This was Crosby, Stills & Nash’s first and only venture into pop (no Young here: he’d never be part of a pop song!). CSNY were an album band: Déjà Vu was a huge seller; it went to #1 in both the US and The Netherlands. All told they only released about 20 singles in 30 years. Nevertheless, ‘Marakesh’ was a mild hit, reaching 28 in the US, 17 in the UK (Oz unknown). It’s a fun song; maybe they should have done more like this and they might have found a new audience. Then again, with Crosby’s swinging, drug-induced moods, and Young’s want to do his own thing, I must be dreaming. Which brings us back to this song; it really does feel like a pleasant dream. Nash does a splendid lead vocal; it’s only in the chorus that all three sing, rendering their customary, consumate 3-part harmonies. The song, about a train trip to Marakesh, has something of the magic about it. Who would ever think about travelling to Marakesh (in Morocco)? Just what were they on at the time?
What holds the song together is the incessant keyboard: this is what affords the song’s fun element. If the live version is anything to go by, then the keyboardist was a session muso. Then again, it could have been performed by the multi-talented Stills.
I’ve given you two versions, studio and live. The studio version has a fuller sound, what with bass, drums and that keyboard. But if you want to experience some slick guitar by Nash, and especially by Stills, then play the second one. The tempo is held back, probably so we can catch the wordy vocal.
An anecdote. This song was released way back in ’69. How can you tell? Mr Crosby is quite thin in the first pic. One thing though: the extra kilos haven’t affected his lovely, harmonious voice.
Ralph's World of Music 