songs towards the end of disc 4 are not on par with their early material.

There is a well done booklet with lots of rare photographs and an interesting essay which features interviews from CSN. There is also a long fold out family tree which shows all their different groups through their musical careers as well as the groups of their frequent back up musicians. The booklet also features little paragraphs and personal memories about each song featured on the set. Most are written by CSNY but a few feature remarks by Joni Mitchell and Dallas Taylor. There are also detailed remarks about who played on the track as well as when and where it was first released.

Like I said earlier this is geared toward the more diehard fans who will welcome the fine tribute to an excellent group of musicians. Since I am a diehard fan I am glad I own this.