08.04.2009.

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MANASSAS

Led by Stephen Stills, with Chris Hillman (the Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers), Paul Harris (session musician for B.B. King, Eric Anderson, and many others), Joe Lala (Blues Image), Al Perkins (Flying Burrito Brothers), Calvin "Fuzzy" Samuels (Crosby, Stills, & Nash), and Dallas Taylor (Crosby, Stills, & Nash), Manassas was one of the most talented units in music at the time. Equally at home with Latin jams, rock, blues, country, folk, and bluegrass, they were also one of the most versatile outfits in rock history.

Formed in 1971 from the sessions for what was going to be Stills' third solo album, the chemistry of the musicians he gathered was so intense that before long they were a full-fledged band. With an album completed (at hotspot Criteria Studios in Miami), the group was still without a name. Yet despite this they embarked on a small tour. At a train station in Manassas, VA, a picture of the group standing under a Manassas sign was taken, giving birth to their name and, conveniently, the album cover.



"Manassas" (1972)

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. FlameUpload
THE RAVEN
01. Song Of Love 02. Crazies / Cuban Bluegrass 03. Jet Set 04. Anyway 05. Both Of Us (Bound To Lose)
THE WILDERNESS
06. Fallen Eagle 07. Jesus Gave Love Away For Free 08. Colorado 09. So Begins The Task 10. Hide It So Deep 11. Don't Look At My Shadow
CONSIDER
12. It Doesn't Matter 13. Johnny's Garden 14. Bound To Fall 15. How Far 16. Move Around 17. Love Gangster
ROCK & ROLL IS HERE TO STAY
18. What To Do 19. Right Now 20. Treasure 21. Blues Man

"Down The Road" (1973)

Following the release of Down the Road, Manassas broke up. Perhaps they should have done so before recording this disc, for there is little here to recommend it. Two cuts, Chris Hillman's "Lies" and Stephen Stills' "Do You Remember the Americans," are of some worth, but the rest come off sounding like lame attempts at Latin-inflected blues jams with embarrassing lyrics to boot. For completists only. FlameUpload
TRACKS: 01. Isn't It About Time 02. Lies 03. Pensamiento 04. So Many Times 05. Business On The Street 06. Do You Remember The Americans 07. Down The Road 08. City Junkies 09. Guaguanco De Vero 10. Rollin' My Stone