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April 1, 1972
New Musical Express - Stills Dutch Treat
Inside the Full Exclusive on Steve Stills Tremendous Amsterdam
Debut With Manassas
Front Row Reviews
MANASSAS
Exclusive picture story by Robert Ellis
Stephen Still chose Amsterdam for the debut gig of Manassas his
new group. The moment I arrived in Amsterdam I knew why. It is
a beautiful city where the people just let things happen - naturally,
no hassles, a friendly place. And so it was at the Concertgbouw
- an impressive box-like edifice of a hall in the old style dedicated
to the high classics.
There had been some doubt about the concert happening at all because
Ajax were playing the Arsenal that night and it was anybody's
guess whether the dutch could split their attentions.
No one need have worried. Television sets everywhere around blared
forth the frantic happenings as the hall quietly filled to overflowing.
Excitement was in the air. Anticipation, curiosity, apprehension.
What would these seven guys be like? The filming lights glared
over the packed heads to the stage. Video cameras strategically
at the ready, and film crew cool and discreet - naturally.
Eventually the house lights dimmed and on rambled the band. Stephen
Stills, Chris Hillman, (who shares vocals with Steve) Dallas Taylor (drums), Paul Harris,
(keyboards), Joe Lala (percussion), Al Perkins (steel guitar),
and Calvin "Fuzzy" Samuels (bass).
The initial frantic rush of photographers produced ludicrous scenes
the like of which I have not experienced since Dylan at the Isle
of Wight. The TV crew were completely swamped. The stewards had
to clear a space, the only work they had to do all night.
From the start it was obvious this was a special band. Presenting
in separate songs the influence of jazz, latin, rock, folk, country
and bluegrass. A free musical style to end all musical styles.
It began in the country/rock vein including "49 Bye Bye's," "Hot
Burrito," "It Doesn't Matter," featuring the fine steel guitar
of Al Perkins.
"Go Back Home," featured some fine guitar from Stills. He then
announced an interval and explained that the show was divided
into three parts, basically rock, mainly acoustic, and back to
rock.
"We'll be here for the next four hours so don't go away," he said
to a roar of approval.
Smoothly and efficiently the stage was reset and a grand piano
ascended majestically through the stage on it's own lift. Ten
minutes and Stills was back with 6 and 12 string and banjo. We
were treated to some fine delicate playing, some nice piano from
Paul and harmony from Chris Hillman who also should get a mention
for excellence in musicianship.
All these superlatives may begin to get a little boring, but I
can't apologize. Aside from a few shaky numbers on some of Stills
older material, the quality of Manassas was there for all to see.
The third part was certainly the high spot - and the audience
was certainly pretty high. Singing and clapping along to the new
stuff from the forthcoming album, here they let their collective
hair down and really got it on - no messing.
Great improvisation from Hillman and Perkins; heavy drumming from
Dallas with Joe Lala keeping things jumping along.
"Rock and Roll Crazies" featured well here, with a solo from Steve
Stills. That was followed by a spontaneous 'jam' which produced
some amazing sounds. It just went on getting better and better.
I lost track of the numbers.
After the obligatory encore the audience was just not ready to
leave. Another number. The audience just slow hand clapped for
more.
Ten solid minutes later and Manassas just had to come back for
yet another number for the enraptured crowd.
Just as they came on for this last time the greeting turned to
dismay as the film lights fused. No bother, the roadies calmly
and smoothly put up the regular stage lighting.
Nothing was going to go wrong with this show.
Then, as a little extra goodbye, four of the band gathered round
a microphone and sang in close harmony a few bars of gentle, magic
music.
I make no apologies for missing song titles.
It was mainly new stuff anyway, co-written by Chris and Steve.
It didn't matter. The music and the vibes were enough, and they
were beautiful....
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