Graham Nash rules out CS & N reunion and opens up about his divorce on new solo record

GRAHAM Nash didn’t hold back when talking about his former band ahead of his solo album about his marriage breakdown.

ROCK legend Graham Nash is in that peculiar whirlwind of peak media saturation.

He is generating almost daily headlines while on the promotional trail to launch his first solo album in 14 years.

The latest was an expletive-laden shut down of any Crosby, Sills & Nash reunion last week, branding David Crosby as “f ... ing awful”.

“In my world there will never, ever be a Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young record and there will never be another Crosby, Stills and Nash record or show,” he told Billboard.

Nash hit out at his old band mate David Crosby last week and slammed the door on them playing together ever again. Picture: AP Photo / Mary Altaffer.

His new record This Path Tonight, out on April 15, and upcoming tour of Australia which kicks off at Bluesfest next week, also signals other dramatic changes in his life.

Nash recently split from Susan, his wife of 38 years, and confirms he has a new love in his life.

As he kicked off his solo tour in America while promoting his Australian solo visit, the 74-year-old musician sounds a little harried as he juggles personal chaos with professional rebirth.

“My personal life is a little chaotic right now,” he says with disarming candour.

“My wife Susan and I are in the process of divorcing after 38 years and new love has come into my life ... at my age.

“I think that’s why a lot of people can relate to this album. I am just going through changes as a human being.”

Nash returns to Bluesfest to launch his new album This Path Tonight. Picture: News Corp Australia.

Of course Nash chooses to go through those changes very publicly, revealing them on This Path Tonight via songs including Myself At Last, Another Broken Heart, Beneath The Waves and Fire Down There.

With his former CS & N bus buddy and guitarist Shane Fontayne, Nash opened the songwriting floodgates in a month last year and recorded about 20 songs in eight days, with 10 tracks making the cut.

Supporting the album release with a solo tour is another attempt to reveal Nash at his most vulnerable, stripping the songs bare so his audience can heart him pouring out his heart.

You do have wonder what his soon to be ex-wife thinks about his musical exploration of the end of their marriage.

“You have to have a certain courage. People don’t like you to talk about tough situations, people don’t like confrontation or the serious issues,” he says.

“What is going on with me is incredibly serious in my life, I am changing my entire life at 74 but I feel in my heart I have made the right decision.

“Each song has to have a reason to exist or be played.”

Nash says the record, coming three years after his autobiography Wild Tales, has made him realise “I am worth a s...”.

And with his peers heading to that supergroup in the sky with in reading regularity, Nash wants to add to his legacy.

“The reason why I have always, always thought I have to utilise every second I have the best way I can, is you can never really do everything 200 per cent,” he says.

“My God, I am trying to fill my life with beauty and create something that moves the heart and soul.”

This Path Tonight is out on April 15. Graham Nash performs at Bluesfest, Byron Bay on March 25 and 27.

BLUESFEST SIDE SHOWS YOU SHOULDN’T MISS

Kendrick Lamar

Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, March 21; Allphones Arena, Sydney, March 23; Bluesfest, Byron Bay, March 24.

Kendrick Lamar’s incendiary performance at the Grammys this year not only confirmed he is the biggest rap star on the planet right now but one of its most powerful musical voices. His appearance at Bluesfest is a blatant bid to attract a younger audience to the acclaimed festival and his is a worthy headliner for the event’s opening night. Fans should be treated to new sounds from his Untitled Unmastered record which dropped unexpectedly a couple of weeks ago.

D'Angelo is one of the last mystery men in modern pop music. Picture: Supplied.

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds

Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, March 26; Bluesfest, March 27; Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne, March 29, AEC Theatre, Adelaide, March 30; Crown Theatre, Perth, April 1.

Yeah, yeah, we all know that one day, when they are offered enough money to headline Glastonbury, Oasis will reunite. Until that day, this is the next best thing. Not only has the older Gallagher produced two fine solo records but his concerts in their honour have been rather wonderful. And you can count on them being the most amusing gig you will go to this year.

D’Angelo

Palais Theatre, Melbourne, March 19; Sydney Opera House, March 21; Bluesfest, March 24.

Neo-soul superstar D’Angelo has been one of modern music’s mystery men, emerging out of nowhere in late 2014 to drop the acclaimed Black Messiah record, almost 15 years since the release of his previous album Voodoo. That politically-charged album won him two Grammys and has been credited for inspiring similar music commentary from Lamar, Kanye West and Beyonce.

The angelic voice of City and Colour's Dallas Green will star at Bluesfest and his side shows. Picture: Supplied

City and Colour

Bluesfest, March 25; Tivoli, Brisbane, March 26; Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide, March 28; Red Hill Auditorium, Perth, March 30; Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne, April 2; Enmore Theatre, April 4 and 5.

Dallas Green has become an honorary Australian since launching his singer songwriter solo career, winning hearts with his beguiling songs delivered by the kind of astonishingly beautiful voice which enthrals an audience into silent reverence. If you haven’t seen him yet on one of his regular tours, you must.

Eagles Of Death Metal bring their sexy, good times rock to Bluesfest. Picture: Vilhelm Stokstad / AP.

Eagles of Death Metal

The Croxton, Melbourne, March 24 and 25, Bluesfest, March 26, Metro Theatre, Sydney, March 27, Metropolis, Fremantle, March 29.

The Irreverent American party-starters were semi-famous for their garage anthems to sex and rock’n’roll, the Jesse Hughes and Josh Homme collaboration arriving loudly via television, film and video game soundtracks and good times gigs. The Bataclan Theatre terrorist attack in Paris during their November 13 concert thrust them into an unimaginably tragic global spotlight. Since their return to the stage, the band has reaffirmed why fans party to Eagles of Death Metal.

Originally published as Graham Nash rules out CS & N reunion and opens up about his divorce on new solo record