FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CSNY: Déjà Vu LIVE
ALBUM TO BE RELEASED THIS MONTH
FREEDOM OF SPEECH 2006 TOUR RECORDING OUT IN CONJUNCTION WITH DOCUMENTARY FILM
CSNY: Déjà Vu LIVE is a sixteen track audio companion to CSNY: Déjà Vu, the new documentary film directed by Neil Young that opens in theaters at the end of this month. The album will be released by Reprise Records on July 22nd and serves as the film's de facto soundtrack.
The film chronicles Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's 2006 North of American Freedom of Speech Tour that focused on the musicians' stand against the War in Iraq and the impact that conflict has had on public opinion. While the documentary deals with the interaction between the band, audience, media and general population, the album includes full-length versions of songs that are heard as excerpts in the film. In some ways, the album serves as a kind of live greatest hits collection augmented by key songs from Young's earlier, controversial Living With War album. It offers the listener an opportunity to experience the legendary group's repertoire through the prism of contemporary conflict. In the film, songs from the tour are woven together with archival material, news footage, and audience reaction and observations, as issues surrounding the integration of politics and art are examined and observed.
The performances are presented as they happened, with no overdubs, making CSNY: Déjà Vu LIVE nothing less than exactly what its title indicates, a rarity these days when most "live" albums are tweaked to perfection in post-production. The only instance of "studio magic," so to speak is a 100 voice choir which was recorded prior to the tour at Capitol Records Studios in Hollywood. Concert audiences heard the choir's performance piped into concert venues so that aspect is retained in the album as it serves to replicate the actual concert experience.
In a recent Billboard interview, Young who produced the album with filmmaker L.A. Johnson explained the idea behind the approach. "It really is CSNY. It's not overdubbed, There's no fixes. It's straight from the board. The basic mixes are the mixes that people heard when we were playing it," Young explained. "So it's got rough spots all the way through it, which I think is refreshing, especially considering the subject matter. It is what it is, and that's the message of the music." Backing musicians who performed on the tour and heard on the album include Rick Rosas (bass), Chad Cromwell (drums), Spooner Oldham (keyboards), Ben Keith (pedal steel) and Tom Bray (trumpet). 100 Voices Choir was conducted by Darrell Brown and Rosemary Butler.
Since the group's inception in the 1960's, joining elements of the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and Hollies, its members have been icons of musical activism. The film and the album are extensions of that CSNY tradition that continues to this day. David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash and Neil Young have all been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Crosby was inducted as part of the Byrds and, separately, for his role in Crosby, Stills & Nash; Stills was inducted for his role in both the Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash, Nash was inducted as a founding member of Crosby, Stills & Nash and Neil Young was inducted as part of Buffalo Springfield and as a solo artist.
The film CSNY: Déjà Vu is in theatres and offered as video on demand on July 25, released through Lionsgate.
CSNY: Déjà Vu Live track listing (song writers)
1. What Are The Names (David Crosby)
2. Living With War Theme (Neil Young)
3. After The Garden (Neil Young)
4. Military Madness (Graham Nash)
5. Let's Impeach The President (Neil Young)
6. Déjà Vu (David Crosby)
7. Shock and Awe (Neil Young)
8. Families (Neil Young)
9. Wooden Ships (David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Paul Kantner)
10. Looking For A Leader (Neil Young)
11. For What Its Worth (Stephen Stills, Richard Furay)
12. Living With War (Neil Young)
13. Roger And Out (Neil Young)
14. Find The Cost of Freedom (Stephen Stills)
15. Teach Your Children (Graham Nash)
16. Living With War Theme (Neil Young)
**CSNY: Déjà Vu Screenings**
Oregon Portland Sep. 5, 2008 Cinema 21 Theatre
Oregon Bend Aug. 26, 2008 Tower Theatre
Florida St. Petersburg Beach Aug. 1, 2008 The Beach
Washington DC Jul. 25, 2008 E Street Cinema
California Berkeley Jul. 25, 2008 Shattuck
California LA, West Side Jul. 25, 2008 The Landmark
California San Diego Jul. 25, 2008 Hillcrest Cinemas
California San Diego Jul. 25, 2008 La Jolla Village Cinemas
California San Francisco Jul. 25, 2008 Embarcadero Center Cinema
California Santa Cruz Jul. 25, 2008 Nickelodeon
Colorado Denver Jul. 25, 2008 Mayan Theatre
Georgia Atlanta Jul. 25, 2008 Midtown Art Cinemas 8
Illinois Chicago Jul. 25, 2008 Landmark's Century Centre Cinema
Pennsylvania Philadelphia Jul. 25, 2008 Ritz at the Bourse
Washington Seattle Jul. 25, 2008 Egyptian Theatre
UK Release**
Neil Young's new film CSNY Deja Vu comes to UK cinemas on July 18th.
Also available from July 18th on Film Flex in Movies On Demand on Virgin Media
The war in Iraq is the backdrop as the CSNY "Freedom of Speech Tour" crisscrosses North America. The film examines the band's connection to its audience in both political and musical terms, and examines the relationship between Vietnam-era anti-war sentiment and today's post-9/11 environment. A Vietnam veteran sums it all up: "It's deja vu all over again."
"One of the finest music documentaries in recent memory… a resounding success"
Time Out ****
"An exceptional rockumentary...riveting!"
Empire ****
Featuring: David Crosby, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Steven Colbert
Short Synopsis:
The war in Iraq is the backdrop as the CSNY "Freedom of Speech Tour" crisscrosses North America.The film examines the band's connection to its audience in both political and musical terms, and examines the relationship between Vietnam-era anti-war sentiment and today's post-9/11 environment. A Vietnam veteran sums it all up: "It's deja vu all over again."
Long Synopsis:
Since their debut in the late 'sixties, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young have functioned as the "town criers" of their generation. With songs like "Ohio" and "Find the Cost of Freedom", CSNY were in the forefront of Vietnam-era protest and anti-war sentiment. Though fondly remembered for their harmonies and love songs, the band has never lost their political edge.
"CSNY: Deja Vu" finds the band heading out on their "Freedom of Speech 2006" of North America, featuring music from Neil Young's controversial "Living With War" CD. With "Embedded" reporter Mike Cerre aboard, the film documents audience reactions to the music and the band's ongoing connection with its fans, all against the backdrop of the Iraq/Afghanistan War.The film also examines events surrounding the Tour in the crucial election season of 2006.
Songs from the tour are woven together with archival material, news footage, and audience reaction and observations, as the film examines the issues surrounding the integration of politicsand art.
About the Director:
Bernard Shakey is the autocratic Svengali behind a series of films featuring Neil Young.His films include (Journey Though The Past, Rust Never Sleeps, Human Highway, greendale). His company name, Shakey Pictures, provides an apt description of the relationship between the director and Mr. Young.
