(1970)  Atlantic label.  Reissue with gatefold jacket.  Purchased new at Licorice Pizza in Riverside in 1979.  So many days and nights playing this record in my lifetime. Challenging myself to sing each part of the harmonies.  I could usually sing along with Stephen Stills and David Crosby.  Singing the Neil Young and Graham Nash vocals proved more difficult– sometimes came out a little too screechy. In fourth grade, my teacher asked me to teach the class the song  Teach Your Children.  She didn’t know the lyrics and I did.  I am not sure how I knew the lyrics– I didn’t own the record nor did my folks. I suppose from hearing the song on the radio.  I remember sitting at my desk and repeating the song several times in front of the whole class.  I wish I had a recording of that.

SIDE ONE

1. Carry On  (4:25)
2. Teach Your Children  (2:53)
3. Almost Cut My Hair  (4;25)
4. Helpless  (3:30)
5. Woodstock  (3:52)

SIDE TWO

1. Deja vu  (4:10)
2. Our House  (2:59)
3. 4 + 20  (1:55)
4. Country Girl  (5:05)
5. Everybody I Love You  (2:20)

So much has been written about these musicians over the years.  Their discord and their harmony.  Their personal lives, their solo work.  Their politics, their musical moves within the industry.  Their drug and alcohol abuse and their recovery.  Each born in the early 1940’s it bothers me greatly to accept that we are all aging together.  It is so hard to imagine rock and roll without them.

My favorite tracks on this album?  All of them.  Opening the jacket and looking at the photos inside is such a joy.  Men looked like that!  Brother in the cowboy hat was bassist Greg Reeves. Great shot of Dallas Taylor on drums.  Credited on this album are Jerry Garcia and John Sebastian and they are photographed too.  The front cover shows a sepia toned photo making them all appear to be posing for a photo during the civil war– and since this album came out during a very turbulent time in the United States, it is spot on.  You don’t get that effect on a CD or a download.  The entire package makes this album one to own and treasure.