Album of the Day

Though his most famous recordings are those he cut with The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash, David Crosby could also conjure musical magic on his own, and his IF I COULD ONLY REMEMBER MY NAME is filled with haunting beauty. Crosby's matchless vocals evoke a wide variety of moods here, even in the absence of lyrics ("Song With No Words (Tree With No Leaves)"). The album's nine tracks were recorded in San Francisco, and members of Bay Area kingpins the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane appear in support roles - the collection is a postcard from the California of the early 1970s, its sunshine tempered by uncertainty. Crosby's solo debut was released 45 years ago today, and IF I COULD ONLY REMEMBER MY NAME is well worth remembering.