Thoroughfare Gap | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | October 31, 1978 | |||
Recorded | June 1978 | |||
Studio | Criteria Studios, Miami, The Record Plant, Los Angeles, The Record Plant, Sausalito | |||
Genre | Rock, disco | |||
Length | 35:32 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Producer | Stephen Stills, The Albert Brothers | |||
Stephen Stills chronology | ||||
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Singles from Thoroughfare Gap | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Allmusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Thoroughfare Gap is a studio album by American singer-songwriter Stephen Stills, released in 1978. It was a critical and commercial disappointment that only charted at number 84 in the US. This album is now available as a three-album set on two CDs with Stills & Illegal Stills, having never been released on its own on CD.
In a radio interview at the time, Stills said he worked extremely hard on the album, and there were 12-inch mixes of "Can't Get No Booty" ready to be released. [2] He recorded some disco tracks after playing percussion on the Bee Gees' "You Should Be Dancing", and subsequently hired their arranger Mike Lewis and used the group members' younger brother Andy Gibb on backing vocals.
Stephen Stills described the record as "disco and swamp rock". Stills said the song "Thoroughfare Gap" was him drawing upon his history, and
the title of the album was named after an escape route used during the Civil War. Mosby's guerrillas used to run through Thoroughfare Gap when they felt harassed. They'd just disappear into the Blue Ridge Mountains. For me, the record represents a little gap between one part of my career and the other, a cut in the pass. [3]
George Terry is quoted as saying he thinks it's about Neil Young's Lionel Trains. [4]
Stills said about the perceived negative reception of going disco that "there are elements of disco I like - the percussion and the guitar. I have played on so many Bee Gees songs I don't which ones I played on and which ones I didn't. 'Cause Barry (Gibb) is an old friend of mine and I just sat in and played a chickum-chit, chickum-chit, a little wacka-wacka guitar, then said, 'Use 'em or don't use 'em, I had a great time. You don't even have to use my name.'" [5]
He continued on Thoroughfare Gap: "Maybe some of the tunes weren't as good as others I've written but I am just messing around trying to find something new. I can't do the same thing for eight years. That's called artistic suicide." [3]
Stills said he recorded "Not Fade Away" after seeing The Buddy Holly Story and went into the studio the next night to record it - "Kind of a combination of the Stones version and the original version". [6]
The song "Thoroughfare Gap", dates back to 1972, with Chris Hillman remembering Manassas attempting to record it, but not being able to get the right take.
Critical reception was mixed, but generally negative. In a contemporary review, People magazine said "Stills succeeds handsomely in soldering his Southern Cal rock (scorching guitar, lavish harmonies, introspective lyrics) to an ultraswayed disco feel (thudding drums, Caribbean cowbells, congas, high-volume strings and horns). Against great odds, it adds up to a fresh sound, thanks to stalwart studio work by drummer Joe Vitale, percussionist Joe Lala, bassist George "Chocolate" Perry and Eric Clapton's guitarist George Terry. Their efforts are particularly noteworthy on You Can't Dance Alone, What's the Game and Can't Get No Booty. Especially reassuring is the title track, an acoustic ballad with a haunting fiddle solo by Al Gould. It harks back to Stills' finest work over the years, songs like Helplessly Hoping, 4 and 20 and As I Come of Age." [7]
Trouser Press, in a largely negative review, called the songwriting "monotonous" and said he was enthusiastically "trying to renovate his sound for today's scene". They did have praise for "Thoroughfare Gap", but still noted that it was six years old, saying it was the only the song that had "the folksy funk style that once made him worthwhile". [8]
In support of this album Stills formed the California Blues Band and toured throughout most of 1979.
All tracks are written by Stephen Stills except where indicated.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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1. | "You Can't Dance Alone" | 4:14 | |
2. | "Thoroughfare Gap" | 3:31 | |
3. | "We Will Go On" | 2:41 | |
4. | "Beaucoup Yumbo" | Stills, Joe Vitale | 3:33 |
5. | "What's the Game" | 3:32 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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6. | "Midnight Rider" | Gregg Allman | 3:39 |
7. | "Woman Lleva" | 3:13 | |
8. | "Lowdown" | 3:46 | |
9. | "Not Fade Away" | Buddy Holly, Norman Petty | 3:26 |
10. | "Can't Get No Booty" | Danny Kortchmar, Stills | 3:44 |
Total length: | 35:32 |
Technical Personnel
Special thanks to Guillerma Giachetti, Gerry Tolman, Armando Hurley, Harper Dance, Home At Last
Chart (1978) | Peak position |
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US Billboard Top LPs & Tape [9] | 83 |
Canadian RPM 100 Albums [10] | 82 |
US Cash Box Top 100 Albums [11] | 135 |
US Record World Album Chart [12] | 140 |
Tour by Stephen Stills | |
Start date | January 25, 1979 |
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End date | December, 1979 |
Legs | 3 |
Stephen Stills concert chronology |
Stephen Stills California Blues Band Tour 1979 was a concert tour by American musician Stephen Stills. It was in support of his 1978 album Thoroughfare Gap . During the tour he also recorded another album that was rejected by his record label, many songs from this projected album were played on this tour. On this tour Stills was backed by his group the California Blues Band. The 1979 run at The Roxy, Los Angeles, was professionally recorded. [13]
Date | City | Country | Venue | Attendance | Gross | Notes |
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4 September 1978 | Los Angeles | United States | Greek Theatre | Bread and Roses Festival | ||
1979 California Blues Band Tour [14] | ||||||
Date | City | Country | Venue | Attendance | Gross | Notes |
25 January 1979 | Los Angeles | United States | The Roxy [15] | Sold Out | ||
26 January 1979 | ||||||
27 January 1979 | ||||||
28 January 1979 | ||||||
Leg 1 | ||||||
3 March 1979 | Havana | Cuba | Havana Jam | |||
7 March 1979 | Cincinnati | United States | Cincinnati Music Hall | 2 Shows | ||
9 March 1979 | Chicago | Auditorium Theatre | ||||
10 March 1979 | Ohio | Kent State University | ||||
11 March 1979 | Louisville | Louisville Gardens | ||||
13 March 1979 | Indianapolis | Indiana Convention Centre | ||||
14 March 1979 | Michigan | Centre Stage | 1,628 | $22,228 [16] | ||
16 March 1979 | Chicago | Auditorium Theatre | ||||
17 March 1979 | Upper Derby | Tower Theatre | ||||
18 March 1979 | New York City | The Palladium | 3,300 | $27,000 [16] | ||
19 March 1979 | Ohio | Columbus Veterans Memorial Auditorium | ||||
22 March 1979 | Boston | Boston College | ||||
23 March 1979 | Passaic | Capitol Theatre | 3.456 | $28,172 [17] | ||
24 March 1979 | Pittsburgh | Stanley Theatre | 7,442 | $71,545 [17] | 2 Shows | |
26 March 1979 | Maryland | DAR Constitution Center | ||||
27 March 1979 | Middletown | Wesleyen University | 3,010 | $22,116 [18] | ||
29 March 1979 | Reading | Bollman Center | ||||
30 March 1979 | Atlanta | Fox Theatre | ||||
1 April 1979 | Blacksburg | Cassell Coliseum | ||||
3 April 1979 | Atlanta | Fox Theatre | ||||
4 April 1979 | Nashville | The Grand Ole Opry House | ||||
7 April 1979 | Kansas City | Memorial Hall | 2,880 | $23,040 [19] | ||
8 April 1979 | St. Louis | Kiel Opera House | 2,607 | $21,997 [19] | ||
Leg 2 | ||||||
4 June 1979 | Irvine | United States | Crawford Hall | |||
6 June 1979 | San Diego | San Diego Sports Arena | ||||
8 June 1979 | Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara Bowl | 4,888 | $32,633 [20] | ||
9 June 1979 | San Francisco | Fox Warfield Theatre | 2,248 | $44,960 [20] | ||
10 June 1979 | Los Angeles | Greek Theatre | ||||
11 June 1979 | ||||||
12 June 1979 | ||||||
15 June 1979 | Ohio | Blossom Music Center | ||||
16 June 1979 | Hara Arena | |||||
17 June 1979 | Pine Knob Music Theatre | |||||
19 June 1979 | Edwardsville | Mississippi River Festival | ||||
20 June 1979 | East Troy | Alpine Valley Music Theatre | ||||
23 June 1979 | Holmdel | Garden State Arts Centre | ||||
24 June 1979 | New York | Belmont Park | 15,000 | |||
26 June 1979 | Broome | Broome County Arena | ||||
27 June 1979 | Buffalo | Kleinhans Music Hall | ||||
28 June 1979 | New York | Saratoga Performing Arts Centre | ||||
30 June 1979 | Norfolk Scope | |||||
1 July 1979 | Columbia | Merriweather Post Pavilion | ||||
2 July 1979 | New York | Wollman Skating Ring | ||||
7 July 1979 | New Jersey | Garden States Arts Centre | ||||
Leg 3 | ||||||
7 September 1979 | New York | United States | Woodstock '79 | |||
8 September 1979 | New York | Parr Meadows Racetrack | ||||
16 November 1979 | San Diego | Casino Theatre | ||||
17 November 1979 | Sacramento | Freeborn Hall | ||||
18 November 1979 | Stanford Uni | Memorial Hall | ||||
9 December 1979 | Northridge | Cal State University | ||||
15 December 1979 | Costa Mesa | LeBard Stadium | ||||
16 December 1979 | Santa Barbara | Allen Hancock College Sports Pavilion | ||||
31 December 1979 | Riverside | Ben H. Lewis Hall | ||||
1980 Tour | ||||||
5 April 1980 | Laguna Beach | United States | Irvine Bowl | |||
1 June 1980 | Concord | Concord Pavilion | ||||
2 June 1980 | Los Angeles | Greek Theatre | ||||
3 June 1980 | ||||||
1980 European Tour | ||||||
4 July 1980 | ||||||
14 July 1980 | Milano | Italy | Stadio San Siro | Supported Angelo Branduardi | ||
15 July 1980 | Turin | Stadio Comunale | ||||
17 July 1980 | Nyon | Switzerland | Parc Du Lac | Nyon Folk Festival | ||
18 July 1980 | Turin | Italy | Turin Municipal Stadium | Supported Angelo Branduardi | ||
21 July 1980 | Rimini | |||||
22 July 1980 | Nyon | Switzerland | La Prairie De Colovray | |||
23 July 1980 | Italy | Bolzano Stadium | ||||
24 July 1980 | Munich | Germany | Olympiahalle | |||
26 July 1980 | St. Goarshausen | Freilichtbuhne Loreley | ||||
27 July 1980 | Stadium Wurzburg | |||||
29 July 1980 | Naples | Italy | Stadio San Paolo | |||
4 August 1980 | ||||||
1980 United States | ||||||
16 August 1980 | Illinois | United States | Ravinia Fest De Kalb | |||
19 August 1980 | Meadow Brook Music Festival | |||||
23 August 1980 | Indianapolis | Hilton U. Brown Theatre | ||||
27 August 1980 | Passaic | Paramount Theatre | ||||
29 August 1980 | New York | Central Park |
Stephen Stills and the California Blues Band [13]
Typical setlist
All songs written by Stephen Stills, except where noted.
Stephen Arthur Stills is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. As both a solo act and member of two successful bands, Stills has combined record sales of over 35 million albums. He was ranked number 28 in Rolling Stone's 2003 list of "The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" and number 47 in the 2011 list. Stills became the first person to be inducted twice on the same night into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. According to Neil Young, "Stephen is a genius."
Long May You Run is a studio album credited to the Stills–Young Band, a collaboration between Stephen Stills and Neil Young, released in 1976 on Reprise Records. It peaked at #26 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold in the United States by the RIAA. The album is the sole studio release by Stills and Young in tandem.
CSN is the fifth album by Crosby, Stills & Nash, released on Atlantic Records in 1977. It is the group's third studio release, and their first since their debut album without Neil Young. It peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart; two singles taken from the album, Nash's "Just a Song Before I Go" and Stills' "Fair Game" peaked at No. 7 and #43 respectively on the Billboard Hot 100. It is currently the trio configuration's best selling record, outselling 1969's Crosby, Stills & Nash by 200,000 copies. It has been certified quadruple platinum by RIAA.
Daylight Again is the seventh album by Crosby, Stills & Nash, and their fourth studio album comprising original material. It peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, the final time the band has made the top ten to date. Three singles were released from the album, all making the Billboard Hot 100: "Wasted on the Way" peaked at No. 9, "Southern Cross" at No. 18, and "Too Much Love to Hide" at No. 69. The album was certified platinum by the RIAA with sales of 1,850,000.
Oh Yes I Can is the second solo studio album by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young member David Crosby. It was released on January 23, 1989, 18 years on from his previous solo release, If I Could Only Remember My Name.
"Southern Cross" is a song written by Stephen Stills, Rick Curtis, and Michael Curtis and performed by the rock band Crosby, Stills & Nash. It was featured on the band's Daylight Again album and was released as a single in September 1982. Stephen Stills sings lead throughout, with Graham Nash joining on the second verse. Because David Crosby did not reunite with Stills and Nash until the album was well underway, his vocals are not featured on the album version, although he did appear in the video and subsequently sang the song with the group in live performances. The single was a success on the charts, reaching No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks in late November and early December 1982.
Looking Forward is the third studio album by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and their fifth, overall. It is the fourteenth album when conflated with releases by the trio of Crosby, Stills & Nash. It was released on Reprise Records in 1999 and peaked at number 26 on the Billboard 200, with total sales nearing 400,000. It is Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's last studio album to date.
Manassas is the 1972 debut double album by Stephen Stills' new band of the same name, released April 1972. It was a critical comeback for Stills, and continued his commercial success by being certified Gold only a month after being released and peaking at number 4 on the US charts.
American Dream is the ninth album by the band Crosby, Stills & Nash, their fifth studio album and their second with Neil Young. Released in 1988 on Atlantic Records, it peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. To date, it is their final album of original material to receive either a gold or platinum citation by the RIAA. It is the highest-selling album by Neil Young in the 1980s. The album is dedicated to Jan Crosby, Anne Stills, Susan Nash and Pegi Young.
Greatest Hits is the fifteenth Crosby, Stills & Nash album, and their fifth compilation, released by Rhino Records in 2005. It peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard 200, debuting at that position on April 2, 2005 with first week sales of 33,000 copies, and spending eight weeks on the chart. Its current sales sit at over 640,000. The album was dedicated to Cass Elliot with great thanks to Neil Young.
Man Alive! is a Stephen Stills studio album released in 2005. It is a mixture of old and new recordings. Some were dated in the notes of the box set Carry On as follows: "Ain't It Always" in December 1976, "Spanish Suite" in April 1979, "Feed the People" in 1989 but with everything but the backing vocals replaced later, and "I Don't Get It" in 1991. Zimmer's biography of Crosby, Stills & Nash places "Acadienne" with songs for the CSNY Looking Forward album, and based on the personnel it is from April 1998. Dates of the others are simply not known. Stills introduced "Heart's Gate" as a new song in concert in 2003. "Drivin' Thunder" appeared the CSNY album American Dream in 1988, but Stills wrote new lyrics for the version on this album. Graham Nash sings on "Wounded World", which he co-wrote, and "Acadienne" and "Feed the People". Neil Young plays on "Different Man" and "Round the Bend". Herbie Hancock plays on "Spanish Suite". Some of these tracks were originally planned for his unreleased 1979 album. Stills drew the back and front cover.
Down the Road is the second and last studio album by Stephen Stills' band Manassas. It was released in April 1973, and peaked at number 26 in the US charts, to mixed reviews. It was Stills first album since the 1968 Super Session not to be certified Gold. "Isn't It About Time", a protest song, was released as the lead single and reached number 56 on the charts.
Allies is the eighth album by Crosby, Stills & Nash, their second concert document, and released on Atlantic Records in 1983. A live concert clip for "Wasted on the Way" received some rotation on MTV and VH1 at the time, as did the single "War Games". It peaked at No. 43 on the Billboard 200.
Stills is a 1975 studio album by American musician Stephen Stills. It is his third solo album and his first release on Columbia Records. The album was a commercial success on release charting at number 19 on the US album charts, but was released to mixed critical reaction.
Illegal Stills is an album released by American musician Stephen Stills in May 1976. This was Stills second album on Columbia Records, after it was released he would start an album and tour with Neil Young. It has never been released on CD except on a twofer with Stills, and Thoroughfare Gap. The album charted at number 31 in the US on release, but wasn't a critical success.
Right by You is an album by American singer-songwriter Stephen Stills, released in 1984. This is his last solo recording released on a major label, and was a critical and commercial failure peaking at number 75 on the US charts. It was also his only solo album of the 1980s.
Carry On is the twelfth album by Crosby, Stills & Nash, issued on Atlantic Records in 1991, generally for the European and Australian markets. It is a two-disc sampler of their four-disc box set, CSN, released two months previously in the United States and the United Kingdom. It features material spanning 1968 through 1990 from their catalogue of recordings as a group in addition to selections from Crosby & Nash, Manassas, and their individual solo albums. It was reissued on 30 June 1998 on the WEA International record label. This compilation should not be confused with the Stephen Stills box set of the same name released in 2013.
Shadow Dancing is the second studio album by English singer-songwriter Andy Gibb, released in June 1978 in the United States and September 1978 in the United Kingdom. It was Gibb's highest charting album in some countries including America and in Canada. This LP was his only album to chart in the UK. Four singles, including the three US Top 10 singles, were released from the album.
Neil Young Archives Volume II: 1972–1976 is a 10-CD box set from American-Canadian folk rock musician Neil Young that was initially released in a limited deluxe box set on November 20, 2020. The release is the second box set in his Neil Young Archives series, following 2009's The Archives Vol. 1 1963–1972, and covers a three-and-a-half-year period from 1972–1976. The track list was officially announced on the Neil Young Archives site on September 20, 2020, with the first single, "Come Along and Say You Will", being posted to the site as the Song of the Day on October 14. The set then went up for pre-order on October 16, 2020 as an exclusive release to his online store, with only 3,000 copies being initially made available worldwide. After selling out the following day, Young announced several weeks later that a general retail version, as well as a second pressing of the deluxe box set, is expected to be released to market on March 5th, 2021. This was followed by the release of a second single, "Homefires", on October 21, and a third, an alternate version of "Powderfinger", on November 3.