Search - Manassas :: Pieces

Aptly Titled

Christopher Henrici | Washington, DC United States | 09/22/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Manassas engineers Ron and Howard Albert went through the master reels they had and compiled "Pieces"- mostly worthy tracks that were not quite album ready. The first few songs live up to what we might expect from musicians of this caliber. Manassas was more of a real band than say CSNY which was more like 4 seperate personalities working within a "band" context. They sound nothing like CSNY. Manassas' sound has more in common with Joe walsh or early Santana than CSNY. Actually Joe Walsh plays on a tune here. As the disc goes along it loses some momentum and we wind up with a handfull of 2 minute bluegrass work outs. The disc has 15 tracks but cues up at just 43 minutes, so some of the tracks really are just pieces, songs not fully fleshed out or jam snippets. The sound on the disc is good, fans who had the first Lp know it had a nice earthy sound to it. I'd like to see some live material come out- which is reported to be in the works along with some studio tracks with Hendrix (who played on Stills solo album). There are a few things here that make it desirable to collectors. I'm always on the fence about these type of releases, do they dilute an artists work, or add something meaningful to it?- I'd say this disc does both, but is better quality than usually found on archival or "deluxe" issues."

Manassas Redeemed

o dubhthaigh | north rustico, pei, canada | 09/24/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Stills should have been the American Clapton. He certainly had no fewer vices and yet his muse was a fragile thing that would come and go as he engaged in different projects or dissolute directions. His records, then, can be very hit or miss, and by the 90's were largely less than impressive. And that's the tragedy. He had talent to spare and Manassas at its peak was a force to be reckoned with. After a very strong debut, he followed with an overproduced second album, a protean live document and then the brilliant Manassas double CD. Unfortunately, that was followed by Down The Road, as low a point in Stills' canon as there is. PIECES represents sessions engaged between the first record and DTR, and it's a genuine pity that this was not the second album. All of Stills' strengths are on display and none of his weakenesses. DTR followed these sessions and somewhere along the way the songs fell flat and the musicianship got unfocused and Stills' voice sounded like he had spent the weekend yelling at people. It was a mess. This, while not quite Stills 1 or the first Manassas, is a joy start to finish. There are songs you have not heard before, songs that would find life with the Flying Burritos, songs that recapitulated earlier statements from Just Roll Tape and Stills 2, and what results is a well-disciplined band hitting on all its cylinders. This band must have been a powerhouse live, and God willing, Stills has some tape worth releasing that documents just how good both the front line and the rhythm section were in concert.



Obviously, in the overly competitive framework of CSNY, this band was a gauntlet thrown at Crazy Horse and the CN back up bands of the time. Crazy Horse was a barely competent gaggle of misfits who could somehow rise above their abilities under the direction of Young and Briggs. CN's group of crack session players had to deal with Crosby's relentless indulgences of a different crack, and over a very short time could no longer rescue him from free fall. Manassas in some ways would not be able to save Stills from himself either, but while they were on, they were mighty. And how can you lose with Chris Hillman, Al Perkins, Joe Lala, Calvin Samuels, et al?



As I mentioned, Stills' career would have erratic highs (STILLS, Illegal Stills, Stills Alone, CSN 2) and lows (everything else), but just when you'd be ready to write him off, along comes MAN ALIVE, his very best CD. He readily admits that he isn't sure if he still has it, but perhaps by reviewing his CV he'll find he can rejuvenate his strengths. As a cancer survivor and dedicated Democratic campaigner, Stills has something to say that we all could learn from. While the next CSN CD is purported to be a Richard Rubin covers set, I'd rather have Stills head to the woodshed."

Manassas was a GREAT Band

Richard A. Hayes | Charleston SC | 09/25/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a very good album. Should have been the basis for the second Manassas album. They were such a great live band, and the two disc first album is among the best albums of the 1970s. I highly recommend this for anyone, not just Stills/Manassas fans. Even though some of the cuts are just "pieces", the production quality is really very good (nothing like the "Down the Road" Manassas album, which sounds muffled and the vocals are horrible sounding). This showcases how eclectic Manassas was, whether rock, bluegrass or blues. Some real gems in this collection. I cannot wait until the live album comes out."