Rock group’s message ends up muddled

THANK you, Rich Kane, for focusing your review on the irony-laden side of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s “Freedom of Speech ‘06” tour [“Young’s Passion Sparks His Old Band,” Aug. 1]. I love this band, and Neil Young is especially on a tear with his last three CDs. But how can a band’s message be any more hollow when they are charging those kinds of prices for tickets? Has Neil Young listened to any of his recent anti-consumption anthems?

RICHARD KRATT

Woodland Hills

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MONDAY’S Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young show at the Hollywood Bowl made me at once feel old and young. Old because I realized it was nearly 40 years ago that they had their debut. Young because I was reminded of the passion of my youth, and how they were among the artists who could put my feelings into their songs.

While it was wonderful to be with 18,000 friends who, for the most part, felt the same, on the shuttle bus ride out I found one couple who were disappointed due to the political nature of the show, especially the last 30 minutes. I think it would have been excellent for any admirer of this [Bush] administration and war to have been in attendance, just to see the other side of the coin.

I wondered aloud where the youth of today is, when someone hit me with, “It’s because there’s no draft.” The light bulb came on.

ARNIE MOORE

Sherman Oaks