Crosby, Stills & Nash – Allies (1983)
Allies is a live and compilation album released in July 1983, showcasing a mix of live performances and previously unreleased tracks by Crosby, Stills & Nash. The album highlights the trio’s enduring vocal harmonies, acoustic mastery, and electric rock moments, capturing both their stage presence and the evolution of their sound through the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Album Overview
Title: Allies
Release Date: July 1983
Label: Atlantic Records
Producer: Crosby, Stills & Nash
Genre: Folk rock, soft rock, rock
Length: 41:35
Format: Vinyl, cassette, CD
Sales: Moderate commercial success, appreciated primarily by dedicated fans
The album combines live versions of classic hits with a few unreleased studio recordings, offering a retrospective of the trio’s work while emphasizing their dynamic live performances.
Tracklist
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Wasted on the Way – 3:48
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Delta – 3:27
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Chicago – 5:03
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Just a Song Before I Go – 2:28
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Guinnevere (live) – 4:38
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Southern Cross – 4:42
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Daylight Again – 4:43
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Turn Your Back on Love – 2:30
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You Don’t Have to Cry – 2:36
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Carry On – 2:30
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Blackbird (live) – 2:29
Mini Review
Allies provides a snapshot of CSN’s live and studio evolution, blending hits from the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Live tracks like Guinnevere and Blackbird capture the trio’s ethereal harmonies and acoustic precision, while studio selections such as Wasted on the Way and Southern Cross highlight their polished pop-rock sensibilities. The album is not a major studio statement, but it serves as a bridge between Daylight Again and later projects, showing the trio’s consistent musical identity.
Album Credits
David Crosby: vocals, rhythm guitar
Stephen Stills: vocals, guitars, keyboards, bass
Graham Nash: vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards
Guest Musicians:
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Craig Doerge – keyboards
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Russ Kunkel – drums
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Danny Kortchmar – guitars
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Leland Sklar – bass
Engineering: Stanley Johnston
Photography: Henry Diltz
Album Design: Gribbitt!
Fun Facts & Trivia
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Allies was released primarily to fulfill contractual obligations with Atlantic Records.
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Several tracks on the album were pulled from live shows recorded during the Daylight Again tour.
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The live version of Guinnevere had never appeared on a prior official CSN release.
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The album includes tracks spanning both reflective ballads and upbeat pop-rock, giving a broad sense of the trio’s repertoire.
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Despite not being a major commercial success, Allies remains a fan favorite for its live highlights and rarities.
Did You Know?
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The album title Allies reflects the trio’s collaborative spirit and their partnership over the years.
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Blackbird (live) captures a rare performance of a Beatles cover, showcasing the band’s folk-rock roots.
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The compilation served as a bridge for fans during a period when CSN members were focusing on solo projects and side collaborations.
Cultural Impact
Allies reinforced CSN’s reputation as masterful harmonists and versatile performers. While not a groundbreaking studio album, its live material demonstrates the trio’s enduring influence in folk-rock and harmony-driven music. The album provided a touchstone for fans eager to hear both classic hits and rare live performances in one collection.
Conclusion
Allies captures the essence of Crosby, Stills & Nash in a live and retrospective format. From the soaring harmonies of Guinnevere to the melodic Southern Cross, the album serves as both a fan collectible and a showcase of the trio’s consistent artistry through the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Full Discography
