By now, the story behind the reunion which begat
CPR is well known.
David Crosby, while awaiting a life-saving liver transplant, was found by keyboardist
James Raymond, whom
Crosby had given up for adoption years before. This would just be great People magazine rock & roll fodder if not for the great fortune that
Raymond is an incredible keyboardist whose harmonies blend in sweetly with his legendary dad's. Veteran
Jeff Pevar's crack guitar work once again helps drive these provocative pop/rock tunes, particularly on the few more aggressive tracks like "Katie Did"; elsewhere, he's a little more restrained on acoustic, and
Raymond's blues-influenced keyboard and piano playing dominated behind the powerful vocals.
Raymond also shows propensity for a jazzy riff on the solo a few minutes into the romantic funk-rocker "Map to Buried Treasure." "Breathless" and "Darkness" show the gentler, folksier, and more emotional sides of the trio. "Gone Forever" is
CPR's appealing stab at social commentary, while the harmonica-enhanced "Jerusalem" tackles spirituality. Along those lines, the gorgeous, methodical "Angel Dream" comes across as a gentle prayer. The title track is the most sparsely produced, just
Crosby's sweet voice and a swampy acoustic guitar.
CPR could have easily just capitalized on their story of origin, done one album, and tour and been relegated to the novelty bins. But this smartly conceived collection proves that father, son, and
Pevar are in it for the long adult contemporary haul. ~ Jonathan Widran