David Crosby: Remember My Name

You're getting a solid overview of his career and some moments where he mentions his regrets over what he's done, he'll say "I was awful, etc:" but not give many specific examples of how, apart from just general drug use and unreliability Still, it's well made, if only from one side. It would have been nice to hear from others too.

A.J. Eaton's documentary David Crosby: Remember My Name surprises on many levels. Hitting me in the gut the way it did was unexpected. I found it to be one of the most cathartic nonfiction films I've ever seen. What opens the door to Crosby's own arrestingly honest assessment of his life is the purity of the rapport between musician and his questioner, Cameron Crowe. Decades of earned trust between these two reap beautiful, heartbreaking candor about: loves both quick and dead, inevitable regrets, calling bullshit when you see it, and repeatedly finding one's purpose renewed in the quiet spaces between tumult.

This is not some pat whitewash of a legend. The interviews are intimate and raw, and there seems almost an urgency in Crosby to say the things that are important to him while he still has breath. There are field trips to Laurel Canyon and to Kent State, mental trips to Woodstock and to the deck of his beloved schooner, and trips through time beautifully illustrated with exceptional archival footage. Along the way there's Graham, Stephen, and Neil... Joni and Jackson. The Byrds and Dylan too. But surprisingly absent are contemporary interviews with any of them, and one might imagine this film was made in a hermetically sealed ego-driven bubble, but it doesn't at all feel that way. The filmmakers have woven third-person recollections from older documentary productions with archival images and David's current-day interviews into a rough fabric of a full life, flawed and brilliant, and contentious as hell.

Nobody has more to say about Crosby being difficult than Crosby himself, and he's haunted by the fact that, "all the guys I made music with won't even talk to me." Yet when queried if he could do it all over and have more of a normal life, the question sounds absurd as soon as it hits the air. Through myriad ups and downs, both personal and professional, one thing has remained steadfast: Crosby's belief that his musical gift must be shared.

Seasoned with rare song demos and well-worn anthems, the film frequently puts the music center stage where it belongs, reminding us of its power to effect change in a broken world or in a broken soul.

One feels the pressures of time, miles, and a lifetime of abuse of the vessel. Particularly touching are the moments with David's wife Jan, who recognizes that every time he walks out the door could be his last. The spectre of mortality looms, and yes, there are reflections on the preciousness of time and a deep appreciation for a remarkable past, but this is a film rooted in the here and now - an appreciation of what's present, authentic, and lasting. It all combines into a mix of hopeful sadness as Crosby, 77, begins a tour with a fresh band, new songs, and bills to pay... vitally pretending that creating forward is easier than looking back.

I wholeheartedly recommend this film to my musician friends, practitioners of the arts, those who adore the great music of the 1960s-70s, and to all students of the real thing.

I watched this documentary about one of the gods of folk rock, musican David Crosby, twice in a row; I never do that with a movie. The first time I watched it, I didn't like it. I couldn't see the forest for trees. Basically, the first run through made me feel sad. I was emotionally affected by witnessing this pioneer of iconic music, master of harmonies, a creative genius in my opinion, as he lamented, (in the twilight of his life), his estrangments from friend-partners and fellow legends that he created treasured classics with that moved the world.

I didn't like seeing another one of my musical heroes and activism role model, Graham Nash, lash out in anger and palpable pain. I didn't like this movie; the whole thing felt depressing and uncomfortable.

So, why did I watch it again?

Because I suspected there was a lot more value to this conversation than the initial kneejerk reaction I had let me appreciate. I respect and admire Cameron Crowe as an interviewer of my favorite rock icons and of master filmmaker Billy Wilder too. I like Cameron immensely as a person, and trusted he would handle this film about David Crosby with care, in his capable hands. And of course, I love David's music and choose to give a fresh view to his words about his life.

Unlike many other documentaries, this one gives the strongest voice directly to David, the subject, rather than being populated with talking heads filling the air with their "expert" commentaries. Crosby took this opportunity to review his life in an honest, poignant, heartbreaking, joyous, and creative way.

As a child, his father never showed him any love. He lived through music, was a pioneer of sound, admitted that he could not live without music, which he would reluctantly choose above all else, to the surprise of his loving, devoted wife, Jan Dance, who shared some raw and touching personal reflections of her own. David wondered if his absolute need for music made him selfish. His gifts are necessary for his survival, and perhaps for many of his fans as well.

On the second view, I was struck by the music. This is the music I love; the music of my childhood, my life, my heart. Additionally, in the last few years Crosby has reinvented his career with a group of young musicans to supply harmony to his wonderful words; he turned out four albums chock full of his talented, transportive brand of magic. His muse apparenly stronger than ever; his perseverence through the ravages visited upon his body and soul solidly shines.

The arc of David Crosby's career included the pinnacle of collaborative artistic perfection and arguably some of the most stunning harmonies that have ever soared on this crazy cosmic sphere. Likewise, his career and life went careening out of control through his weaknesses, addictions, drugs, anger, angst, and ego. His health and relationships suffered terribly from these strains. How dare he be human?

Jackson Browne shares the story of an intervention he helped stage for David at one of low points of this life journey. It was notably unsuccessful, thus, former friend, Graham Nash, is furious and fumes at this loss and betrayal. How, if, or why to reconcile any form of relationship is up to them. I mourn the pain they have endured, and I get lost in the celebration of the music. As the credits rolled again, I came away without judgement and revisited the absolute privilege of being a fan.

An intimate conversation with the man about music, HIS music, family, CSN, CSNY, personal weaknesses, prison, & personal growth. He discusses his passions and his values. Includes interesting portrayals of associated musicians, friends, ex-friends, ex-lovers....it is all so interesting.

Didn't know I'd be so moved by this doc. Wasn't that much of a Crosby, Stills and Nash fan and hardly knew anything about David Crosby. Not only was this a great introduction into his world in the center of the 60s and 70s rock n' roll, but this was a unique insight to a celebrity who's forthcoming and honest about what it's like to be in such a place and the effect it had on him. He's extremely up front of how he wasn't mentally prepared for such a journey and it effected the way he treated those who loved him, whether it be significant others or fellow musicians. You will never get this from a Kardashian. Director Eaton and producer Crowe really knew how to handle this gift of a subject.