This record by Stephen Stills and Manassas may well be the perfect album. It has a bit of everything, all done exceptionally well. It was big gamble for the record company, being a double album, but it paid off handsomely. This album firmly established Stephen as an icon as a solo artist, after already being established as one with his previous bands: The Buffalo Springfield, Crosby Stills and Nash, and Crosby Stills, Nash and Young. He ventured into some uncharted territory here with each side being completely different in style and approach. He took some risks, and they paid off.
Side one is called "The Raven", and features latin flavored rock music, that goes back to Stephen's childhood influences from living briefly in Panama. Very pulsing and very rhythmic, and of course, great guitar work. It ends with a wonderful relationship song, " Both of Us Bound To Lose".
Side two, "The Wilderness", ventures into country music, complete with fiddles, mandolins, and banjos. Opening with the fast paced "Fallen Eagle", the tone for this entire side is quickly set. Two other gems on this side are the pensive longing ballad "Colorado", and the fear of break-up ballad "So Begins The Task", both with great pedal steel to emphasize the emotions.
"Consider" is the third side, featuring a more general collection of songs, including the minor hit from this record "It Doesn't Matter", and the beautiful acoustic guitar piece "Johnny's Garden". It concludes with the funky "The Love Gangster".
Side four, "Rock & Roll Is Here To Stay", is just that, rock. Still"s electric guitar chops really shine here, particularly on the 8 minute extended piece "The Treasure". I love extended guitar jams, and this is a really good one. The album concludes with a bluesy solo acoustic guitar song called, appropriately enough, "Blues Man".
I can never decide which Stephen Stills I like best, the electric guitar genius, or the acoustic guitar master. Fortunately on this record there's ample portions of both so I don't have to worry about it. Due to the diversity of the music and the quality of the songs, this is one of the few records I never tire of. I really think it may well be the perfect album. Thank you Stephen Stills and Manassas.
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