BY Alexander Choman
CITIZENS' VOICE MUSIC CRITIC
10/10/2007

WILKES-BARRE - Two voices of a generation, David Crosby and Graham Nash, combined talents on Tuesday for a night of melodies and reminiscence before 1,650 people at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts.

Both making their marks in bands of significant contribution during rock music's formidable years, Nash and Crosby united first as cohorts in the legendary Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young in the late 1960s. It was, in fact, at the Woodstock Music and Arts Fair that they first appeared on stage as a unit. From then on, as they say, it's the stuff of which history is made.

Nash's buttery smooth harmony, which began anchoring the British band, The Hollies, sounds as mellifluous as ever. Likewise, despite a rather mercurial career and personal life, Crosby still has an incredible voice that meshes as one with Nash.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame duo's artistic chemistry in concert is formidable and natural. Both seem to still find territory that was either never explored or squandered in that talented foursome of which they were a part. While one immerses in their incredibly vivid artistry, it's also clear that this duo yearns for more.

While Crosby gently picks his acoustic guitar, Nash sings in vocal registries that are long out of reach for his counterparts from the same time. Their music on stage at the Kirby Center was much more than culled from a catalogue but rather reflective of a time and place that for most other musicians often seems unattainable. But not for this duo.

Tuesday night's playlist at the Kirby Center was generously dispersed from Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young staples through the duo's recordings - and even some solo work for good measure. Nash even uncovered the gem of the night with a song from his former band, The Hollies, in "King Midas In Reverse."

The duo split the performance into two parts, each chock full of songs the audience came to hear. Versions of "Marakesh Express," "Long Time Gone," "Immigration Man" and "Déjà Vu" highlighted the opening portion of the concert.

Following intermission, Crosby and Nash reworked carefully crafted renditions of "Our House," "Guinevere," "Just A Song," "Wooden Ships" and "Teach Your Children." Their vocals were amazingly strong showing very little wear to time and pristine musicianship.

Backing the duo was a talented foursome, including Crosby's son on keyboards. Noted session guitarist Dean Parks' guitar riffs filled in Neil Young's signature licks nicely - and that's saying something.

But it wasn't just the well known material the duo shined on. Offerings like "Lay Me Down," written by Crosby's son James, from 2004's under-appreciated double self-titled CD and David Crosby's "It Doesn't Matter," sounded studio perfect.

Friendship between these fellow artists has seen its share of trying times. Through it all though, Crosby and Nash have maintained an enduring partnership - a friendship, really. And the beneficiaries clearly continue to be their fan base.

Nash captured the spirit of this show succinctly early on in the night after an especially tight and memorable rendition of "Long Time Gone." "I have a feeling this is gonna be one of those special nights!"

Indeed, it was, Graham, indeed, it was.