Album Information:

About Stephen Stills & Manassas:

Stephen Stills is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and guitarist who gained fame as a member of the folk-rock supergroup Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. He was born on January 3, 1945, in Dallas, Texas, and grew up in various locations around the United States. Stills developed an interest in music at a young age, and by the time he was a teenager, he was playing guitar in various bands.

In 1966, Stills formed the folk-rock group Buffalo Springfield with Neil Young, Richie Furay, Bruce Palmer, and Dewey Martin. The group released three albums, but tensions within the band led to its breakup in 1968.

After the breakup of Buffalo Springfield, Stills formed a new band called Manassas. The band's lineup included Chris Hillman of the Byrds, Al Perkins, Fuzzy Samuels, Paul Harris, Dallas Taylor, Joe Lala and Stills himself. The band's sound was a fusion of rock, country, and Latin music.

Manassas released their self-titled debut album in 1972, which was a critical and commercial success. The album featured the hit singles 'It Doesn't Matter' and 'Rock and Roll Crazies'. The follow-up album, 'Down the Road', was released a year later and also received critical acclaim.

Despite the success of Manassas, the group disbanded in 1973. Stills continued his solo career and released a string of successful albums, including 'Stills' (1975), 'Illegal Stills' (1976), and 'Right by You' (1984).

Throughout his career, Stills has collaborated with numerous musicians, including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, and Joni Mitchell. He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, first as a member of Buffalo Springfield and later as a member of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

In conclusion, Stephen Stills is a legendary musician who has had a long and successful career in the music industry. His time with Manassas produced some of his most memorable work and helped solidify his status as a respected musician and songwriter.

About the album Down The Road:

Down The Road is an album by the American rock band Manassas, led by legendary musicians Stephen Stills and Chris Hillman. Released in 1973, the album was an eclectic mix of rock, country, folk, and blues, showcasing the band's versatility and unique blend of musical styles.

The album opens with the title track, 'Down The Road', a upbeat country-rock number with catchy harmonies and intricate guitar work. The song sets the tone for the rest of the album, with its lively energy and upbeat spirit.

Next up is 'Isn't It About Time', a hard-driving rocker with a catchy melody and blistering guitar solos. The song features dynamic interplay between Stills and his fellow bandmates, with each member given room to shine.

Other standout tracks on the album include 'Bound To Fall', a soulful ballad with rich vocal harmonies and a haunting, bluesy guitar riff. 'Do You Remember The Americans' is a rollicking anthem that celebrates the spirit of American music, with its infectious melody and infectious energy.

Another standout is 'So Begins The Task', a contemplative ballad with a beautiful, melancholy melody. The song showcases Stills' skills as a songwriter and performer, with his emotive vocals and intricate guitar work.

Overall, Down The Road is a remarkable album that showcases Stephen Stills and Manassas at their very best. The album demonstrates their ability to blend different musical genres into a single cohesive sound, while showcasing their impressive musicianship and songwriting skills. With its rich melodies, complex harmonies, and dynamic instrumental performances, it remains a beloved classic of 1970s rock and roll.

Members:

Stephen Stills & Manassas were a rock band formed in 1971, led by singer-songwriter Stephen Stills. The band had several lineups throughout its existence, so here are brief biographies of some of the key members:

1. Stephen Stills - born in 1945 in Texas, Stills is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He rose to prominence in the 1960s as a member of Buffalo Springfield and later Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Stills' style blends rock, folk, country, blues, and Latin music, and he is known for his intricate guitar work and soulful vocals.

2. Chris Hillman - born in 1944 in California, Hillman is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known for his work with The Byrds, where he played bass and contributed to the band's harmonies. Hillman also played in The Flying Burrito Brothers and later formed his own band, Desert Rose Band.

3. Al Perkins - born in 1944 in Texas, Perkins is a guitarist and pedal steel player. He has played with a variety of artists in his career, including Gram Parsons, The Eagles, and Emmylou Harris. Perkins' unique style on the pedal steel guitar contributed to the distinctive sound of Manassas.

4. Fuzzy Samuels - born in 1947 in Louisiana, Samuels was the bass player for Manassas. He had previously played with Stills in a short-lived band called The Rides. Samuels' bass lines provided a sturdy foundation for the band's eclectic blend of musical styles.

5. Paul Harris - born in 1934 in Illinois, Harris was a keyboard player who had worked with many artists in the music industry, including Johnny Cash, Jerry Garcia, and Bonnie Raitt. His contributions on piano and organ added depth and texture to Manassas' sound.

6. Dallas Taylor - born in 1948 in Colorado, Taylor was the drummer for Manassas. He had previously played with Stills in Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and was known for his powerful and dynamic drumming style.

Together, these musicians created a unique and influential sound that blended rock, folk, country, and blues in a way that reflects the rich musical heritage of America.

Track List for Down The Road:

I'm sorry, but the album 'Down The Road' was not created by Stephen Stills & Manassas. The album 'Down The Road' was actually created by Van Morrison in 2002. I can provide the tracklist and descriptions of each song on that album:

1. 'Down the Road' (5:20) - The title track of the album is an upbeat jazz-infused song that showcases Morrison's signature voice and horn arrangements.

2. 'Meet Me in the Indian Summer' (4:05) - A slower, bluesy track that features Morrison's soulful vocals and dreamy instrumentation.

3. 'Steal My Heart Away' (4:22) - One of the more popular tracks on the album, 'Steal My Heart Away' is a romantic ballad that showcases Morrison's skills as both a singer and songwriter.

4. 'Hey Mr. DJ' (3:53) - A fun, upbeat track that features Morrison's playful lyrics and catchy guitar riffs.

5. 'Talk is Cheap' (4:14) - This track highlights Morrison's love of blues and soul music, with its heavy bass line and soulful vocals.

6. 'Choppin' Wood' (3:40) - An uptempo blues track that features Morrison's harmonica skills and driving guitar rhythms.

7. 'What Makes the Irish Heart Beat' (4:09) - A tribute to Morrison's Irish heritage, this track features traditional Irish instrumentation and Morrison's heartfelt vocals.

8. 'All Work and No Play' (4:06) - A fun, energetic track that highlights Morrison's love of R&B and rock music.

9. 'Whatever Happened to PJ Proby?' (3:44) - A tongue-in-cheek track that pokes fun at the music industry, with Morrison's clever lyrics and upbeat instrumentation.

10. 'The Beauty of the Days Gone By' (5:44) - The final track on the album is a reflective ballad that features Morrison's poignant lyrics and lush instrumentation.

Discography for Stephen Stills & Manassas:

Albums:
1. Stephen Stills - 1970
2. Stephen Stills 2 - 1971
3. Manassas - 1972
4. Down the Road - 1973

Singles:
1. 'Love the One You're With' / 'To a Flame' - Stephen Stills - 1970
2. 'Sit Yourself Down' / 'We Are Not Helpless' - Stephen Stills - 1970
3. 'Use the Blues' / 'Cherokee' - Stephen Stills - 1971
4. 'Change Partners' / 'Know You Got to Run' - Stephen Stills - 1971
5. 'It Doesn't Matter' / 'Go Back Home' - Manassas - 1972
6. 'Rock & Roll Crazies' / 'Cuban Bluegrass' - Manassas - 1973

Other releases:
1. Live at the Fillmore East - Manassas (live album) - 2004 (recorded in 1970)