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What's David Crosby reading?

 
Photo by Henry Diltz David Crosby performs at the Capitol Theatre in Clearwater on 11/27/16.
Photo by Henry Diltz David Crosby performs at the Capitol Theatre in Clearwater on 11/27/16.
Published Nov. 24, 2017

Nightstand

David Crosby

We caught up with Crosby, 76, by phone on Nov. 14, the morning after he performed at the City Winery in Boston. The two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, social activist and outspoken Twitter user will be returning to Florida, performing at the Capitol Theatre on Dec. 9, marking his second visit in 12 months. This time it's for his new album, Sky Trails, produced by son James Raymond.

But Crosby's affinity with Florida is not new. The story goes that he wrote at least one of the Crosby, Stills and Nash classics in the Sunshine State. That would be Wooden Ships. He composed it in Fort Lauderdale in 1968, aboard the Mayan, a 1947 schooner he owned until 2015.

"I've been in and out of Florida for years. I'm coming back because of the album, but I have family down there, a daughter, three grandchildren,'' he said. "And also our monitors mixer, Rance Caldwell, does sound (at the Capitol Theatre) when he's not on tour, and thirdly, it's a great theater. It's really cool.''

What's on your nightstand?

Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen. I'm re-reading it for a third time. Anytime I get depressed or need a lift, his books make me laugh like a complete fool.

Is that your favorite Hiaasen novel?

It might be Stormy Weather.

Do you remember when you first read Hiaasen?

Actually, it was his column in the Miami Herald. It was a long time ago. The other guy I'm reading is Iain Banks — Espedair Street. He was a science fiction author and mystery writer. He's dead now, but I think he was a great wordsmith. He was brilliant.

I was half-expecting you to mention the new Joni Mitchell bio by David Yaffe.

No, I haven't read it. I have read quotes from it that are totally incorrect. I'll just say this. It's very tough to write about Joni. She's a confusing person. She's also absolutely the best singer-songwriter alive. Bob is a better poet, but Joni is the better musician. But, she's a very difficult human being. I'm just not happy he got some facts wrong.

When I listened to you sing her song Amelia on Sky Trails, you got to me. I cried a little.

That song is brilliant, and I wanted to sing it for years. I was afraid of it. It's a fine piece of art. After I heard James play it, I couldn't resist it. I love that song so much.

Contact Piper Castillo at pcastillo@tampabay.com.
Follow @Florida_PBJC.