It was 45 years ago this month that Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young released their album Deja Vu. I was a huge fan of the group and I went out and bought this album the first day it was released.

In 2003, the album was placed at number 148 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, but, as I recall, Rolling Stone tore the album apart in it's review. Rolling Stone magazine never really had much good to say about Crosby, Stills and Nash. Of course Rolling Stone has always been a pretentious little rag anyway.

As I mentioned, I was a huge C.S.N & Y fan, mainly because of all that great vocal harmony and I played Deja Vu non-stop for weeks. I especially loved the Stephen Stills penned tune, 4+20. It was just a simple song backed up by one guitar, but there was no shortage of soul in Stills' vocals. The song was never a hit, but it has gone on to become a classic anyway.

Despite the popularity of the biggest hit on the album, "Teach Your Children,' I never get tired of Stills' plaintive vocal and excellent finger picking on 4+20 and his performance of the song is always a highlight of any show.

Here's a great performance of "4+20' from the Dick Cavett show. Stills had just returned from Woodstock when this was recorded. I was watching the Cavett Show when this performance took place and it inspired me to learn to finger pick guitar.

Just a great performance!

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