Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, June 12, 1990                   TAG: 9006120182
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: E-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: TRACY WIMMER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

CROSBY, STILLS & NASH SCORE WITH OLD AND NEW MUSIC

While some 6,900 of 7,200 available seats were sold at the Roanoke Civic Center coliseum Monday night, Crosby, Stills & Nash kept most of the audience on its feet throughout the two-hour concert.

CSN came onto the stage at 8:20 p.m. with an up-tempo version of "Love The One You're With" that sent the crowd into a frenzy. The trio was backed by a minimal band and an elaborate stage show that centered on a back-lit panel that constantly changed images from stained glass to ship portholes.

Stealing the show early on was Stephen Stills, who looked strangely like David Gilmour. After an electric-guitar assault on the title cut from "Live it Up," the band's soon-to-be released album, and an acoustic release on "Wasted on the Way," Stills was quickly forgiven for thinking he was in Charlotte, N.C., early on in the concert and making jokes about Sen. Jesse Helms.

Graham Nash shined throughout the evening, but was strongest on "Our House" and "Cathedral," a number that was no less than a spectacle, no less than surreal.

Crosby, looking like a jolly teddy bear, tore the audience up with bluesy numbers he wrote while serving time in a Dallas prison a few years back for cocaine and gun possession. The crowd again leaped to its feet after an emotional number Crosby dedicated to his wife, who was standing behind the speakers.

CSN took a break at 9:10 p.m. but came back 20 minutes later with just acoustic guitars. Throughout the evening, the three genuinely seemed to be enjoying themselves with the occasional exception of Stills, who seemed to be suffering from a cold or cough.

"Midnight Rider," "Wooden Ships," and the reggae-influenced "Got To Keep Open" were among the other crowd-pleasers.

If Monday's concert was any indication, "Live It Up" is a release worth purchasing. Another favorite off that album was "If Everybody Had A Heart," penned by J.D. Souther.

To be congratulated is Roanoke native Joe Patelli, who did an incredible job on drums.

CSN performed two encores, including "Southern Cross," "Woodstock" and "Teach Your Children," a song that had the audience singing louder than the band.

"Ya'll are absolutely the greatest audience we've had yet," Stillssaid of the 2-week-old tour. "And I guarantee we will remember Roanoke, Va."

I guarantee Roanoke will remember CSN.