David Crosby: Remember My Name
July 23rd, 2019
MOVIE: DAVID CROSBY: REMEMBER MY NAME
STARRING: DAVID CROSBY; GRAHAM NASH; CAMERON CROWE; NEIL YOUNG
DIRECTED BY: A.J. EATON
AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 3 ½ STARS (Out of 4)
There is a comment made by David Crosby in his new documentary that will stick in my head for a long time. Crosby states, “Time is the only currency that matters.” The two-time Rock N’ Roll hall of fame inductee could not be more right about that. Everything else in life, more and more, just seems to be complete bullshit. Work. Bills. Possessions. Fortune & fame. It all matters little when we arrive at the point in life where we might not exist anymore. For Crosby, he has lived as full a life as it gets, but as A.J. Eaton’s new documentary- David Crosby: Remember My Name– proves, the singer/songwriter reveals that he has a lot of demons that drag him down, but an appreciation for every moment he has left on this planet. When the time comes, Crosby can at least be proud that he has left us his sweet, sweet music.
It has already been a spectacular year for documentaries, Ask Dr. Ruth, Hail Satan?, and Meeting Gorbachev all highlight a strong year. It’s even better for music docs, considering a few weeks ago I was praising Echo in the Canyon, the Andrew Slater film that highlighted the sound that arose out of Laurel Canyon. Following quickly behind is this documentary, from producer Cameron Crowe, which has plenty of moments praising the music of Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young, but this is a deeper look at one person- David Crosby. From his humble beginnings growing up in California, his arrival in music with The Byrds, his relationship with Joni Mitchell, his fractured friendships with his bandmates, and his health. It all amounts to quite a life.
For the music portion, there will be plenty to enjoy for fans of CSN or CSNY, including images, interviews, live sessions, and needle drops of the hits. In the end of it all, it is the music of David Crosby that will keep him going. He is asked, point blank, “if you didn’t have the music do you think you would have kept on going?”, his response is a whispery, deeply thought out “no”. That’s because the music keeps him going. Crosby has survived a liver transplant from hepatitis C, diabetes, eight, count them, eight stints in his heart. A trip to prison, addiction, sobriety, and still stands up there on stage, standing in the light, singing his music.
I don’t think David Crosby: Remember My Name is just for music buffs either. I believe this is a film that examines how one should look inward at themselves and how being open about your flaws can bring you peace. It seems that Crosby has reached this point in life. That’s not to say he does not have his problems. The friendships he had with Graham Nash, Stephen Stills, and Neil Young are non-existent. Judging by comments made, a peace offering is nowhere in the future. Maybe that is just how things are supposed to be for him. This might be the chapter where he goes about it alone. Either way, he is finding solace in his final act.
David Crosby: Remember My Name is for fans of old and for new fans to discover. In the end, we are always going to have an imprint in our minds, and our hearts, that David Crosby has left. He’s still going strong, belting out those sweet melodies, one show at a time, because he wants us to always remember his name. Hard to forget, he’s David Crosby, one of the biggest rock music legends of all time.
3 ½ STARS
Written by: Leo Brady
leo@amovieguy.com
