''Pieces'' is a compilation of alternate takes and outtakes from
Stephen Stills’s band
Manassas's two albums, 1972’s ''
Manassas'' and 1973’s ''
Down the Road''. Released in 2009.
Background
"This is the first in a series of retrospective recordings that Stills plans to issue, among them a box set, a live set, and (in association with Experience Hendrix) an album of studio session demos he recorded with Jimi Hendrix, his then guitar teacher (Hendrix appeared on Stills' debut solo effort), as well as a live compilation."
The songs were recorded from late 1971-1973, during rehearsals at Stills English mansion, Criteria Studios, and in Colorado, with the exception of 'My Love Is a Gentle Thing' which was recorded in 1975.
Songs
"Witching Hour" - Left off the debut, but later rerecorded for
Chris Hillman's first solo album.
"Sugar Babe" - A rehearsal of the song that would become a staple of the bands live shows.
"Lies" - The original version of the song recorded in
Criteria Studios
Criteria Studios is a recording studio in North Miami, Florida, founded in 1958 by musician Mack Emerman. Hundreds of gold, platinum, and diamond singles and albums have been recorded, mixed or mastered at Criteria, for many notable artists and ...
, Miami, with
Joe Walsh
Joseph Fidler Walsh (born November 20, 1947) is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. In a career spanning over five decades, he has been a member of three successful rock bands: the James Gang, Eagles, and Ringo Starr & His All-Starr ...
guesting on guitar.
"My Love Is a Gentle Thing" - Stills' love song to his beloved Hawaiian Islands; alone and overdubbed in the middle of 1975 at
Criteria.
"Like a Fox" - Uncompleted song,
Bonnie Raitt turned up to sing the chorus.
"Word Game" - Electric version recorded during a Manassas rehearsal.
"Tan Sola y Triste" - A lyric-less jam for the
second album, that turned into "Pensamiento".
"Fit to Be Tied" - Later reworked and rerecorded as "Shuffle Just as Bad" for the
1975 ''Stills'' album.
"Love and Satisfy" - Originally recorded for
''Down the Road'', but left off at the last minute. Later remade for
The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band.
"High and Dry" - A slow blues jam - based on a riff from
Ray Charles
Ray Charles Robinson Sr. (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential singers in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Ge ...
' version of
Doc Pomus
Jerome Solon Felder (June 27, 1925 – March 14, 1991), known professionally as Doc Pomus, was an American blues singer and songwriter. He is best known as the co-writer of many rock and roll hits. Pomus was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall ...
' "
Lonely Avenue
"Lonely Avenue" is a popular song written by Doc Pomus that was a No. 6 rhythm and blues hit for Ray Charles in 1956.
Background
The song drew the attention of the music business to Doc Pomus, who had previously had little success as a songwrit ...
" - was often jammed and recorded as a warm up. The live audience sound heard here was added as a studio experiment.
"Panhandle Rag" - Stills and the
Burrito
A burrito (, ) is a dish in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine that took form in Ciudad Juárez, consisting of a flour tortilla wrapped into a sealed cylindrical shape around various ingredients. The tortilla is sometimes lightly grilled or stea ...
Boys, jamming during the first week in Miami.
Joe Lala
Joseph Anthony Lala (November 3, 1947 – March 18, 2014) was an American musician and actor. In 1966, he co-founded the rock band Blues Image.
Life and career
Lala was born in Ybor City, Tampa, Florida, to parents from Contessa Entellina (an ...
is playing the tempo on a box,
Bryon Berline is playing fiddle, and Chris Hillman is playing mandolin.
"Uncle Pen" - Byron Berline sings this
Bill Monroe
William Smith "Bill" Monroe (; September 13, 1911 – September 9, 1996) was an American mandolinist, singer, and songwriter, who created the bluegrass music genre. Because of this, he is often called the " Father of Bluegrass".
The genre take ...
tune, with Stills flat-picking guitar and Chris Hillman playing Mandolin.
"Do You Remember the Americans" - Earlier version than released, with
Al Perkins
Al Perkins (born January 18, 1944) is an American guitarist known primarily for his steel guitar work. The Gibson guitar company called Perkins "the world's most influential dobro player" and began producing an "Al Perkins Signature" Dobro in 2 ...
bluegrass banjo to the fore.
"Dim Lights, Thick Smoke, (And Loud, Loud Music)" - Another one the Burritos had been playing live.
"I Am My Brother" - Stills playing alone.
Track listing
References
External links
Stephen Stills official website
Manassas (band) albums
Rhino Records albums
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