Graham Nash: An Intimate Evening of Songs and Stories

Perth Concert Hall JJJJ

Afforded legendary billing thanks to his time in The Hollies and various incarnations of the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young folk-rock juggernaut, not to mention any number of classic tracks that have resonated with artists beyond his own recording, Graham Nash retains visible passion, a devoted romantic, yet also still an angry, outspoken dissident. Unwilling to pull punches in his disgusted assessment of Donald Trump, the Blackpool-born singersongwriter retains a lovehate relationship with the America he calls home.

Backed by keyboardist Todd Caldwell and Shane Fontayne, former guitarist for Bruce Springsteen, the charged indignation of Immigration Man and

Military Madness seem as current as ever, the harmonies on the latter crystalline, the 76-year-old’s lead vocal undiminished. There was plenty of wry reflection on David Crosby and his productive yet difficult collaborations with his volatile former bandmate, but also touching mention of Joni Mitchell and her recovery from brain aneurysm, cemented with a beautiful rendition of Our House.

Though a CSN standard, Marrakesh Express retains vestiges of the psychedelia that created it and a hugely respectful cover of The Beatles’ A Day in the Life remained soulful right up until Fontayne’s thunderous final chord. The gentle Myself at Last is, admittedly, a little treacly. And the eco-warrior tub-thumping of Wind on the Water, with its mawkish lyrics and keening guitar, was floridly sentimental. But a crowdpleasing encore, featuring an a cappella rendition of Buddy Holly’s Everyday and closing with the evergreen Teach Your Children brought successive standing ovations.