Tonight, thanks to a good friend, I got the royal treatment out at Wolf Trap. At the last minute, my friend Ben needed someone to go to the Crosby, Stills & Nash show, and hey, how can a guy turn down free seats to see good hippie rock? Did I mention they were free GOOD seats?
Yes, my friend has connections deep within the Department of the Interior and tonight we were treated to the seats in the Secretary’s box for Crosby, Stills & Nash. As we arrived, barricades were pulled aside, and we were allowed to park on the close drive about 50 feet from the entrance to the Filene Center, as opposed to at the Ben Folds concert, when the lots were so full we got to park outside the lot on the side of the road leading to Wolf Trap, about a half mile or so away.
It’s good to be the King’s nephew’s cousin’s best friend.
The concert was absolutely amazing, and while I may not agree with Graham Nash on politics, the man can sing. And while I may not exactly understand the whole Melissa Etheridge/David Crosby thing that happened a few years ago, Crosby can still play. But really, what astounded me was Steven Stills. This man is absolutely incredible. Every song he was leading tonight was off the hook. He has guitar chops that could compete with just about anyone in the music business. He has a blues/gospel soul and isn’t afraid to pay tribute to Luther Vandross in concert. He has every ability to absolutely wail on a guitar solo for about five minutes. And he’s been doing this for over 35 years.
Who’s going to be around from the music scene these days in 35 years? Dave Matthews Band, U2, these names come to mind, but it’s just incredible to think of one group of guys, playing together, for longer than I’ve been alive. That’s some dedication right there.
Highlights from the concert? Buffalo Springfield’s “What’s That Sound”, “Love the one you’re with”, and “Marrakesh Express.”
Things I will likely try to forget? Some of their more recent stuff. The song about feeding everybody just didn’t work for me.
Overall, heckuva show, great bunch of players. Thanks again to Secretary Norton for allowing us into her box at Wolf Trap, as well as thanks to Ben and Doug D for hooking us up.
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
I live and work in the District of Columbia. I write at We Love DC, a blog I helped start, I work at Technolutionary, a company I helped start, and I’m happy doing both. I enjoy watching baseball, cooking, and gardening. I grow a mean pepper, keep a clean scorebook, and wash the dishes when I’m done. Read Why I Love DC.
