Pier Williamson
December 12, 2015
It’s a damn shame Manassas did not last longer. Only two albums in 1972 and 1973, but both fantastic, especially this eponymous debut. "A sprawling masterpiece" is the perfect description by Allmusic. It is akin to a country, more acoustic version of "Exile on Main St." However, it rocks almost as hard in some parts, especially the opening "The Raven" portion of the album (the album is divided into four parts, one for each side of the double album, respectively entitled "The Raven," "The Wilderness," "Consider," and "Rock & Roll is Here to Stay"). A true gem and Stephen Stills' best work, aided by fantastic musicians every bit as talented as CSNY, if not more so, especially Chris Hillman, who has a few songwriting credits here, taking lead vocals on these particular tracks; plus Paul Harris on keyboards, Al Perkins on slide guitar and pedal steel and Dallas Taylor on drums. The song writing is incredible. The album flows from rock n' roll, to country, to bluegrass, to folk, to blues, highlighted by the opening track "Song of Love," the medley: "Rock & Roll Crazies" > "Cuban Bluegrass," the following acoustics numbers: "Fallen Eagle," "Colorado," and "Don't Look at My Shadow," "Bound to Fall," "The Love Gangster," "What to Do" and the closing "Blues Man." A classic Atlantic Records release, featuring outstanding engineering by the Albert Brothers and production from Criteria Studios in Miami. A top 10 rock album of all-time. It’s that good.
This is Stephen Stills at his best with amazing support. Truly one of the best rock albums ever recorded. I've loved it for over 40 years.
William Love
April 2, 2016
The answer to Gram Parson's unfulfilled vision, as well as a sprawling masterpiece.....
I am not sure why I bought this on I tunes a few years ago but I did. I played it only a few months back for the first time and now, after maybe the tenth run through. I'm all in, and will go see Stephen soon, surely sometimes yelling out "play Manassas"!
It's four albums melded. It's about love, break up, redemption, forgiveness, unity, separation, destiny and ultimately, about being fulfilled, no matter what.
I wondered when I first listened, thinking how much like Gram Parson, musically, it sounded sometimes. I thought, "huh, sounds like Chris Hillman". How about a band with Chris Hillman as your supporting guitarist? How about a band that allows itself to get gritty, dirty, to let their heart strings get cut to shreds? A song loving Colorado, coupled with a song disdaining Colorado. It's a "Guy album", as good as any "chick flick, tear jerking lady lover", as ever there was. "So begins the task" is the complete song that would assist anyone in moving on after a relationship of any kind. I could give a brief of every song, but that would be my findings, and defeat one of the recording's greatest gifts, to find your own. The sweet accompanyments of Crosby or Nash? Not here baby, this is the trenches; it works so well with the supporting musicians singing their beings out subtly, soulfully and directly. At times its a blues band, other times it's Gram Parson's without the suicidal melancholy, it's sometimes a snappier Loggins and Messina meets CSN, other times alike to Tumbleweed Connection, but most often it's an ass kicking rock and roll extravaganza.
Stephen Stills, reunite, do a "21st century Steely Dan thing", and do a tour where you play these songs, with as many original artists as are willing and alive. Bill Wyman maybe would, as he has said he'd have left the Stones to play in this band; I'm sure Astrid wouldn't mind if it was a short tour. You gotta have Chris Hillman no matter what.. Please!. The world needs to know this as the greatness it is, I have a group of 150 on Face Book, "the music I chose to listen to today", and my first post of it is the only post unnoticed. Wtf? I'll try again, maybe just post Johnny's Garden...
It's exemplorarary of genius through and through. The esoteric meanderings allow the listener to form their own bonds in a way I've never known an album to do; we are talking the likes of Ziggy Stardust. That's saying so much and it's all true.
Listen to this in full until you get it, is all I have left to say, Bravo Stephen AND all contributing artists; just found out Jerry Garcia was one of them, so you quadrupole know it's great!
Every music aficionado is compelled to experience this album at some point, as no musical odyssey is complete without it. Manassas' self-titled effort is one of those moments in time that defines the scope of music that verily emanates from it in all directions. This is one of the necessary hubs between the '60s and the '70s/'80s (and every resulting piece of rock afterward), as well as between country and roots rock.
Stephen Stills of Crosby, Stills and Nash heads this project, which is essentially mellow rock at its elemental best (of interest is that in CSN's catalog, only Deja Vu can claim to be in this realm). To start with, there are 21 tracks, most of which are keepers. If you've got 70 minutes with nothing to do, do it with Manassas as your soundtrack, and be transformed back to when music was stripped down to the core. Just put the needle on the record, sit back, and enjoy the ambiance. There, was that so hard?
Ok, it is Stills' best post Deja vu work, but sprawling masterpiece? Saying he had better back up than Crosby & Nash doesn't require anything too extraordinary, but he was wise in selecting the players for this project. This could have been a great single album with a couple of leftovers to help improve the mediocre follow up. The only common thread I see with Gram Parsons is the fact neither of them could stay in a band for more than 2 years.
To Caldwell: Your Mom says you can't put up anymore posters in her basement. Maybe you can take down your Grand Funk poster to make room for this one. Sorry, but Steve didn't actually write the lyrics out on each poster.
Last thought: Bill Wyman must have stopped taking whatever drugs he was using. He's still alive at 88.
I don't know why it took me so long to discover this masterpiece; perhaps the likely reason is because of the criminally underrated nature of this great album so aptly described as akin to The White Album or Exile both of which in addition to this although at first blush sounding like a stew of mishmashed tracks but over time actually sounds destined to be put in this order and any changes to the track order would amount to sacrilege. I managed to find a mini-lp sleeve cd version from Japan used but in excellent condition which also has the poster with the handwritten lyrics which while costing a little more was to me still a value purchase. This album should really be better known and how it is not ranked among the 100 Greatest Albums of all time by Rolling Stones magazine really boggles the mind. Very very highly recommended!
This review is for the cd remaster from original tapes by Joe Gastwirt @ Ocean View Digital.
The remaster is a joke. just terrible. Vocals sound like there was a pillow between the singers and their mic's. I have a higher end 2.1 stereo system (200watts into 6 ohms) but I have to crank the volume way beyond any cd in my collection just to get any dynamics whatsoever. I love the album. It is a classic for sure but, find another release.
Been listening to this masterpiece for 50 years. Finally playing a few songs of this with my band, should have started doing that 30 years ago of course🤦♂️🤣
Brandon Barker
February 24, 2026
Just don't compare this masterpiece to anything by Wilco. Thank you, management.
Ronnie smith
January 17, 2021
Incredible music.
Blues Man dedicated to Duane Allman & Jimi Hendrix.
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