Update: Read the album review here.
David Crosby’s new album For Free, is out July 23rd via BMG and today, he spoils us with two collaborative songs from the album. With the title track ‘For Free‘ he is joined by multiple GRAMMY-winner Sarah Jarosz. As Danny Neill highlighted in his review of Jarosz’s World On The Ground, she is more than happy to venture outside the folk and roots circles we’ve grown acquainted with – from “funky rootsy Prince covers to nailing a definitive version of a Tom Waits classic”. Crosby certainly picked a winner to join him on this piano-led number cover of a Joni Mitchell classic. This is really something else and stays true to the original, maintaining that Laurel Canyon vibe we still love to hear. Nailed it…
“Joni’s the greatest living singer/songwriter, and ‘For Free’ is one of her simplest,” notes Crosby. “It’s one of my favorite songs because I love what it says about the spirit of music and what compels you to play.”
‘Rodriguez For A Night‘, not surprisingly, heads into funkier ground, a co-write between Crosby, Donald Fagen and For Free producer (and Crosby’s son) James Raymond. “Steely Dan’s my favorite band and I’ve admired Donald a long time, so that was a thrill for us,” Crosby says of his collaboration with Fagen.
There’s an infectious groove carved through this number, a “sharply detailed portrait of outlaws, angels, and drugstore cowboys”. Just between these two tracks, Crosby delivers variety by the bucket load…imagine what the album’s going to be like!
For Free draws much of its power from the rarefied chemistry between Crosby and Raymond. “Can you imagine what it’s like to connect with your son and find out that he’s incredibly talented—a great composer, a great poet, and a really fine songwriter and musician all around?” Crosby asks. “We’re such good friends and we work so well together, and we’ll each go to any length to create the highest-quality songs we can.”
For Free is out 23 July via BMG
Pre-Order: Amazon
Photo Credit: Anna Webber