Music Review of Songs from the Past
Traction in the Rain (If I Could Only Remember My Name, Atlantic Records, 1971)
David Crosby plays his Martin guitar like a harp on this song — the sharp harmonies are typical of the Martin sound that Gibson guitars lack —that’s how I learned that bass notes from Gibsons are good for the Blues, whereas high notes from Martins excel in Folk. David and his Martin, they found the rain notes — soft, quiet, comfortable rain, that pours gentle and inspiring notes on the lake — yes, you are in front of it — while you are listening to this song you are actually contemplating the music being water, shaped as the lake of your inner visions. David Crosby’s voice sweeps, but it is good to cry when it’s so beautiful — your tears are water, they may be notes too.