David Crosby - For Free
by Nick Dent-Robinson
published: 22 / 9 / 2021

Label:
BMG
Format: CD
intro
Optimistic fourth album in five years from David Crosby, who continues on this his late-life renaissance
'For Free' is David Crosby's fourth album in five years. It continues his late-life renaissance. But, unlike recent output from some other Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles alumni (Jackson Browne's 'Downhill From Everywhere' comes to mind), Crosby's new album is not world-weary. He retains a sunny disposition! Now 80, Crosby is one of rock's great survivors. A founding member of two seminal bands - The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young - he was a cornerstone of the singer-songwriter scene that flourished in early 1970s LA. Crosby recovered from major heart surgery in 2014 and subsequently his artistic fires have been burning as brightly as ever! The new album, produced by Crosby's talented musician son James Raymond, features cameos from the Doobie Brothers' Michael McDonald, who supplies harmonies on 'River Rise' and from Texan singer Sarah Jarosz, who joins Crosby on the title track, a classic Joni Mitchell song comparing the lifestyle of a bewildered rock star with the simpler existence of a New York busker. There are more nods to Crosby's roots on 'I Won't Stay For Long' which starts with a count-in from Beach Boy Brian Wilson and on 'Rodriguez For A Night' which is a portrait of a drugstore cowboy specially written for Crosby by Steely Dan's Donald Fagen. This track is one of the album's highlights and the song has more than a trace of Steely Dan's trademark brassy jazz-funk sound. One thing is clear right through 'For Free”' - David Crosby's continuing lust for life! Back in March, a deluxe reissue of Crosby Stills Nash and Young's 'Deja Vu' reminded the music world of Crosby's talents. 'For Free”' now reaffirms that he is still thriving!
Track Listing:-
1 River Rise (feat. Michael McDonald)2 I Think I
3 The Other Side Of Midnight
4 Rodriguez For A Night
5 Secret Dancer
6 Ships In The Night
7 For Free (feat. Sarah Jarosz)
8 Boxes
9 Shot At Me
10 I Won't Stay For Long
Band Links:-
https://davidcrosby.com/https://en-gb.facebook.com/OfficialDavidCrosby/
https://twitter.com/thedavidcrosby
Label Links:-
https://www.bmg.com/uk/https://www.facebook.com/BMGRM
https://twitter.com/BMG
https://www.facebook.com/bmgchrysalisuk
https://twitter.com/bmguk
Play in YouTube:-
Have a Listen:-
live reviews |
Lobero Theater, Santa Barbara, 8/11/2018 |
![]() |
L. Paul Mann watches David Crosby play a homecoming gig with his new band at the Lobero Theater in Santa Barbara. |
soundcloud
most viewed articles
current edition
Pennyblackmusic - Writers and Photographers' Albums of the Year 2024Pennyblackmusic - Book of the Year Award 2024
Man From Delmonte - Interview
Clive Langer - Interview
Johnnie Johnstone - Interview
Peter Perrett - In Dreams Begin Responsibilities Interview Part One
Marianne Faithfull - Reflections
Laura Nyro - Profile
Vinyl Stories - Vinyl 2024
Bob Dylan - A Complete Unknown
most viewed reviews
current edition
Ringo Starr - Look UpDorie Jackson - Stupid Says Run
Pixie Lott - Encino
Dusty Springfield - The BBC Sessions
Beabadoobee - This is How The World Moves
Unthanks - In Winter
Joan Armatrading - How Did This Happen and What Does It Mean?
Emily Burns - Die Happy
Rosie Lowe - Lover, Other
Oïmiakon - Comptoir Des Vanites
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart