In the 1960’s a group joined together mixing members from the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and Hollies. Since then David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash and Neil Young became the face of musical activism. CSNY: Deja Vu is a documentary/live CD that follows Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young through their 2006 North of American Freedom of Speech Tour.
The tour and documentary was the musician’s protest against the War in Iraq and the effect it’s had on general public opinion. This is Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young’s version of Lions for Lambs. It also doubles as a greatest hits album that is largely augmented one of Neil Young’s latest releases Living With War.
Musically they could not have picked better or more moving songs from any of the artists individual catalogs. They could also not have picked more personal and yet universally relatable songs. Even the protest songs from the Viet Nam period still ring true today.
One song which I personally found more moving in the live version is “Families” because this year a cousin’s unit was sent to Iraq. During the Viet Nam War, occasionally veterans would return to turned backs and hostile jeers thrown their way. “Families” is a song that is essentially saying “Support the troops even if you don’t support the war.” Neil Young starts the track saying that the song is for family of those fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan, and gave a simple but necessary message while dedicating the song to veterans as well. “We are your family.”
In a time that almost perfectly mimics the time of the Viet Nam war, there is nothing more necessary than a message of peace, unity and freedom, some of the tenants that America has touted in the past. Deja Vu is that necessary message. It is also another message necessary for times like now where apathetic, cynical youths are backing out of involvement with causes that are much larger than themselves and “the good life.” Getting involved to do the right thing, regardless of whether or not the movement is successful, is what’s important.
Buy the CD and see the documentary. It is one of those things that is necessary. Enjoy.