Déjà vu was the first album featuring David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash and Neil Young. It was released in March 1970, receiving enormous attention and and achieving massive success. Fans, critics, other musicians… everybody loved it. The singles did well, the LP sold around the world, and even today Déjà vu is the most successful album by any of the four musicians. (A Vinyl Connection piece can be found here.)
This 2021 RSD release, Déjà vu—Alternates, offers (as the name implies) different versions of the songs on the original album. Because many fans will know the original 1970 disc back-to-front, we’ll do a track-by-track in a moment. But first, a word about the packaging.
This is a beautifully presented LP. From the facsimile design in complimentary colours through the shiny burnished brass type to the embossed sepia photograph, it is a class act. The cover shot and all the internal photos are from the same shoot, while the printed information is a whole lot easier to read than the incongruous futuristic font of the original. The cardboard sleeve is heavy enough to stop a pellet from an antique rifle and the pressing sounds terrific. Really, it is a quality item.
So, to the music.
“Carry On” is a very strong opening to Déjà vu. Here, on Alternates, the vocals are mostly in place though the guitar parts differ. The mix sounds more spacious. An enjoyable, if not revelatory recording of Stephen Stills’ song.
“Teach Your Children”, Graham Nash’s popular intergenerational ditty, is more acoustic folk than the country flavoured album version. No Jerry Garcia steel guitar on this one, and only rudimentary harmony vocals (which nevertheless have the trademark beauty). I think I prefer this pared back version.
“Almost cut my hair”, David Crosby’s strange paranoiac vision, is slower, having a more theatrical lyric and vocal. The prominence of the dirty guitar in the mix is great; there are even duelling guitars that sound like Stills and Young having a blast through an extended final jam. Ten minutes of grooving stoner bliss. Unexpected and fabulous.
“Helpless” – This “harmonica” version of Neil Young’s beloved song previously appeared on one of Young’s archival releases. With the others contributing background vocals and a plaintive harp interlude from the songwriter, this is a highlight.
“Woodstock”. The alternate vocal is actually quite different from the original album. When coupled with a looser musical arrangement, this version has an upbeat, festive feel. The longer guitar lead out is unexpected and very cool.
“Déjà vu”. A jittery, uneasy opening gives way to a swooning “we have all been here before” section. One of David Crosby’s most intricate and interesting songs, this subtly different mix sounds fresh and retains Greg Reeves wonderful bass work.
“Our House”. Graham Nash’s gentle nursery song of domestic bliss with Joni Mitchell is not much different from the finished product, just a little less polished.
“4+20”. Like the previous track, this brief Stephen Stills song retains its acoustic intensity, varying little from the released version.
“Know you got to run”. An early version of “Everybody I love you”, this is the Stills original he worked up with Neil Young into the song that closes Déjà vu. Driven by some excellent Dallas Taylor drumming, it thunders along for almost seven minutes (compared to the concise 2:20 of “Everybody I love you”) but misses the vocal layers of the collaborative version. Nonetheless, a satisfying ending to a very worthwhile addition to the mythology of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.
Alternate albums are designed to augment the original, not replace them. In that respect, despite disappointing Neil Young fans by overlooking his “Country girl” suite, Déjà vu Alternates is top class. It has certainly made it onto my turntable more than once, even though the feeling I’ve been here before is strong.
© Bruce Jenkins. First published at Discrepancy Records, reposted (including additional material) with kind permission June 2025.
vinylconnection.com.au 
This could be CSN&Y’s best album.
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Is there any doubt? 😅
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I like this set – it feels hippier than the original, at this distance.
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I think I know what you mean, DD. A little more off the leash, less produced, smokier. 😉
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Exactly
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Their best album to me. I never owned this one…I had the debut but after looking at the song listing…it IS the best, to me anyway. I just knew the songs…never thought the collective whole. I was only a toddler when it was released but CSN and CSNY had to sound fresh and different when they debuted in 69.
I read Graham Nash’s book…I cannot believe Apple turned them down…but it was a good thing in the long run.
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Agreed, Max. Deja Vu is not just the high point for the four involved, but for that early 70s American sound that was soooo influential.
And this Alternate version is that rare example of such projects actually working!
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Yes it does work! When you have the Grateful Dead asking you to help improve their vocal abilities…you are making an imprression.
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I actually fancy this one now, good work Bruce.
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I’ve a few of these ‘Alt’ versions, Joe, as a result of the Discrepancy writing. But this is the only one I’ve thought to share here. Hopefully it can be found at a reasonable price!
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I have a reasonable price “Free”. It’s an original copy, scratched to hell but I’m sure my Gal wouldnt miss it if for a moment (Doesn’t even know it exists anymore). I know wouldn’t.
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Gorgeous write-up and love the economic format. Thank you Bruce!
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💙
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I almost would have missed your post, Bruce. “Déjà Vu” is among the very first vinyl music albums I heard back in Germany when I was about 8 years old and didn’t understand a word of English. CSNY’s incredible harmony vocals drew me in right away. and it remains one of my all-time favorite albums to this day.
I had no idea of the Alternates version, so first of all, thanks for bringing it to my attention. While I find it interesting to listen to these altered versions, admittedly, I’m not fully sold. I guess my overall challenge is I pretty much find the original as perfect as it can get, so why tinker with it?
My biggest “problem” on Alternates is Jerry Garcia’s missing pedal steel on “Teach Your Children.” I just feel this takes away a critical element of that song. Granted, I’m a huge fan of pedal steel guitar, so I’m probably a bit biased.
I also find it a bit odd “Alternates” skipped Neil Young’s “Country Girl.” Perhaps, there was no alternate version? 🙂
Perhaps the one exception where I actually might prefer the alternate over the original version or at least would rate them as equal is “Our House.”
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying Alternates is terrible. In fact, based on sampling the tracks via YouTube videos, for the most part, the differences to the original tracks are relatively minor.
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Generally speaking, I’m with you on alternate version of classic (or even non-classic!) albums, Christian. But — perhaps because I know the original so well — I found this refreshing in its less polished looseness. Such items are never a replacement, but at least this one is a pleasant ‘fan’ purchase. 😉
I love that the child-you was drawn to the vocal harmonies irrespective of the language. That says something wonderful and universal.
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Never heard the bonus tracks. Is the Almisr Cut My Hair the same version as the 1991 box set – that’s about ten minutes and rules.
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It’s 10:33, so probably! Amazing cut, right?
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It sounds silly on paper, but works in practice.
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I too bought that alternate version on RSD a while ago. It complements the original nicely. My entry to the world of CSNY was the first album. I think it might have been the first US import I bought, from One Stop in Hosier Lane or maybe Archie and Jugheads. Still have it and it’s a beautiful set from the cover to vinyl to the music. I think it shades ‘Deja Vu’ but only just. Maybe the added memories tip it over the edge. Who cares? Both are great as in ‘Four Way Street’. I also bought the three disc RSD version in 2019. There’s one born every minute. Thanks Bruce for the care and insight you deliver on a regular basis. Just last week I bought the half speed mastered CSN debut set 🙄
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It is hugely reassuring that I’m not the only one who stumped for that 3LP Four Way Street re-issue. 😅
Not that the extra material is poor, by any means. It’s more that I already had a 2CD re-issue WITH THE EXTRA MATERIAL. Sigh. Glad you enjoy the posts, Chris. And glad you understand the music bug through lived experience. 🖤
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