Blue Note's 1997 Cover Series had several jazz artists performing "re-creations" (really transformations) of classic pop albums. Acoustic guitarist
Fareed Haque tackled the
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young set
Deja Vu, performing all dozen selections, as well as brief intro and reprise versions of "Teach Your Children," in an instrumental and jazz-oriented setting.
Haque, who was greatly assisted by fellow guitarist David Onderdonk (who shared with him the arranging duties) is heard on such numbers as "Teach Your Children," "Woodstock" and "Our House." Some of the renditions sound purposely dated, particularly in their use of sitar and Fender Rhodes, while others are fresher, stretching the pop tunes into funky vamps. This CD is mostly recommended to open-minded listeners who are very familiar with the original versions. ~ Scott Yanow