Archaeology: Deja Vu
If I had ever been here before
I would probably know just what to do
Don’t you?
If I had ever been here before
On another time around the wheel
I would probably know just how to deal
With all of you
And I feel
Like I’ve been here before
Feel
Like I’ve been here before
And you know
It makes me wonder
What’s going on
Under the ground
Do you know?
Don’t you wonder
What’s going on
Down under you?
We have all been here before
We have all been here before
We have all been here before
We have all been here before
–David Crosby, Déjà Vu
David Crosby died yesterday at age 81. Lived one of those lives that was probably three or four jammed into one. Probably better to say that with the life he lived, he probably could have died three or four times before yesterday. Hard to overstate his influence. Even if you weren’t a big David Crosby or CSN or CSN&Y or Byrds fan, there is no disputing the distinctive sound and weight of their music. One of the defining voices of the Woodstock era and beyond.
I decided to play one of his songs below, the title track from Déjà Vu, the first album in 1969 from the band newly constituted as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. It works out especially well because the new painting at the top is titled Archaeology: Déjà Vu.
This piece is my first new Archaeology painting in a several years and probably the smallest of the series, coming in at 3″ by 5.” Like the painting from yesterday’s post, this new piece marks a return to watercolor on paper and is headed to the West End Gallery for their annual Little Gems show that opens in February.
I have been itching to get back to this series for a while and thought a piece or two for the Little Gems show would be a good way to begin revisiting the Archaeology series, which first appeared in 2008. I am pleased with this first foray back into the series. For me, it takes a different sort of concentration and approach than my normal work. It works in a different headspace with a different focus which is probably why I drifted away from the series over the years.
I knew it was always there waiting when I wanted to venture back into that space. Now seems like the right time. Doiing this first new piece certainly gave me a feeling of déjà vu. Felt familiar but new. Like the song says- And I feel Like I’ve been here before.
RIP David Crosby. Here’s his song, Déjà Vu.
Redtree Times 
It’s fun to see an addition to this series. As you know, it’s always been one of my favorites. I smiled when it occurred to me that this one could be described as ‘a new slant’ on the series.
I guess you could say that!
That CS&N sound was and is so distinctive.
Like the first time I heard The Beatles, I have a clear memory of where I was the first time I heard CS&N.
You’re right. The interesting thing for me is that their sound, like the Beatles, so defines a specific era yet remains timeless. A rare thing.
CSN’s first album was the result of one of those magical right time, right place, right people with the right stuff things where everything just lined up to make magic. Graham Nash listen to Crosby and Stills play this song they were working on, had them play it one more time, and then asked them to play it a third time.When he added in his impromptu harmony, lightening struck. Crosby, Stills and Nash and a photographer wandered around LA all one day taking pictures to come up with an album cover. They found this derelict old house where they took the photo that became the album cover. They really, really liked the photo, but the band members were in the wrong order. They went back to that location to take another photograph, and the house was gone. It had been demolished and the debris hauled off. They had to go with what they had. I’ve loved that album since the first time I heard a song off it. I’ve had it in vinyl, 8-track, cassette and CD. I’ve heard it a zillion times, and their perfect harmony still gives me chills. RIP David Crosby. You gave the world the gift of your music.