CSNY / Deja Vu

The sparse musical offering on this dvd begs the question, "How many times can, or will you, watch this documentary?" The answer should figure into your purchasing decision. Currently, it's available for $9.99, a relatively reasonable price--not much of a financial loss--for an item that might not have a lasting shelf life in your collection. Video dvds require undivided attention and a considerable block of time, unlike audio media (I've gone through no less than 25 versions of the Deju Vu album and various tapes), where you're able to engage in several activities simultaneously.

"Woodstock" and "Gimme Shelter" are two of the best rock 'n' roll documentaries ever created, but how many times can you watch them and expect the same entertainment value? This is the problem with the CSNY dvd. Personally, I'd prefer to see a CSNY performance, and I'm hoping Nash continues to oversee their archive projects because he's intent on clearing out the garage,(Neil isn't the only one with a garage) and making the material available to the public.

Although CSNY, apparently, weren't too enthused about their 1974 tour performances, I hope they remember that 60,000 people packed those arenas and stadiums on a nightly basis, enjoying those 3-hour performances, mistakes and all. By anybody's account, that is a significant number of people, worth exploiting in terms of marketing potential. It's a win/win situation, a marketing maverick's dream.

For the sake of CSNY fans everywhere, including me, I sincerely hope Obama's presidency is successful. I cringe at the thought of another DVD from CSNY (Deja Vu Two: The No Hope Tour) in protest of the next administration, but, maybe then, and only then, they'll return to making music! Father time permitting.

roger barone/photosfromphilly

Oh My God.....Please...Remember these guys the way they WERE....The exception being Neil Young, who is still plenty relevant....If you're looking for music, there isn't much here....Lots of social commentary....I am in line with their views politically, but don't really need to see/hear it on DVD....This does have some relevance....Not so much musically, though...If you want that, go to see Neil sometime!!!

My son Joshua was a senior in high school on that fateful morning of
September 11th,2001.The next day he and his best friend went
to the local Army recruiter and enlisted.Like all Americans,he felt helpless in this terror-filled new universe we all woke up to
on the morning after.Nothing would ever be the same.Americans were
facing a "faceless" enemy;my son and thousands of young Americans like him,felt they had to "do something". In the spring of 2003,Josh
entered Iraq and would not come home until January 2004. America had finally put a face to our enemy;Saddam Hussein had to be taken down.
Mission accomplished...but was it the right mission?
CSNY/DEJA VU chronicles the aftermath of Bush's decision to topple Saddam.
The "liberators" suddenly became "occupiers" and our brave young men and women were no longer soldiers but were thrust into becoming policemen.
It is this new role of the American soldier that is the underlying basis for this Bernard Shakey film and THIS is a Bernard Shakey film like no other.There are intercuts of folks that do not share CSNY's view
of Dubya's policies and those folks do not mince words.Everyone has heard
what happened at the Atlanta concert and it's hard to watch. There's an
interview with some cat who walked out and he makes the comment that the
people in Bush's government are smarter than CSNY.I bet he wishes he could take that comment back now!!!This is NOT a performance film;it is a
documentary of four aging icons who could no longer stand on the sidelines and let the game go on without any regard to the rules.Crosby has stated on numerous occasions that Bush and Co highjacked America's
principles and turned them into policies. It is these policies
that have killed thousands of our soldiers and tens (if not hundreds) of
thousands of Iraqi civilians.Maybe CSNY made money off this tour...I've
read some criticism of that.Who cares? They did put their music where their mouth was and I thank them for it. My son Josh went back to Iraq again in the spring of 2005.I had to live with war all over again.He came back
in early 2006 but he was a changed young man.At 21, my son had seen things
most male baby boomers will never have to experience. Seeing CSNY
sing "Find The Cost Of Freedom ", beneath the backdrop of thousands
of photos of young soldiers killed in action,is chilling. I know we were blessed that Josh came home safely after two tours.
This film was made over two years ago...OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS ARE STILL DYING today in a country that will not pay their share for their cost of freedom.CSNY still preach that love is better than hate,understanding is better than confusion and peace is still better than war. Carry on!!!!

No, this is not a concert DVD. Yes, this is a protest DVD. Any questions? And it is not totally true to say this does not have them performing. It does, you just don't get to see and hear the entire song, with the exception of maybe one that drew the ire of some Atlantans who *apparently* thought CSN&Y and their "Freedom of Speech" tour was going to be Skynyrd's Greatest Hits, or maybe REM performing. For Jiminy Cricket's sake, it's Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Get the fingers and toes out and start counting the protest songs they did as a group and with their other groups. It seems many people didn't bother to realize this was the companion tour to Neil Young's "Living with War" album.
Any rate, Neil plays both sides of the coin very well on this. He gives the pro-wars as much time as the anti-wars while maintaining an anti-war stance. Mainly though, this is about the troops, dead and alive. The Vets dealing with what they experienced over there (meaning, in this case, both Vietnam and Iraq) as well as the parents who are suffering with the loss of their children or the uncertainty of their return. At the end, 'Find the Cost of Freedom'....oh my god. You cannot help but cry. The last hour or so of this is just intense. The first half-hour or so is about them getting together to do the tour and the making of the record and rehearsals and stuff. Then, the story begins. This is not CNN. This is not FOX News. This is not your local nightly broadcast. This is reality...at least filtered through the (at least somewhat) biased eyes of Neil Young. Some was done for shock value, I am sure, but to also show, "this is what our kids are going through". You must see this movie. If nothing else, rent it before you buy it.
But, it is Deja Vu, and that is something Neil does a good job of showing. We were going through a lot of the same political problems 40 years ago. The names were a little different (Viet Nam/Richard Nixon), but the dissention among the populace is as obvious now as it was then.

First let me say that I've always been a fan. Love their music and own most of their DVDs.

If you want to watch Iraq war protest this is for you. If you're expecting to watch Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young perform live music Do NOT buy this!

I have no problem with them protesting the Iraq war. I just didn't want to waste my time and money watching them protest. They can do that for free. Heck, they are all millionaires.

I'm not. I spent my money to watch them perform their music. My mistake...

I almost forgot to mention that it appears that the DVD I received has the something off center as no matter what DVD player I put it in it makes a loud rattling sound.

I think Amazon has made a mistake listing this as a music DVD as there is mostly talking on this.

Bottom line, if your considering buying this because you like their music and harmonies don't buy it, you will be disappointed.