David Crosby

Sky Trails

The master songsmith of the Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash has still got it, as this year’s Sky Trails long player attests. This moving and beautifully arranged collection of songs ranges from on-target critiques of corrupt politics in Trump-era America to an intimate cover version of what is arguably Joni Mitchell’s finest song, Amelia (go ahead and argue, she’s written so many wonderful songs). What joins all together is Crosby’s grizzled yet harmonious vocal presence and a pervading grace that imbues the album with tremendous poise and poignancy. With cameo guitar spots from Steely Dan session ace Dean Parks and others as an extra hook, Sky Trails is an album that lingers in the memory and does what all great songwriting ought to: provokes questions, stirs deep emotions and exhibits a deep level of musicianship in its performances. While perhaps not a major work in his tremendous back catalogue, Sky Trails amply proves that Crosby still warrants his place in rock’s stratosphere.