(Stephen Stills, Chris Hillman and Band)
1972-03-22
Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Netherlands
FM Broadcast Recording, Very Good Quality
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and Mp3 (320 kbps) versions
OK, Ive been dealing mainly with recent (2022 releases) music for the past few months, but before we get full into 2023 music, let's go back again (50 years) to some older stuff. In 2022, I spent some time looking back at albums that turned 50 years old, making lists of favorites, etc. from 1972 (and what a great year for music that was). The lists of the top 25 or 30 albums from that year include some of the greatest of all-time. However, there were so many great albums from that year that some very notable releases seem to have been more neglected or nearly forgotten. This band, Stephen Stills' Manassas, a coming together of Stephen Stills and his touring band with Chris Hillman (Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers) and Al Perkins (of FBB), put out a great double album (Manassas, 1972) featuring a blend of rock, blues, latin, folk, country, and bluegrass, but barely received a mention among the great albums of 1972. Even in my own list of the top 30 albums of that year, I didn't have it in there (so many great albums that couldn't all make the list), but probably should have. This was an interesting band and album, as well as an interesting time. Stephen Stills was in the final stages of touring with his band in 1971 (in support of his 2nd solo album, Stephen Stills 2, which was considered a disappointment), when he crossed paths with Chris Hillman touring with Flying Burrito Bros (but that band was in turmoil amid various departures), hit it off, started jamming together, and decided to form a new band, consisting of Stephen and his backing band (Drummer Dallas Taylor, bassist Fuzzy Samuels, keyboardist Paul Harris, and percussionist Joe Lala) with Chris Hillman and pedal steel guitarist Al Perkins from FBB. As their sessions got going, they really gelled and produced abundant material, which turned into a double album. The band is very versatile, with many influences, capable of playing in many different styles. The album reflects that, as the 4 sides of the album follow different themes, with side 1 consisting of rock and latin-influenced songs, side 2 featuring country and bluegrass tracks, side 3 being acoustic and folk-rock, and side 4 being rock and blues. The album was quite successful, reaching #4 on the albums chart, going gold, and featuring several songs getting substantial radio airplay (It Doesn't matter, Johnny's Garden, Rock and Roll Crazies, etc). They went on an extensive and highly successful tour throughout 1972, with a unique and varied song selection, and some pretty amazing shows. Presented here today, was one of their very first shows as a band, an FM broadcast recording fro their show in Amsterdam in March 1972. I've also added in a few additional songs from a show a month later in Florida. A Great show and an underappreciated band and mix of talent. The band did go back to the studio for a follow-up album (Down the Road, 1973) and subsequent tour, but by that time the magic seemed to have gone, as there was much conflict and disagreement during the making of that album (which was not nearly as good), and the band broke up soon after. Hillman left to join J.D Souther and Richie Furay in the Souther Hillman Furay Band (with previous posts here), and took Al Perkins, Paul Harris, and Joe Lala with him for that band. Stills went back to CSN&Y for a 1974 tour and expected album, but the album (and parts of the tour) fell apart before completion. But for 1972, Manassas was flying high making great music in the studio and on tour.
Tracklist:
CD1
1. Rock And Roll Woman
2. Bound To Fall
3. Hot Burrito #2
4. It Doesn't Matter
5. Go Back Home
6. Change Partners
7. Know You Got To Run
8. 4 & 20
9. Intro to
10. Bluesman
11. Word Game
12. Do For The Others
13. Move Around
14. Both Of Us (Bound To Lose)
15. Love The One You're With
16. He Was A Friend Of Mine >
CD2
1. Fallen Eagle
2. Hide It So Deep
3. Johnny's Garden
4. Don't Look At My Shadow
5. Sugar Babe
6. Four Days Gone
7. <For What It's Worth.
8. <Song Of Love
9. Rock And Roll Crazies
10. Cuban Bluegrass
11. Jet Set [Sigh]
12. Anyway>
13. The Treasure
14. Find The Cost Of Freedom
Bonus Tracks (1972-04-22 - Dania, FL)
1. So You Want To Be A Rock 'n' Roll Star
2. Crossroads > Black Queen
3. You're Still On My Mind
4. 49 Bye Byes > For What It's Worth
5. Right Now
6. Carry On
Manassas is:
Stephen Stills - vocals, guitar, bottleneck guitar, piano, organ.
Chris Hillman - vocals, guitar, mandolin
Al Perkins - steel guitar, guitar, vocals
Calvin "Fuzzy" Samuels - bass
Paul Harris - organ, tack piano, piano, organ.
Dallas Taylor - drums
Joe Lala - percussion, vocals
FLAC - Manassas_1972-03-22_Amsterdam(FM)_Flac_CD1.rar
Manassas_1972-03-22_Amsterdam(FM)_Flac_CD2+.rar
MP3 - Manassas_1972-03-22_Amsterdam(FM)_MP3.rar
