David Crosby: Remember My Name

source: David Crosby: Remember My Name

David Crosby is a two-time inductee into the Rock Hall Of Fame and, without question, into its Hall of F'Ups*. Crosby has a singing voice that can harmonize with the best of them, but, just as frequently, that same mouth can spout asinine and downright offensive utterances aimed not only to his enemies, but to those closest to him. AJ Eaton's Documentary does a competent job providing an overview of Crosby's career and personal life from his beginnings, through his fame with the Byrds, Crosby, Stills, Nash (and sometimes, Young) and then his long long fall into being mostly forgotten by the mainstream (although he still tours and records music). Much of the archival footage is familiar, but, there are enough home movies and other ephemera to keep it interesting. Somewhat curiously, Crosby's solo work is given little detailed attention outside the album which gives the movie it's title: Remember My Name**. There are interviews with a few friends and his long-suffering wife Jan, but, other critical people are seen only in archival recordings (including, especially, the other members of CSNY). The heart of the Doc are intimate filmed discussions between Crosby and filmmaker Cameron Crowe, who interviewed Crosby back when he was a teen in the early 70s. Within those interviews all of the positives/negatives, engaging/off-putting and most important of all: honest/evasive poles of Crosby's personality come to the fore. There are some painfully poignant moments in the discussions where the musician talks frankly about the people in his life that he has lost and/or alienated. At one point he admits that essentially nobody he collaborated with musically over the decades will even speak to him now. Crosby is keenly aware of his mortality, and seems genuine when he marvels at his good fortune to simply be alive when so many in his orbit have passed on via the same vices he is guilty of. At the same time, the Doc never captures the anger and rage that the artist infamous for. I'm not sure if its because of Director Eaton's reluctance or a failure of Crowe to press him further. Too often, Crosby is allowed to simply deflect. It's frustrating for the viewer, but then again, its unsurprising. DAVID CROSBY: REMEMBER MY NAME is an interesting exercise, if a bit self-limiting. Still, Crosby's tenacity has to be admired. He's completed another album since this Doc was filmed and was still touring as of this writing. A survivor. * In typical Crosby fashion, he states that he wants to be inducted a third time in order to 'spite' Eric Clapton (the only person with three inductions) ** This may not be surprising since Crosby rues that he is the only member of CSNY to have never had a 'solo' hit.

Learned a lot of things that I didn't know, talks about some good times in laurel canyon and the swinging 60s and the demons that consumed him and the people he cared about,pity it weren't longer.

You're getting a solid overview of his career and some moments where he mentions his regrets over what he's done, he'll say "I was awful, etc:" but not give many specific examples of how, apart from just general drug use and unreliability Still, it's well made, if only from one side. It would have been nice to hear from others too.

You could have heard a pin drop in the theater through the entire film ... I got teary eyed, got goosebumps ... reminisced my own life with my beloved CSN. A.J. Eaton and Cameron Crowe captured David Crosby's life ... revealing his soul as they chronicle his tumultuous life. Well done on every level. Well worth seeing .... maybe even two times! Bravo. Bravo.

Ok film and it deserves a lot of credit for not falling into hagiography. Some interesting tails and perspectives. From my knowledge the CSN(Y) story is still largely untold so interesting to hear some if it told here.

Very candid and from the heart look at the life and times of one of music's most enduring characters. Very much enjoyed watching this. Think thelastminstrel has missed the link to his first solo album in the title "if I could only remember my name". I don't think the title of this is a plea that the world should remember him but acting how he does there's a joke in it somewhere for sure!

Worth listening to, as he was part of an iconic time in America. However, after his inductions into 2 halls of fame, and his friends helping him withdraw from drugs, and most especially - him saying he just wants to love - what did he do (and why) to cause everyone to hate him now???? The film is honest in so many other ways, why not this? It leaves one wondering why this film left this giant hole

Such an amazing documentary to show future generations about one of the greatest musician groups of all time.

There are some things I wish I could unwatch & this is one of them. I was always a fan of CSN&Y's music. Revealing their their personal lives is such a disappointment. So many successful artists are simply jerks. Such a lack of character & integrity. I don't think I could ever listen to their music ever again without feeling miserable. I'll do my best to forget David Crosby.