Crosby, Stills, & Nash: Marrakesh Express

For this Mélange Monday, we travel back to 1969 with a little Moroccan Roll – not to be confused with Moroccan Mole. In 1966, Graham Nash visited Morocco where he traveled with all manner of creatures on the “Marrakesh Express” – a train that traveled between Marrakesh and Casablanca. As he wrote of his experiences, Nash brought the composition back to The Hollies.

The band cut a rudimentary track, but the other members of The Hollies were not keen on releasing it, so it was shelved. When Crosby, Stills, and Nash recorded their self-titled debut album in 1968, “Marrakesh Express” was recorded and released as a single. It charted at #28.

Graham Nash & the Author, 1982

While Nash sings lead and plays acoustic guitar, Crosby and Stills sing harmony; however, it is Stephen Stills’ instrumentation that makes this recording. Stills plays bass, piano, double tracked lead guitar, and organ. The organ is pivotal to the overall sound of this short, little record. Jim Gordon rounds out the tune with his drumming.