Photos by Andy Argyrakis

The list of artists who’ve been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on two separate occasions is in short supply, but Graham Nash is one of the elite few who’ve accomplished the feat as both a member of British Invasion band The Hollies and Woodstock-era folk heroes Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

Along with just as fruitful of a solo career that continues with the aptly titled “Now,” the internationally treasured troubadour sure did have a ton of tunes to consider when he brought the “Sixty Years Of Songs And Stories” Tour to a super sold out Old Town School Of Folk Music.

Though there isn’t a single seat currently available for the remarkably intimate residency, at least there are five shows to fit in as much material as possible, and in the case of opening night, Nash turned in two sumptuous sets featuring a bit of all the aforementioned acts and their numerous offshoots.

The headliner may now be 81-years-old, but basically sounded like anyone might remember him as a singer, guitarist, pianist and harmonica player, alongside the dual excellence of guitarist Shane Fontayne and keyboardist/organist Todd Caldwell, while looking healthy and happy to be back on the stage after a seven-year absence from the studio.

He more than made up for lost time, gloriously recreating CSN and sometimes Y standards such as “Wasted On The Way,” “Marrakesh Express” and “Find The Cost Of Freedom,” The Hollies’ “Bus Stop,” plus his own “I Used To Be A King,” “Military Madness” and “Simple Man.”

Nash verbally saluted the late David Crosby before “To The Last Whale​.​.​.Critical Mass/Wind On The Water,” while also addressing Stephen Stills’ “Love The One You’re With” and Neil Young’s “Only Love Can Break Your Heart,” remarking the collaborators mainly spoke to one another through songwriting rather than actual words.

“Love Of Mine” revealed the latest understated but no less urgent direction in a catalogue filled with about as many romantic touchstones as socially conscious observations, the latter of which culminated with the trio’s chilling “Cathedral” and the personal calling card “Chicago.”

The similarly iconic “Our House” and “Teach Your Children” were a couple more instances of Nash’s ability to pull at the Old Town School’s heartstrings, and in the process, etch a place in history as a timeless tunesmith worthy of the textbooks.

For additional information on Graham Nash, visit GrahamNash.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Old Town School Of Folk Music include Graham Nash (Apr. 26, 28, 29 and 30); Joe Henry (May 5); Richard Thompson (May 6); Rodney Crowell (May 7); The Microphones and Mount Eerie (May 9); Tim Bernardes (May 10); Nick Lowe (May 13); Cowboy Junkies (May 14); Amy Ray Band (May 17); Sondre Lerche (May 18); Alejandro Escovedo (May 19-20); Carrie Newcomer (May 21); Rickie Lee Jones (May 22); Joan Baez (May 25); Willie Watson (May 26); Tinariwen (May 27) and National Tap Day (May 28). For additional details, visit OldTownSchool.org/Concerts.

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