Genre: rock
Rating: ** (2 stars)
Title:  Oh Yes I Can
Company: A&M
Catalog: 395232-1
Year: 1989
Country/State: Los Angeles, California
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG
Comments: German pressing; includes lyric insert
Available: 1
Catalog ID: not yet listed
Price: $7.00

Given the downhill spiral that marked Crosby's mid-to-late 1980s life including a serious drug problem that ultimately got him locked away in a Texas prison for nine months, it was a major miracle that he lived long enough to release a sophomore solo album. Released in 1989, "Oh Yes I Can" must have set a couple of records, including some type of record for the number of friends and guests playing on it, as well as length of time between albums (18 years). Perhaps because my expectations for this album were so low and my penchant for the underdog, I'll admit that the collection was actually better than I expected. Clearly intended as a message of survival and personal rejuvenation, Crosby sounded surprisingly good for his circumstances. Sure, nothing here was going to change your world outlook, but original material like 'Drive My Car', the pretty 'Flying Man' (which recalled something off of a Crosby and Nash LP), 'Distances' and the title track were all worth hearing. Clearly one's reaction to Crosby's new, more commercial orientation was a highly personal call, but in my case once I got over the initial shock there was something comforting in hearing his instantly recognizable voice wrapped around songs sporting true melodies and traditional chords ('Melodies', '' and the pretty ballad 'In the Wide Ruin').       

A&M tapped the album for a pair of singles, though neither did anything commercially:

- 'Drive My Car' b/w 'Tracks in the Dust' (A&M catalog number )
- 'Lady of the Harbor' b/w 'Drop Down Mama' (A&M catalog number )

"Oh Yes I Can" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Drive My Car (David Crosby) - 
2.) Melody (David Crosby - Craig Doerge) - 
3.) Monkey and the Underdog (David Crosby - Craig Doerge) - 
4.) In the Wide Ruin (David Crosby - Judy Henske) - 
5.) Tracks In the Dust (David Crosby) - 

(side 2)
1.) Drop Down Mama (David Crosby) - 
2.) Lady of the Harbor (David Crosby - Craig Doerge) - 
3.) Distances (David Crosby - Craig Doerge) - 
4.) Flying Man (instrumental) (David Crosby - Craig Doerge) - 
5.) Oh Yes I Can (David Crosby) - 
6.) My Country 'Tis of Thee (traditional) -