A new name for a familiar venue. The Sage is now officially relaunched as the Glasshouse International Centre for Music. Apparently the Sage accounting software company will be sponsoring a new arena to be built at the back of the venue; hence the need for a name change. As a supporter of the venue, I was invited to a small drinks get-together prior to the show, which was a lovely touch and a great start to an evening with one of my all-time heroes, Graham Nash. So, mine was a glass of red, carer Jan’s was a glass of white and my friend Norman’s was a cool beer.
We were welcomed to the event by the Director of the Sage/Glasshouse (I will have to get used to this new name) which was a nice touch. I met, John Lyons, a photographer who had travelled from London for the event. He took a lovely photograph of me and we promised to keep in touch. Please do have a look at John’s website.
It was soon 8 PM and Graham was due on stage. This evening he performed two sets, each one comprising a mix of songs from his extensive back catalogue including tracks by the Hollies, Nash solo, Crosby, Stills & Nash and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. So he started with one of my favourites “Wasted on the Way”. A great start to a lovely evening. Then Graham explained that his old friend Alan Clarke, of Hollies fame, had recently decided to record a solo album and asked Graham to accompany him on some tracks. This was followed by the Hollies “Bus Stop” (my favourite Hollies song), “for Alan”.
Then another classic: “Marrakesh Express”, followed shortly by one of my favourite songs, this time a Nash solo track “Military Madness”. After a few more songs, Graham closed the first set with a cover of his friend Stephen Stills’ “Love The One You’re With”. Time for a swift whiskey.
Graham Nash sings well, looks sprightly and is still going strong at 81 years old! He is accompanied by a guitarist and pianist, both excellent musicians with great pedigrees. Long may he continue entertaining us. The second set contains more solo songs, the lovely “Cathedral” which he explains was written after a LSD fuelled trip in the back of a Rolls-Royce after travelling to (and into) Winchester Cathedral via Stonehenge (as you do).
Then “Just Before I Go” a song apparently written as part of a wager, which Graham won. His friend bet that he could not write a song before he left and, of course, he did so. He finishes with “Our House” telling the story of how the song was written when he had just returned home to the house which he shared with Joni Mitchell. For the encore the three musicians perform a lovely a cappella version of Buddy Holly’s “Everyday”. The closing number is another classic “Teach Your Children”.
Two omissions which would have made the concert even more perfect: “Chicago” and the Hollies’ “King Midas in Reverse” which he seems to have performed at other shows on the tour. Anyway, you can’t have everything in life these days.
Bought a signed copy of the lyrics to “Teach Your Children”. Wonderful.
On the way out I run into my old friend Pete. We go back a long way. In fact we travelled together to the incredible Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young concert at Wembley Stadium in 1974. Is it really almost 50 years ago Pete? Where did the time go? Happy days. Many happy memories. Thanks again Graham.
I am planning on attending a marathon of concerts over the next few days, so apologies if my blog entries are not as comprehensive or as speedily produced as normal 🙂
Set list (something like this): Set 1: Wasted on the Way; Bus Stop; Marrakesh Express; Find the Cost of Freedom; Military Madness; A Better Life; Buddy’s Back; Right Between the Eyes; To the Last Whale… Critical Mass/Wind on the Water; Love the One You’re With.
Set 2: Sleep Song; Cold Rain; Long May You Run; Golden Days; 4 + 20; Cathedral; Just a Song Before I Go; Our House.
Encore: Everyday; Teach Your Children
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by Lesley Griffin on September 16, 2023 at 4:08 pm
👍
Lesley Griffin
Posted by vintagerock on September 17, 2023 at 11:29 am
thanks Lesley best wishes Peter
Posted by Badfinger (Max) on September 16, 2023 at 4:33 pm
I would like to see him. I saw CSN in the 80s in Nashville and it was great. After I read Graham’s autobiography I’ve become even more of a fan.
Posted by vintagerock on September 17, 2023 at 11:28 am
Hi Max you should try and see him if you can. He puts on a great show. Happy days Peter
Posted by dcmuso on September 17, 2023 at 11:20 am
Great report, Peter. I was also at the magnificent CSN&Y Wembley concert in 1974; these days, keep on encountering people who were also there. Like myself, for those folks it was one of the most memorable music events of a lifetime.
Posted by vintagerock on September 17, 2023 at 11:25 am
I agree. It was wonderful and one of the best concerts I have ever seen. Happy days Peter
Posted by ciarant1step on September 17, 2023 at 1:34 pm
Hi Peter,
Thanks for the report on what sounds like a great night. Hard to believe that Graham Nash is 81 years old, but what a nice way to celebrate a fine legacy. I had forgotten about some of these songs. Good to be reminded of them.
(Also checked out your posts on old CSN and CSNY concerts – really glad I did – great stuff!)
Posted by vintagerock on September 17, 2023 at 2:36 pm
Hi Ciaran thanks so much for your support. Yes Graham Nash is still going strong, in great shape and great voice! Happy days Peter
Posted by Prof_Alistair on September 21, 2023 at 8:21 am
Hi Peter. Sounds like you’re on a concert roll and this one sounds like a good one. He’s coming to Adelaide next March but I’m a bit reluctant as even semi-decent tickets are around 75GBP each and I really baulk at paying those sort of prices. There was a time when you could hire the whole band for that!! 🙂 What were the prices like at The Glasshouse?
Posted by vintagerock on September 21, 2023 at 11:30 am
He was really good Alistair and worth going to see. I think I paid around £50 which is pretty average for concerts in the UK these days. Well worth it ! Happy days Peter