David Crosby has a golden voice and has had a storied career as part of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, and the Byrds, having sung or written songs that were the soundtrack of the Woodstock generation. Even if you don’t know his name, you recognize some of his songs. You have to admire his talent but as a person, David Crosby is less admirable and more complicated, as interviewer Cameron Crowe reveals in the first-rate documentary DAVID CROSBY: REMEMBER MY NAME.
The title is apt, as one of the first thing that comes up when others talk about the singer/songwriter is his ego. Cameron Crowe is the producer, not the director, of this documentary but he is the perfect choice as interviewer, since he has known Crosby since his days as a rock journalist in the ’60s, and parts of Crowe’s semi-autobiographical film ALMOST FAMOUS is based on that experience. The documentary’s director is A.J. Eaton, who lets Crowe draw out Crosby, while offering us a wealth of archival footage and background material on a remarkable time, a remarkable career and a complicated man.
Like him or not, there is no denying David Crosby has had a storied career. Blessed with a beautiful singing voice and a gift for songwriting, Crosby was a member of the Byrds, then a founding member of Crosby, Stills, and Nash, who shot to fame after Woodstock. Crosby knew immediately that his voice was the perfect match for Graham Nash’s, and the two created thrilling harmonies on hit after hit, including “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,” “Our House,” “Wooden Ships” and “Guinevere.” The addition of singer/songwriter Neil Young created the super group Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. The groups’ songs gave the ’60s and early ’70s much of its signature soundtrack, including the Kent State political lament “Ohio.”
You don’t have to remember the ’60s to enjoy this marvelous documentary. DAVID CROSBY: REMEMBER MY NAME takes us on a musical trip through some of the most important cultural moments of the Sixties, with concert footage featuring many of the songs, and putting the songs and the bands in perspective of the era and of Crosby’s life. It is an enjoyable and enlightening journey.
To its credit, the film does not shy away from or gloss over the central fact that, as talented as he is, David Crosby has a reputation as, well, a jerk. Yet on camera in this film, Crosby is charming, engaging and a natural storyteller. The legendary musician talks about other rock and folk music greats of the era, praising Jerry Garcia and Bob Dylan, and revealing his personal dislike of The Doors’ Jim Morrison. Crosby’s eloquence and frankness make the interviews with him one of the most engrossing parts of this film.
But another thing we quickly learn about the singer/songwriter – from other interviewees – is that he is famously prickly and has legendary temper. We don’t see the temper but we do see some of the prickly, difficult personality, although maybe less than would have been the case with another interviewer. With Cameron Crowe, whom he has known so long, Crosby is relaxed. He seems honest and open, although not always with good insight on himself. However, the film offers some insights, through background on Crosby’s family and upbringing, and also covers his current musical career, touring with younger musicians and making new music, while he faces declining health and his own mortality.
While the documentary has a lot of footage of Crosby, his wife, and interviews with some fellow musicians, others are notably absent. There is a little bit of interview footage with Roger McGuinn of the Byrds, with Neil Young and Graham Nash of CSNY but none with Stephen Stills, who only appears in concert footage and archival shots. Crosby mentions a daughter from whom he is estranged, and past lovers such as Joni Mitchell, but they also are absent from interviews.
There is, however, a great deal of fabulous concert footage and archival stills that recaps Crosby’s storied career, and the ups-and-downs of his personal life. Crosby ultimately comes across as someone who is often his own worse enemy, with a capacity to alienate those closest to him, yet lucky enough to have found happiness with his beloved, supportive wife Jan. Crosby is frank about his many affairs and his drug usage, including the heroin addiction that sent him to jail, an ordeal that helped him kick that habit. His band mates, including Graham Nash, were there for him when he got out of prison, along with his now-wife Jan. Jan is still with him but his former band mates no longer speak to him. There is a story there that interviewer Cameron Crowe skirts around, trying to tease it out, yet Crosby remains enigmatic.
This is an insightful, intriguing documentary about a talented but flawed man, as well as a essential and entertaining musical journey through a pivotal era. No matter what you think of David Crosby personally, this musical journey is a long strange trip well worth taking.
DAVID CROSBY: REMEMBER MY NAME opens Friday, Aug. 16, at Landmark’s Plaza Frontenac Cinema.
RATING: 4 out of 4 stars
