If there had been a second thematic double album, it would have been great to have an entire Latin side. Down the Road sounds to me like they were aiming for four separate sides (rock, blues, country, Latin) but didn't go through with it.
I recently had a party for a friend at my house. It was in celebration of the opening of an exhibit of her photographs at the Pump House, La Crosse's community art center. All of our extended group was invited and came over. In driving home from the gallery, "Johnny's Garden" was playing in my head. Once the crowd assembled, I put on the first album of the night, the incomparable side one of Manassas. It went over big, with some folks recognizing the album. In any case, the party started with a bang. I was fortunate enough to see Manassas when they played Stanford on November 8, 1972, at the university's basketball arena, Maples Pavilion. Here is the review from the Stanford Daily. Not mentioned in the review is at one point they played all of the album's first side as a suite. I had never heard a band cover their record before and loved it. I have to admit when I play Manassas, sometimes I skip the country side and just play sides one, three and four. But I've also played just side 2. While it sounds fine by itself, somehow I find it a detour from the rest of the record. To each his own. It doesn't change the fact that Manassas is one of the few perfect double albums. Somewhere, probably in one of those locked threads, I read that the master used for the Rhino release was the same one cut for the Classic Records one. Because of that, I never bothered with the Classics remaster and just have listened to the Rhino version, which is a heck of a lot better sounding than my old first pressing. After reading a comment upthread, I just ordered a sealed copy of the Classic Records release for $45, which might be the best record buy I've made in the new year. When it arrives in a week or two, I'll post what I find in differences or similarities between the matrix numbers of the two. Manassas is a desert island LP for me.
The Classic Records 200g release has been my go to pressing of this album since it was released. Hope you like it.
Is there a preferred recent version of this on vinyl ? This thread makes me want to put the stills box set on.
I bought "Down the Road" when it came out but I don't think I've ever yet listened to it. Hadn't heard about "Pieces" so I listened a bit on youtube. Well, that certainly is the sound of Criteria for sure. I dunno, I bought the first album when it came out and there was just so much material on it. I really only liked "Right Now", "Bound to Lose" (too many "bound" titles on that album), and "It Doesn't Matter". I heard all three on the radio a few times but they didn't grab. I saw Manassas twice supporting the first album and they were just "okay". I was jaded from following the Springfield when they were together and couldn't get that out of my head at the time. My memory of one of the concerts was that the entire lighting trick was that at the end of the final encore, the cross stage lighting truss rod was lowered by motor until it was basically lying on the stage where the band had been. On the way slowly down, the blue lights faded,faded,faded. Maybe the crew were just in a hurry to get out of Chicago that night. It didn't quite compare to lighting I was seeing on Yes tour shows, but hey, Manassas wasn't a light show kinda act. I also remember that tour because it was the one where I finally got face to face with Steve in an airplane hangar one morning next to the Learjet he and Chris and Veronique (sp?) and a couple of others were renting for the tour. I'd been trying unsuccessfully to talk to him for almost five years. It wasn't the most coherent of conversations on Steve's part, but Chris was really nice. I was showing Steve some Springfield pics I had taken at shows and other places as well... Chris says "oh, there's Rich...oh there's Nancy...oh look at that....oh, look at this" He was sooo nice. Steve loosened up after a while, introduced me to his new wife, and we talked. But man, it was freezing in there and the jet was not powered up yet for heat and nowhere ready to go. Which was good for me I guess.
Down The Road was a seriously compromised album, no thanks to Ahmet Ertegun's intervening. It probably could have been another double album, had they used all of the available material, good bad and indifferent. Damn right. When it's all written down, Stills will probably be most remembered for "For What It's Worth" and "Suite Judy Blue Eyes", with Manassas forgotten by all but the diehard fans. That just seems so wrong, somehow...when you've got a band/album like Manassas, who needs Crosby or Nash...or Young, for that matter.
Saw Manassas in '72 & '73, both times at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md., The '73 show was a Sunday afternoon and had Joe Walsh's Barnstorm opening. The '72 show was a Friday night, we got there late (in time for Manassas), so no recollection of any opening act. They were on ABC's In Concert. At the time it wasn't carried in Baltimore, so I watched it on Washington's Channel 7, and it was simulcast on a D.C. FM station... March 16, 1973 Stephen Stills and Manassas - 37:44 - Carry On, Know You Got to Run, Word Game, Remember the Americans, So You Want to Be a Rock 'n Roll Star, Go Back Home, Pensamiento, 49 Reasons/For What it's Worth, Find the Cost of Freedom The only problem with Down The Road is that it followed the S/T masterpiece.
Upthread I mentioned I had the 1999 Classic Records version of Manassas coming and that my playing copy was the 2010 Rhino remaster. Listening tonight, the Classic version does sound better but I'd recommend the Rhino to you, Opeth, because it is still available, sounds really good and comes in a better package. I was mislead in that the Classic and Rhino versions used the same master. They don't. Both were cut by Bernie Grundman so I can understand the confusion. Here is the matrix information for my copies: Classic Records SD 2-903 0996 etched: SD 2-903 A/B/C/D BG Atlantic RA1-903 etched: RI-00903-A/B/C/D BGstamped, record 1: 20215 stamped, record 2: 20216 The stamped numbers on my Rhino copy indicate it was pressed in Germany at Pallas. Someone has posted an American press on Discogs but with no pressing information. Initially, I know all the copies were Pallas ones. If anybody buys a current copy - Amazon has them for $34 - I'd like to know if this has changed. The cover and inserts are vastly superior with the Rhino version. The Classic cover looks like it's a picture of a picture and its yellow tint is all wrong, as is the gloss finish. The Rhino cover is made from the correct textured matte paper. The front and back picture, while deliberately out of focus, is sharper and has the proper pink wash to it. The Classic has a single printed inner sleeve where the Rhino has two plus the poster. You've got to have the poster! It has individual shots of the band members on the front and the lyrics, in what looks to be Steve's hand, on the back. The packaging is a big win for Rhino. The Classic is tops in sound but let's put that into perspective. The Rhino beats the pants off the original American pressing. I bought at least two copies back in the good ol' days trying to find one that didn't have a layer of haze covering the music and never could. I kept wanting to turn down the fuzz knob. All of that is gone with the Rhino. With the Rhino master, Bernie gave the music a shave and a haircut. The sound is much clearer in the midrange and there are more highs. The difference isn't even close. That said, Classic Records sure knew how to make an LP. Plus, as the two masters were cut at different times, who knows what Bernie had for his source for the Rhino? I'm reasonably comfortable, given Classic Record's credentials, that he had the analog master for theirs. The bass is deeper and more articulate than the Rhino, and at times there is even a hint of depth to the image. The treble is extended. The Classic remaster has greater dynamics. There's simply more music. But let's not get carried away here. Manassas will never sound great. Even with the Classic Records master, Manassas sounds like it was recorded inside of a giant Nerf ball. This will never be an album you will put on for someone to show how good your stereo sounds. Instead, you'll play Manassas to show off your good taste.
This is so damn good...was just about to post it. THANKS! Well, dang...here is it again! But with video too...featuring the late great Dallas Taylor on the kit. STEPHEN STILLS MANASSAS.avi
Have been listening to Manassas' second LP and it gets panned way too much. I find much to love and it deserves second or many listens. Most bands would die to record the likes of Down The Road. Just don't compare it to their masterpiece in a critical way. Down The Road
Some folks read the old reviews and write it off without a real listen. Give it a second chance...full album here:
Waking up to see how this thread is being appreciated really puts a smile on my face. Shows me I made the right choice !
Regarding the second album, yes, it is underrated. Stills was infatuated with the Latin rhythms and in this case this is the weakest point.
One of my favorite albums from C,S or N. I like the four distinct sides for playing to your mood and side one rocks hard. I've had the song Jesus Gave Love Away For Free in my head recently for some strange reason.
Just played the album yesterday after not hearing it for awhile. Not one song I’d skip across four sides. That’s a pretty impressive achievement right there.
Absolutely. It's going to be a windy, rainy day today and I have nowhere I need to go so I'm going to take it out for a spin too. I've always been happy with my original lp(s) so I never bothered buying the Classic Records reissue.
I have two original copies with somewhat different deadwax and one sounds notably better than the other. I was satisfied enough with the better copy to skip the Rhino reissue that got good reviews. Forgot there was a Classic reissue too. I’ve never seen that one. I think the original cd sounds alright too, but I’ve never compared it to the lp.
I’ve only ever heard the first album, but I like that one a lot. It contains some of Stephen Stills’ best work and is one of my favorite CSNY side albums.
Personally I would put Manassas up there with his first album. Those two are essential imo. He made other good music but those two are top shelf.