Stephen Stills – Manassas (2LP Vinyl) Japanese Original Pressing
Atlantic Records (1972)

1 review for Stephen Stills – Manassas (2LP Vinyl) Japanese Original Pressing
Atlantic Records (1972)

1. 

   4 out of 5

   AMG – January 21, 2016

   A sprawling masterpiece, akin to the Beatles' White Album, the Stones' Exile on Main St., or Wilco's Being There... 4 ½ Stars A sprawling masterpiece, akin to the Beatles' White Album, the Stones' Exile on Main St., or Wilco's Being There in its makeup, if not its sound. Rock, folk, blues, country, Latin, and bluegrass have all been styles touched on in Stephen Stills' career, and the skilled, energetic musicians he had gathered in Manassas played them all on this album. The songs are thematically grouped: part one is titled "The Raven," and is a composite of rock and Latin sounds that the group would often perform in full live. "The Wilderness" mainly centers on country and bluegrass (Chris Hillman's and Al Perkins' talents coming to the forefront). Part three, "Consider" is largely folk and folk-rock. "Johnny's Garden" is a particular highlight. Two other notables from the "Consider" section are "It Doesn't Matter" and "Move Around," which features some of the first synthesizer used in a rock context. The closing section, titled "Rock & Roll Is Here to Stay," is a rock and blues set with one of the landmarks of Manassas' short life, the epic "The Treasure." A sort of Zen-like meditation on love and "oneness," enlivened by the band's most inspired recorded playing it evolves into a bluesy groove washed in Stills' fierce electric slide playing. Unfortunately, the album has been somewhat overlooked over the years, even though Stills considers it some of the best work he has done. Bill Wyman (who guested on "The Love Gangster") has said he would have quit the Rolling Stones to join Manassas. 4 ½ Stars