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Between 1970 and 1972, Stephen Stills was busy playing with Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, and working on a series of solo albums. In addition to all this activity he led the supergroup that appears on this stunning release. Originally a double album of four distinct sides, MANASSAS finds Stills and company (which includes friends and session musicians Chris Hillman, Dallas Taylor, and Al Perkins, among others) at the intersection of rock, folk, country, blues, and Latin flavors. Distinctive styles are noticeable song by song, yet the whole is a hodge-podge, and it is the strength and credibility of the mixture that makes MANASSAS such a great experience.
The first fourth of the album focuses on '60s rock with Afro-Cuban overtones (imagine Buffalo Springfield sitting in with Santana), followed by a batch of country and bluegrass-oriented material (with Chris Hillman's influence more strongly felt). The dreamy, swaying "It Doesn't Matter" kicks off the third section, which has a folk-rock feel, replete with multi-part harmonies and chiming guitars. The final section brings things back to amped-up rock, wrapping up the set with the rootsy groove of "Blues Man," a tribute to Jimi Hendrix. A rich and varied collection that is as sophisticated and complex as it is earthy and easy to listen to, MANASSAS is considered by many to be one of the great overlooked gems of the '70s rock.
Manassas/Stephen Stills: Stephen Stills (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, bottleneck guitar, piano, electric piano, Clavinet, organ, Moog synthesizer); Al Perkins (vocals, guitar, steel guitar); Chris Hillman (vocals, guitar, mandolin); Joe Lala (vocals, congas, timbales, percussion); Paul Harris (piano, tack piano, electric piano, Clavinet, organ); Fuzzy Samuels (bass instrument); Dallas Taylor (drums).
Additional personnel: Byron Berline (fiddle); Sydney George (harmonica); Jerry Aiello (piano, electric piano, Clavinet, organ); Bill Wyman (bass instrument); Roger Bush (acoustic bass guitar).Rolling Stone (5/25/72, p.62) - "...a substantial, honest sound...the familiar, inviting flavor of the bands that Manassas' principal members have been involved with (The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Flying Burrito Brothers, CSN&Y)..." Q (7/93, p.114) - 3 Stars - Good - "...Touching on straight rock, Cuban rhythms, acoustic blues, synthesizer workouts and grounded in fine ensemble performances, MANASSAS is just about a forgotten classic...it's easy to see what the fuss was all about..."
One of the best albums ever This was one of those rare occasions when EVERY song on the album was good. NO filler at all. These guys brought out the best in Stephen Stills and vice versa. I bought it when it came out and still listen to it today and every time I hear it, I like it that much more. Submitted by jrs53 (Texas) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 2 found this helpful.
Stills delivers a Double Pleasure set A powerful mix of quality melodies and lyrics. An acoustical masterpiece complimented with soothing four part harmony. Submitted by alanrose ("Miami, Fl, USA") Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
A classic countryrock album from the Seventies! The debut album by Stethen Stills & Manassas is still a gem after all these years. The original double-album has been released as a CD several times and on the latest edition the HDCD-technology has been taken into use. This makes for a much more rich and full sound and is probably closer to the original sound that the band was striving for in 1972. The musicianship is first-class and almost every song is a stand-out cut. Lots of guitars and harmonies with great support from the fabulous Chris Hillman. Submitted by a reviewer (Hvidovre, Denmark) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
one of the finest double albums ever This is the definitive Stephen Stills LP. Twenty-one tracks and every one a must listen. Rock, country, folk, blues, Latin, boogie, funk, and even a pioneering work on the moog synthesizer, all masterfully composed and performed. I saw Stephen in Michigan in '72 and despite all his great works the show was almost entirely this disc, and it's still the best concert I ever saw. Don't miss this one! Submitted by agapeteacher (Clinton Twp., MI) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Masterpiece An absolute masterpiece. Hard rock, blues rock, folk rock, country(/bluegrass) rock, all delivered to perfection within a conceptual framework. Stills, Hillman, band, and special guests (Byron Berline, Bill Wyman, etc.) are al at the top of their game. Absolutely essential. Submitted by Paul (Little Rock, AR, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
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