Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – Déjà Vu Live (2008)
Déjà Vu Live is a live album released in 2008, capturing performances from the CSNY 2006–2007 tour. The album celebrates the 40th anniversary of the legendary Déjà Vu (1970) studio album while including classic hits spanning the group’s extensive career. It highlights the band’s enduring vocal harmonies, dynamic stage presence, and timeless appeal.
Album Overview
Title: Déjà Vu Live
Release Date: April 22, 2008
Label: Reprise Records
Producer: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Genre: Folk rock, rock, soft rock
Length: 77:15
Format: CD, digital download
Sales: Moderate commercial success
The album combines live renditions of Déjà Vu tracks with other fan favorites, giving listeners an authentic concert experience while showcasing the group’s legendary vocal interplay.
Tracklist
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Carry On – 2:31
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Wooden Ships – 6:15
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Déjà Vu – 4:53
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Almost Cut My Hair – 4:11
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Mississippi – 4:05
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Teach Your Children – 4:17
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Guinnevere – 4:36
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Suite: Judy Blue Eyes – 7:55
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Find the Cost of Freedom – 3:55
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Our House – 4:10
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Southern Cross – 5:02
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Helplessly Hoping – 2:39
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Ohio – 3:55
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Long Time Gone – 3:22
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Blackbird – 2:32
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Wasted on the Way – 3:28
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Love the One You’re With – 3:18
Mini Review
Déjà Vu Live captures CSNY at full strength decades after their original recordings.
Classic tracks like Suite: Judy Blue Eyes and Déjà Vu are delivered with warmth and precision, while newer live arrangements of Southern Cross and Wasted on the Way demonstrate the band’s ability to reinterpret their catalog. Neil Young’s electric guitar work adds bite and intensity, balancing the acoustic harmonies that remain the group’s trademark. Fans experience both nostalgia and renewed energy through the live performances.
Album Credits
David Crosby: vocals, rhythm guitar
Stephen Stills: vocals, guitars, keyboards, bass
Graham Nash: vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards
Neil Young: vocals, guitars, piano
Guest Musicians:
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Spooner Oldham – keyboards
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Rick Rosas – bass
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Joe Vitale – drums, percussion
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Tom Bray – horns
Engineering: Niko Bolas, Stephen Stills
Photography: Henry Diltz
Album Design: Gribbitt!
Fun Facts & Trivia
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Déjà Vu Live commemorates the 40th anniversary of the original Déjà Vu studio album.
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The live recordings were taken from multiple tour stops across North America during 2006–2007.
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Find the Cost of Freedom is performed acoustically, preserving its emotional impact as an anti-war anthem.
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Neil Young’s participation added a mix of electric and acoustic textures not present in the 1969–70 tours.
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The album includes hits spanning the band’s entire career, making it a live “greatest hits” experience.
Did You Know?
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The album’s title, Déjà Vu Live, directly references the 1970 studio album but extends beyond it to include songs from other periods.
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CSNY’s vocal harmonies on the live recordings remain remarkably precise, even 40+ years after their debut.
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The album was produced to celebrate the band’s legacy and was accompanied by the Déjà Vu Live Tour, one of the largest CSNY tours of the 2000s.
Cultural Impact
Déjà Vu Live reinforces the enduring power of CSNY’s music, proving that their harmonies and stage presence remain compelling decades after their initial rise. The album allows longtime fans to relive classic tracks in a live context while introducing new listeners to the energy of a CSNY concert. It stands as a testament to their longevity and influence in folk-rock and harmony-driven rock music.
Conclusion
Déjà Vu Live captures the magic of CSNY on stage, blending nostalgia with fresh energy. From the soaring Suite: Judy Blue Eyes to the emotionally charged Find the Cost of Freedom, the album showcases the quartet’s timeless vocal harmonies, musical skill, and stage charisma. It is an essential live collection for fans of classic folk-rock and CSNY’s storied legacy.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Full Discography
