The self-titled debut album from Stephen Stills' short-lived band Manassas, an all-too hidden treasure trove of classic-rock greatness, was released in April 1972.

Split into four individually titled and thematically distinct sides, this wide-ranging double-album set found the former Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash star Stills at the height of his powers.

He also assembled quite a team for the project, including Chris Hillman of the Byrds, steel guitarist Al Perkins, keyboardist Paul Harris, the late percussionist Joe Lala and two members of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's backing band – deceased drummer Dallas Taylor and bassist Calvin "Fuzzy" Samuels.

This expansive group, many of whom performed on Stills' 1971 solo album, explored rock, blues, folk and country along with a generous undercurrent of Latin rhythms through the album's 21 tracks.

Watch Manassas Perform 'Bound to Fall'

Even with all the talent involved, Manassas remains primarily a showcase for Stills' impressive songwriting, guitar playing and singing talents. Highlights include, well, pretty much everything, including the album's opening-side suite of largely interconnected songs ("The Raven"), the absolutely gorgeous folk-rock of "Johnny's Garden" and "How Far," the epic "The Treasure" and the floating, dreamy "Both of Us (Bound to Lose)."

Stills' previous solo records had been met with mixed reaction, but Rolling Stone seemed to speak for many critics and fans of the era when they called Manassas a triumphant comeback: "Most of it has a substantial, honest sound found on too few records these days. All the sounds you hear come from the seven group members."

The review also singled out Hillman for praise, saying his "importance in the success of Manassas and in the comeback of Stills can't be over-stressed. ... He's a masterful musician whether he's playing bass, guitar, or mandolin – and his boyishly pure, uncolored voice can carry a lot of emotional weight."

Manassas returned with a second album, Down the Road, in 1973. But it lacked the magic of this predecessor and the group soon split up as Stills rejoined CSNY for a massive, but ill-fated 1974 tour. A collection of unreleased demos and songs from Manassas called Pieces was released in 2009.
 

 

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