throwin' his fans another bone

Thousand Roads (Atlantic)

David Crosby

By John Goodin

David Crosby has been a megastar, a prison inmate and stands to be the first person inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame twice. For a while he was a cultural icon, later a legend in his own mind. Today, he still sings, writes and plays a little guitar. He has the kind of Gift most musicians pray for.

Thousand Roads is scattered (six different studios) but it works. Eight producers including Don Was, Phil Collins, Glyn Johns and Phil Ramone contribute. Songwriters include Jimmy Webb, John Hiatt and Joni Mitchell. Many of the L.A. elite play on the tracks: Graham Nash, Jackson Browne, Leland Sklar, Craig Deorge and Bernie Leadon. Surprisingly, all this talent it used to mostly good effect. The focus stays on the songs and on Crosby's voice.

"Hero" by Collins and Crosby has gotten airplay and sounds great on the radio. Webb's "Too Young to Die" is a typical Webb gem and a perfect vehicle for Crosby's dramatic delivery. Hiatt's "Through Your Hands" is beautifully rendered. Stephen Bishop's "Natalie" closes the set wistfully. I could have done without the title track, but you might think it's great.

On the whole this is a good recording with a couple great songs/performances. If you like Crosby and have listened to his other solo efforts with pleasure, this will be a treat.