CPR (Crosby, Pevar and Raymond), just wrapped up a six week US and European Tour on the heels of their second studio release Just Like Gravity, thrilling old and new fans alike with their self branded Music for the Heart.

While David Crosby fronts this band, any misconceptions that CPR is Crosby with a backing band showcasing his music should be swept away. CPR is truly a band, a collective creative collaboration; probably more so, top to bottom, than any other group Croz has been in.

While the core creative trio consists of David Crosby on vocals and rhythm guitar, Jeff Pevar on lead guitars and vocals, and James Raymond on keyboards and vocals, even drummer Steve DiStansilo and bassist Andrew Ford are three plus year veterans of this rock solid and immensely talented ensemble. And while often referred to as a "side project" of Crosby’s, my observations tell me this band is his major musical focus. Two solid studio records of original collaborations and two live CD releases in three years' time. Couple that with the fact that he’s making some of the best music of his illustrious career with his son, James Raymond and Jeff Pevar, his good friend of ten years. What could be better? With that gleam in his eye and the passion and enthusiasm he emanates when they play, David is clearly loving this project. The melding of talent is awesome, a fully developed signature sound, soaring three-part harmonies, complex chord changes and marvelous arrangements, all highlighted by a lyrical sophistication of thoughtful maturity in their songs about love, both romantic and spiritual love, often blurring the two into one - as true love should be.

This year's live outings featured songs from Just Like Gravity, making up about half the set list. From the soulful and bittersweet "Eyes To Blue," to the joyful abandon of "Map To Buried Treasure" and "Jerusalem," to the stark beauty of Croz’s solo cut "Gravity," (which is pure goose bumps), they delivered abundantly.

"Katie-Did," an upbeat Pevar/Crosby rocker and CPR’s first single release from Just Like Gravity, prompted the first of many raucous standing ovations of the night. It is also receiving broad radio appeal. "Gone Forever," like "Somebody Else's Town" from their earlier self titled debut CD, features a pounding mantric rhythm, wrapped in a wall of sound, but with lead vocals split between Croz and James.

They scattered only a small handful of older Crosby gems like "Deja Vu," with soaring solos by both Jeff and James, and a jazzed up "Long Time Gone," as well as a couple more obscure surprises from David's cult classic first solo release, If Only I Could Remember My Name. He set a tone of joyous celebration by opening the show with "Music is Love," and a little later with "Tamalpais High," complete with a horn synth solo by James.

Ever a foremost mouthpiece of activism in music for 35 years and a pioneer of new ideas in music and lifestyle, David often refers to himself as lucky. Lucky to have survived his life's path walking the razor's edge, and lucky to have found his son, James. Luck, however, plays no apparent role in his musical genius, and his recognition of talent and sensibility of what works musically.

Crosby’s vocal range, from the soft, silky-smooth, to the powerful billowing, he’s always right there, pushing his voice to new heights and depths of emotion. But that magical disappearing trick he pulls with the middle harmony, strongly present but so well blended it’s impossible to separate....that’s spine tingling.

Jeff Pevar has played with everyone from Ray Charles to Bonnie Raitt, Joe Cocker and Jackson Browne, and more recently with bands like Jazz is Dead and Phil & Friends, just to name a small fraction. He is a chameleon extraordinaire, capable of blending into the musical fold of any genre. With a strong blues foundation and a tasty jazz tinged slant, in a single solo he will build from haunting oceanic soundscapes to burning, ripping leads. Add his acoustic picking arrangements, as well as his proficient slide work, and he has become one of the most sought after session and touring guitarists in the biz. A marvel to watch, he is always capable of dropping jaws or turning backbones to noodles.

James Raymond, a genius as both keyboardist and composer, is an immense talent who, like his counterparts, is constantly pushing the envelope with his unique jazz arrangements, as well as being an outstanding vocalist and lyricist. An established session and touring player long before he met David, his real father, (an amazing and now well publicized story in itself), James has also written numerous TV and film scores.

This new music is rich and delicious, something you can really sink your teeth into, leaving a long lasting, fulfilling aftertaste. Its depth promises constant renewed inspiration for the heart.

Check out www.crosbycpr.com and www.pevar.com for more info on David Crosby and CPR.

Article & photographs (C) 2001 - Tim Owen