Stephen Stills and Manassas released a brilliant debut album in 1972 and it would become recognized as one of the better albums of its era. So what did they do for an encore? They issued a solid, if not brilliant follow-up.
Down The Road has been criticized as a poor album, but I have to disagree. It may not have had the highs of its predecessor, but there are also very few lows. Any of the tracks could have been included on their first album without reducing its quality. Unfortunately this was the last gasp for Manassas as Stephen Stills was again moving on. In retrospect he should have realized that this band was a keeper.
All the musicians from the classic first release were back. Drummer Dallas Taylor, guitarist Chris Hillman, percussionist Joe Lala, pianist Al Perkins, bassist Fuzzy Samuels, and steel guitarist Al Perkins formed a tight and talented unit. They were also a notable live band. Stills, Hillman, and Taylor shared production chores for the second album in a row.
The one fact which is very plain is the writing credits. Members of the group wrote or co-wrote five of the ten tracks with Stills. That means Stills took a solo writing credit for the other five, which was a much smaller percentage than the first album and may say something about his overall commitment.
There is a lot of listenable material here. “Isn’t It About Time” is a hard edged rocker with Joe Walsh bringing his guitar virtuosity to the mix. “Down The Road” is another competent rock tune. Even Chris Hillman gets into the rock ‘n’ roll act on “Lies” with his lyrics about superficial love. “Rollin’ The Stone” is the final track and it sends Manassas rocking into the night. To truly appreciate this track you need to turn your stereo system up to near sonic levels, sit back, and hang on to something.
My favorite track may be “Pensamiento” which is a nice Latin influenced rock fusion piece with Stills providing some stellar piano work.
Down The Road remains very representative of early seventies rock. It may not be a masterpiece but it is very good. It was also a farewell to one of the better bands of its time.
by David Bowling
Tracks
1. Isn't It About Time - 3:02
2. Lies (Chris Hillman) - 2:55
3. Pensamiento (Nelson Escoto, Stephen Stills) - 2:37
4. So Many Times (Chris Hillman, Stephen Stills) - 3:31
5. Business Οn Τhe Street - 2:56
6. Do You Remember Τhe Americans - 2:10
7. Down Τhe Road - 3:17
8. City Junkies - 2:54
9. Guaguanco De Vero (Joe Lala, Stephen Stills) - 2:58
10.Rollin' My Stone (Calvin "Fuzzy" Samuels, Stephen Stills) - 4:47
All compositions by Stephen Stills except where stated
The Manassas
*Stephen Stills - Guitar, Piano, Bass, Vocals
*Dallas Taylor - Drums
*Chris Hillman - Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Vocals
*Joe Lala - Percussion, Vocals
*Al Perkins - Guitar, Pedal Steel Guitar, Banjo
*Calvin "Fuzzy" Samuel - Bass, Vocals
*Paul Harris - Piano
With
*Joe Walsh - Slide Guitar
*Bobby Whitlock - Keyboards
*Sydney George - Flute
*Jerry Aiello - Organ
*Charlie Grimes - Guitar
*Guille Garcia - Percussion
*Lachy Espinol - Percussion
*Pat Arnold - Vocals
1970 Stephen Stills - Stephen Stills (2008 japan SHM remaster)
1971-73 Manassas - Pieces (2009 release)
1972 Stephen Stills - Manassas (2006 HDCD)
1975-76/78 Stephen Stills - Stills / Illegal Stills / Thoroughfare Gap (2007 double disc issue)
Related Acts
1968 Mike Bloomfield, Al Kooper, Steve Stills - The Super Sessions (2014 Hybrid Multichannel SACD 24/88)
1974 Crosby Stills Nash And Young - Live (2013 four discs box set)
1976 The Stills Young Band - Long May You Run
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