Greatest Hits

It should go without saying that CSN's "Greatest Hits" package (making the redundant "So Far" and "Replay" even more redundant) would have all the hits, and of course it does. You name it, odds are it's here, and the running order doesn't really make you miss what might be missing. Of course the opener is "Suite Judy Blue Eyes" (though I prefer the mix on the box set with the drums throughout the track). "Our House." "Teach Your Children." "Southern Cross." "Shadow Captain." All the goodies.
I hear people complaining about the lack of any Neil Young songs on this CD, which would defeat the purpose in the first place. Even Neil admits that CSN and CSNY are like two different bands, and the funny thing is, I've always considered him to be like a fifth wheel when playing with CSN. His talents are wasted, for one thing. For another, with the (possible) exception of "Helpless", he hasn't really given CSNY any really worthy material..at least none to match the caliber of Stills' or Nash's. So you don't really miss him here.
My only big complaint is that the package ignores material post "Daylight Again", which insinuates that the trio has done nothing of worth since. Not so. The addition of tracks like "Only Waiting For You" or "Camera" (off of "After The Storm", which for me is right up there with the first album and "CSN" in my opinion) would not only make the compilation more comprehensive but an improvement. Keep in mind that Graham Nash assembled this package personally.
Bottom line, for those who want a CSN complilation of more substance than "So Far", yet not as vast as the box set (which had way too much Crosby and Nash and not enough Stills and Young, as far as I'm concerned) you not only want this CD, you NEED it. Also, as great as the original remastered albums sound, this sounds even better! On "Judy Blue Eyes", for example, they sound like they're playing the thing right there in front of you. However, the remastered sound also brings out some of the production deficiencies; i.e. the massively overdubbed "Carry On" sounds like it was massively overdubbed. Which it was, of course (Stills as 'Captain Manyhands') but the multitude of guitars and vocals sound more natural on "Deja Vu." But I'm just nitpicking, maybe (I'm also a musician and producer myself, so there you go.)
In short, I liked this better than Neil Young's own long-overdue greatest hits package.

In their heyday, Crosby, Stills and Nash could have been singled out as the most important figureheads of the music driven, politicized hippie movement. They were counterculture leaders whose unity as a group strengthened their individual images, while serving as an example of the bond that ultimately eluded hippie culture. They were musicians who could openly admit that they also loved each other as friends, a quality that is unique and, to today's cynical culture, sadly quaint. Anybody interested in late `60s alternative pop culture does not know half of the story if they don't know the music of Crosby, Stills and Nash, and this Greatest Hits collection does an excellent job of presenting some of this band's finest moments.
My only regret with this disk is the decision to exclude all of their work with Neil Young - particularly their stellar recording of "Helpless" - but I can understand the reasoning, since Young's presence here would have deflected attention from the core trio and may have forced the necessity for a two-disk retrospective. As it is, Greatest Hits consolidates the best material from four separate CD releases, 1969's classic, eponymous debut album, 1970's "Déjà Vu", "77's "CSN" and 1982's "Daylight Again." All four albums are worth owning in their entirety but if you buy this CD, you're still doing all right - all but three tracks from the debut album appear here, while the truly best songs from "CSN" and "Daylight Again" are compiled here quite nicely. Only "Déjà vu" is short-changed, not just because of the afore-mentioned disregard for Neil Young's input, but also because of missing classics like Crosby's "Almost Cut My Hair", and Stills' chilling acoustic tune "4 + 20" - if only they had cut Nash's hopelessly dated and frankly embarrassing hippie-pop tune "Marrakesh Express" for either of these, but so much for the griping.
The good bits here far outweigh the shortcomings. Hearing the artistry of Stephen Stills in this context only makes me wonder why he never achieved the universal appeal of his lifelong friend Neil Young. His songwriting is nothing short of stunning throughout this collection, while his tasteful musicianship and multi-cultured, blues-y feel makes everything he touched sound timeless. "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" is a masterpiece for the ages, while "Southern Cross" is a textbook example of perfectly executed song construction. Crosby and Nash have their moments, too, particularly on Nash's intense indictment of organized faith entitled "Cathedral" and Crosby's lush, textural "Shadow Captain." "Wooden Ships" contained a semi-political anti-war message that sidesteps confrontation by utilizing a cinematic approach, which keeps it sounding fresh over three decades later. The pleasant lilt of "Teach Your Children" has also aged well, probably because of the fabulous pedal steel guitar part that is played by none other than Jerry Garcia (who never liked the way he played pedal steel and eventually - regrettably - abandoned the instrument). Their career together was sporadic, full of stops and starts, but this collection proves that what they lacked in continuity, they more than made up for with quality. If judged by the majority of songs on this collection, then it is easy to recognize that Crosby, Stills and Nash are truly one of the most important and relevant bands of their generation. A- Thomas Ryan

This remastered collection of "CSN"*Greatest Hits truly pays tribute to a band that will last forever. Nineteen classics grace this album and the re-mastering is amazing. Every song sounds fresh, from the seven-and-a-half minute, "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" to the anthemic, "Carry On/Questions". Of course, the clever ditties of "Our House" and "In My Dreams" are not forgotten and memories flow back with, "Marrakesh Express" and "Teach Your Children". The booklet is full of colorful collages and there is a complete rundown of each songs writer, vocalists and band player. There are an amazing number of famous studio musicians listed as well. Event the dates of each songs recording are included. The only real surprise is the tribute to `Mama' Cass Elliot, "without whom most of this music may never have been made". Good job to Graham Nash and Joel Bernstein for compiling this masterpiece.

Though I own all CSN on vinyl, I'm used to hearing these songs,esp. the first album, in a certain order since every song is etched into my soul, this is a really nice set. Like being at at a CSN concert,they each take turns doing their own songs. I really like this CD compliation. The sound has been cleaned up not once ,but twice and it's really nice not to hear a crackle hiss or pop like my two LP's of each album that I wore out. In the old days, like the rumours that Paul was dead, we used to think these guys were from outerspace because no humans could do harmonies this tight and still be human. The liner notes were nice to read since we had never been officially told who played what on the original liner notes that had the words. They did leave out a song or two I would have added but the CD clocks in at 78 minutes so they ran out of room. I'd forgotten that Stephen had played every instrument on Judy Blue Eyes, which was written to Judy Collins who, along with Joan Baez were the hippest, hippy chicks of our revolutionary generation. Another of the greatest hippy chicks was Joni Mitchell of course, but that's another review. Stephen did most of the instruments on the whole original 1st LP. All the overdubbing hiss is gone. Graham's song "Just A Song Before I Go" and every other song was so nice to hear after not hearing it for so long. David's songs are chilling Crosby classic's he used to write before too much freebase stole his soul for a while. I speak from experience because the same $hit stole my soul for a while , too. He and Graham are back with a new duet album that sounds like they never left. Stephen also has a new CD that confirms he's BACK! With old consorts like Joe Vitale,who helped Joe Walsh do his best songs,Rocky Mtn Way,for example.Stephen has created another classic solo CD. If you're a Stephen fan you should own it along with this really nice set.

This compilation is the one that I have been waiting for for quite some time. In the past, we had to settle with "So Far" which of course didn't have anything from the later albums. This cd redresses that problem very well from the very nice cardboard packaging to the great booklet with liner notes to the very well remastered sound.

The track selections are also great except that some vital tracks from "Deja Vu" appear to be missing but that's okay if you get the remastered version of "Deja Vu" as well to compensate. CSN's music still sounds very good today with their beautiful harmonies and great songwriting, this is a must have in any music-lover's collection. Highly recommended!