DÉJÀ VU: Celebrating the music of Crosby Stills Nash & Young at Cohoes Music Hall on Sat. May 16, 2026
To pay proper tribute to Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young, first and foremost you need to have the vocal talent and three-part harmonies down pat, which these extraordinary Capital Region musicians had in spades. This CSNY showcase DÉJÀ VU was again produced by Zan Strumfeld, and inspired and led in spirit and voice by Matt Plummer, who was also the master of ceremonies, providing CSN history, lore, and the inspirations and stories behind each of the compositions in between the songs they performed so deftly throughout the night. Joining Plummer was an excellent array of local musicians: multi-instrumentalist Chris Carey (vocals, guitars, harmonica, piano, mandolin), Mike O’Donnell (vocals, guitars), James Gasgoyne (bass, vocals), Matt Griffin (drums/percussion), Paul Guay (percussion), among other guests including Eric O’Hara (pedal steel), Tony Culligan (guitar), Matt Hatfield (guitar), and Jett Collura, who played some spectacular Duane Allman style fiery slide guitar on a few tunes.
The atmosphere inside the historic theatre prior to the show was blithe and friendly, candles illuminated and outlined the front edge of the stage, and were placed strategically around the amps and instruments, where 26(!) stringed instruments were at hand to properly convey each CSNY song authentically. The lights went down to cheery applause, and Zan Strumfeld welcomed everyone for the second annual concert, explaining that it was another musical gathering to showcase “just how unbelievable the local talent is in the area,” and “how amazing each and every musician is on this stage tonight.” On she cue, they all took their places and checked their tuning, until Plummer gleefully announced, “Let’s start off with a singalong,” before the band started strumming the familiar open chords of “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes.” They wowed the crowd from the first line “It’s getting to the point…” with spot-on harmonies that elicited a spontaneous audible collective exhilaration. The energy in the room was palpable, and continued through their next number “Carry On.” When they reached the acapella line “Carry on, love is coming, love is coming to us all…” with another mind-blowing harmony that resonated through the room, the audience erupted with joy.
Afterward, Plummer exclaimed with arms wide open, “This is our house tonight…” and nodding to Carey began, “I’ll light the fire…” while Carey plunked out the steady syncopated piano chords that accent the vocal intro, and the place went instantly quiet in reverence to the sweet, sentimental song Graham Nash wrote for Joni Mitchell. The band nailed the intricate rhythmic flurrying intro vocals and various tempo changes of “Déjà Vu,” which included tasty pedal steel and bass solos. “Let’s go to Woodstock…” Plummer joyfully exclaimed after telling the tale behind the tune, with bassist Gasgoyne taking lead vocals, as well as on “Helpless” that followed, those present singing along with its repetitive haunting refrain. The first set included a trio of Buffalo Springfield selections, and concluded with a “Country Girl” (a song Plummer said had “Started it all” for him) and a powerful performance of “Almost Cut My Hair,” that was so good one wished it could’ve gone on even longer.
After intermission, they returned to the stage and sang the first half of the set bluegrass style, huddled around one microphone at center stage with acoustic instruments. The succession of CSN songs -“Helplessly Hoping,” “Do For the Others” (a song Stills write for David Crosby when he lost his longtime girlfriend to a car accident), the sublime “Guinevere,” “You Don’t Have to Cry” (the first song CSN ever sang together), and Stills’ “Love the One You’re With” – that serenaded the rapt audience, who sat silently spellbound during each song, then applauded accordingly afterward. It was impressive to see Chris Carey as he changed instruments for each song. At times, he played acoustic guitar, then sat down at the piano, with his guitar still in his lap, playing and singing a harmony part, then back up on guitar without missing a beat. Other times, he slung an electric guitar, which he played with great gusto, as well as mandolin, and harmonica during the second set. He even played his water flask, tapping out a rhythm with his harmonica during “Love the One You’re With.”
The sheer poignancy of CSNY’s words often rang heavy in the ether of the theatre. During “Long Time Gone,” when Plummer emotionally pleaded as he sang the line “You got to speak out against the madness,” it was as if he was speaking of the present day, proving that CSNY’s unique music was still as powerful today as it was when it first hit the airwaves, and the guitar duel between the two guest guitarists only added to the visceral effect. They covered nearly the entire Deja Vu album, save for “Teach Your Children” (surprisingly since this is a classic cut from the album), “4+20,” and “Everybody I Love You,” all of which would have been a welcome additions to the acoustic set.
After a few more CSN classics, Plummer explained that they were “going all Neil for the rest of the night,” beginning with an poignant acapella intro of “Find the Cost of Freedom” which led into “Ohio,” a song – along with “For What It’s Worth” – that Plummer said he hoped would “maybe someday not be so relevant.” When they left after the final song, the jubilant congregation wasn’t having it and needed more, applauding, howling, and stomping their feet until the band came back. Plummer introduced each player, graciously thanked attendees (“Thank you to all you beautiful people who not only sold this place out, but were the most attentive and enthusiastic crowd I’ve ever had the pleasure of performing for”), and spotlighted everyone involved with the show, “including tech, lighting, sound, guitar tuning, and the beautiful venue for supporting live local artists.” He reminded patrons that “We are stronger together – love is better than division,” before they launched into a rousing encore of Young’s edgy murder ballad “Down By The River,” which had O’Donnell seemingly channeling Young, displaying his depth and dexterity on guitar (as he had done throughout the night).
The night’s performance reminded me that three voices singing in harmony is a beautiful and magical thing, that CSN&Y were singular and special artists who deserve every accolade they’ve ever received (and more), and that the New York region has some incredibly talented musicians. Hopefully, they will continue to make this a yearly homage to this prolific and dynamic supergroup.
For more shows at the Cohoes check here: https://www.thecohoesmusichall.org/events
SETLIST:
SET 1:
Suite: Judy Blue Eyes
Carry On
Our House
Déjà Vu
Woodstock
Helpless
For What It’s Worth (Buffalo Springfield cover)
Rock’n’roll Woman (Buffalo Springfield cover)
Mr. Soul (Buffalo Springfield cover)
Country Woman
Almost Cut My Hair
SET 2:
Helplessly Hoping
Do For The Others
Guinevere
You Don’t Have to Cry
Love The One You’re With (Stephen Stills cover)
Long Time Gone
Just A Song Before I Go
Cinnamon Girl (Neil Young cover)
Song of Love (Manassas cover)
Don’t Let it Bring You Down (Neil Young cover)
Find the Cost of Freedom –> Ohio
ENCORE:
Band intros –> Down By The River (Neil Young cover)