Graham Nash does his part(s) for Morristown show

Graham Nash in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Graham Nash in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
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Graham Nash at MPAC. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Graham Nash at MPAC. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

By Kevin Coughlin

Say “Graham Nash,” and one word immediately comes to mind:

Harmony.

Graham Nash in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Graham Nash in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

It was the one element missing from an otherwise delightful evening at the Mayo Performing Arts Center on Saturday.

At 74,  Nash certainly has earned the right to sing whatever he likes, with whomever he likes.

On stage he conveys warmth, and a creative spark that keeps him writing songs like the lovely Golden Days and the angry Mississippi Burning.

His voice still sounds good. He remains passionate about causes, voicing concerns about right-wing movements here and abroad, and about the media obsession with bad news.

Shane Fontayne, who has backed Springsteen and Sting, performs with Graham Nash in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Shane Fontayne, who has backed Springsteen and Sting, performs with Graham Nash in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Nash’s set list also shows he still has passion for, and pride in, his work with Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, music that was part of our national soundtrack in the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s.

And in a nod to his earlier career with the Hollies, he opened Saturday’s concert with a neat acoustic treatment of Bus Stop.

Bridging past and present, he sprinkled in a couple of tunes from his Joni Mitchell fling, and dedicated a new one to his current flame, photographer Amy Graham.

Nash alternated between rhythm guitar, electric piano and harmonica throughout the 90-minute show. His new songwriting partner Shane Fontayne added brilliant guitar licks, making up for the absence of a full band on This Path Tonight, from the new album of the same name; and on such classics as Cathedral, To the Last Whale and Teach Your Children.

Fontayne harmonized nicely, too–on the Beatles’ Blackbird.

But there’s no substitute for CSN&Y. During Wasted on the Way, one couldn’t help remembering Nash and David Crosby together on the same stage a few years ago.  Luscious memories.

Graham Nash sings in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Graham Nash sings in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Unlike many supergroups from the last century, CSN&Y is fortunate to have all its original members still kicking, and still making music.

They are like quarrelsome brothers, Nash recently told MorristownGreen.com. And he’s through with them.

Maybe he will have a change of heart. Let’s hope these guys can muster enough harmony off-stage to create more musical magic together.

Graham Nash may not need them. But we surely do.

Shane Fontayne, left, and Graham Nash at MPAC. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Shane Fontayne, left, and Graham Nash at MPAC. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

 

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