# Thoroughfare Gap

Thoroughfare Gap is the fifth 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.

## Content

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. 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.
George Terry is quoted as saying he thinks it's about Neil Young's Lionel Trains.
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 know 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.'"
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."
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".
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.

## Reception

Professional ratings :
| Review scores ||
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
Critical reception was mixed, but generally negative. In a contemporary review, People wrote that "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." 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 song that had "the folksy funk style that once made him worthwhile". Record World said Stills was experimenting, and "You Can't Dance Alone" was geared for the Top 40.
In support of this album Stills formed the California Blues Band and toured throughout most of 1979.

## Track listing

All tracks are written by Stephen Stills except where indicated

## Personnel

* Stephen Stills – vocals, guitars (1, 3-10), percussion (1), horn and string arrangements (1, 4-8), acoustic guitar (2), bass (2, 10), synthesizers (3), Moog synthesizer (7), organ (9), acoustic piano (10)
* Mike Finnigan – acoustic piano (1, 3, 6, 8), organ (7), backing vocals (8)
* Paul Harris – acoustic piano (2)
* Kenny Kirkland – acoustic piano (5)
* Albhy Galuten – acoustic piano (7)
* Joey Murcia – guitars (1)
* George Terry – guitars (3, 5, 7)
* Gerry Tolman – guitars (6)
* Danny Kortchmar – guitars (10), percussion (10), backing vocals (10)
* George Perry – bass (1, 3-6, 8, 9), backing vocals (8, 9)
* Gerald Johnson – bass (7)
* Joe Vitale –drums (1, 3-6, 8, 9, 10), backing vocals (9)
* Paul Lee – drums (2)
* Richard O'Connell – drums (7)
* Joe Lala – percussion (1, 3, 6, 10)
* Al Gould – fiddle (2)
* Whit Sidener – flutes (3)
* Mike Lewis – horn and string arrangements (1, 4-8), flute arrangements (3)
* Andy Gibb – backing vocals (1, 5)
* Dave Mason – backing vocals (1, 5, 6)
* John Sambataro – backing vocals (1, 3, 5)
* Brooks Hunnicutt – backing vocals (8)
* Kitty Pritikin (aka Kitty Woodson Terry) – backing vocals (name misprint) (8)
* Verna Richardson – backing vocals (8)
* Lisa Roberts – backing vocals (8)

## Production

* Stephen Stills – producer, album design
* Howard Albert – producer, engineer
* Ron Albert – producer, engineer
* Michael Braunstein – engineer, recording (4, 6-9)
* Steve Gursky – engineer
* Mike Fuller – mastering at Criteria Studios
* John Berg – album design
* Jim McCrary – photography
Special thanks to Guillerma Giachetti, Gerry Tolman, Armando Hurley, Harper Dance, Home At Last

## Charts

Chart performance for Thoroughfare Gap :
| Chart (1978) | Peak position |
| US Billboard Top LPs & Tape | 83 |
| Canadian RPM 100 Albums | 82 |
| US Cash Box Top 100 Albums | 135 |
| US Record World Album Chart | 140 |

## Tour

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.
| Date | City | Country | Venue | Attendance | Gross | Notes |
| 4 September 1978 | Los Angeles | United States | Greek Theatre | | | Bread and Roses Festival |
| 1979 California Blues Band Tour |||||||
| Date | City | Country | Venue | Attendance | Gross | Notes |
| 25 January 1979 | Los Angeles | United States | The Roxy | | Sold Out | |
| 26 January 1979 | Los Angeles | United States | The Roxy | | Sold Out | |
| 27 January 1979 | Los Angeles | United States | The Roxy | | Sold Out | |
| 28 January 1979 | Los Angeles | United States | The Roxy | | Sold Out | |
| Leg 1 |||||||
| 3 March 1979 | Havana | Cuba | Havana Jam | | | |
| 7 March 1979 | Cincinnati | United States | Cincinnati Music Hall | | | 2 Shows |
| 9 March 1979 | Chicago | United States | Auditorium Theatre | | | |
| 10 March 1979 | Ohio | United States | Kent State University | | | |
| 11 March 1979 | Louisville | United States | Louisville Gardens | | | |
| 13 March 1979 | Indianapolis | United States | Indiana Convention Centre | | | |
| 14 March 1979 | Michigan | United States | Centre Stage | 1,628 | $22,228 | |
| 16 March 1979 | Chicago | United States | Auditorium Theatre | | | |
| 17 March 1979 | Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania | United States | Tower Theatre | | | |
| 18 March 1979 | New York City | United States | The Palladium | 3,300 | $27,000 | |
| 19 March 1979 | Ohio | United States | Columbus Veterans Memorial Auditorium | | | |
| 22 March 1979 | Boston | United States | Boston College | | | |
| 23 March 1979 | Passaic | United States | Capitol Theatre | 3.456 | $28,172 | |
| 24 March 1979 | Pittsburgh | United States | Stanley Theatre | 7,442 | $71,545 | 2 Shows |
| 26 March 1979 | Maryland | United States | DAR Constitution Center | | | |
| 27 March 1979 | Middletown | United States | Wesleyen University | 3,010 | $22,116 | |
| 29 March 1979 | Reading | United States | Bollman Center | | | |
| 30 March 1979 | Atlanta | United States | Fox Theatre | | | |
| 1 April 1979 | Blacksburg | United States | Cassell Coliseum | | | |
| 3 April 1979 | Atlanta | United States | Fox Theatre | | | |
| 4 April 1979 | Nashville | United States | The Grand Ole Opry House | | | |
| 7 April 1979 | Kansas City | United States | Memorial Hall | 2,880 | $23,040 | |
| 8 April 1979 | St. Louis | United States | Kiel Opera House | 2,607 | $21,997 | |
| Leg 2 |||||||
| 4 June 1979 | Irvine | United States | Crawford Hall | | | |
| 6 June 1979 | San Diego | United States | San Diego Sports Arena | | | |
| 8 June 1979 | Santa Barbara | United States | Santa Barbara Bowl | 4,888 | $32,633 | |
| 9 June 1979 | San Francisco | United States | Fox Warfield Theatre | 2,248 | $44,960 | |
| 10 June 1979 | Los Angeles | United States | Greek Theatre | | | |
| 11 June 1979 | Los Angeles | United States | Greek Theatre | | | |
| 12 June 1979 | Los Angeles | United States | Greek Theatre | | | |
| 15 June 1979 | Ohio | United States | Blossom Music Center | | | |
| 16 June 1979 | Ohio | United States | Hara Arena | | | |
| 17 June 1979 | Ohio | United States | Pine Knob Music Theatre | | | |
| 19 June 1979 | Edwardsville | United States | Mississippi River Festival | | | |
| 20 June 1979 | East Troy | United States | Alpine Valley Music Theatre | | | |
| 23 June 1979 | Holmdel | United States | Garden State Arts Centre | | | |
| 24 June 1979 | New York | United States | Belmont Park | 15,000 | | |
| 26 June 1979 | Broome | United States | Broome County Arena | | | |
| 27 June 1979 | Buffalo | United States | Kleinhans Music Hall | | | |
| 28 June 1979 | New York | United States | Saratoga Performing Arts Centre | | | |
| 30 June 1979 | New York | United States | Norfolk Scope | | | |
| 1 July 1979 | Columbia | United States | Merriweather Post Pavilion | | | |
| 2 July 1979 | New York | United States | Wollman Skating Ring | | | |
| 7 July 1979 | New Jersey | United States | Garden States Arts Centre | | | |
| Leg 3 |||||||
| 7 September 1979 | New York | United States | Woodstock '79 | | | |
| 8 September 1979 | New York | United States | Parr Meadows Racetrack | | | |
| 16 November 1979 | San Diego | United States | Casino Theatre | | | |
| 17 November 1979 | Sacramento | United States | Freeborn Hall | | | |
| 18 November 1979 | Stanford Uni | United States | Memorial Hall | | | |
| 9 December 1979 | Northridge | United States | Cal State University | | | |
| 15 December 1979 | Costa Mesa | United States | LeBard Stadium | | | |
| 16 December 1979 | Santa Barbara | United States | Allen Hancock College Sports Pavilion | | | |
| 31 December 1979 | Riverside | United States | Ben H. Lewis Hall | | | |
| 1980 Tour |||||||
| 5 April 1980 | Laguna Beach | United States | Irvine Bowl | | | |
| 1 June 1980 | Concord | United States | Concord Pavilion | | | |
| 2 June 1980 | Los Angeles | United States | Greek Theatre | | | |
| 3 June 1980 | Los Angeles | United States | Greek Theatre | | | |
| 1980 European Tour |||||||
| 4 July 1980 | | | | | | |
| 14 July 1980 | Milano | Italy | Stadio San Siro | | | Supported Angelo Branduardi |
| 15 July 1980 | Turin | Italy | Stadio Comunale | | | Supported Angelo Branduardi |
| 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 | Italy | | | | Supported Angelo Branduardi |
| 22 July 1980 | Nyon | Switzerland | La Prairie De Colovray | | | Supported Angelo Branduardi |
| 23 July 1980 | | Italy | Bolzano Stadium | | | Supported Angelo Branduardi |
| 24 July 1980 | Munich | Germany | Olympiahalle | | | Supported Angelo Branduardi |
| 26 July 1980 | St. Goarshausen | Germany | Freilichtbuhne Loreley | | | Supported Angelo Branduardi |
| 27 July 1980 | | Germany | Stadium Wurzburg | | | Supported Angelo Branduardi |
| 29 July 1980 | Naples | Italy | Stadio San Paolo | | | Supported Angelo Branduardi |
| 4 August 1980 | | | | | | |
| 1980 United States |||||||
| 16 August 1980 | Illinois | United States | Ravinia Fest De Kalb | | | |
| 19 August 1980 | | United States | Meadow Brook Music Festival | | | |
| 23 August 1980 | Indianapolis | United States | Hilton U. Brown Theatre | | | |
| 27 August 1980 | Passaic | United States | Paramount Theatre | | | |
| 29 August 1980 | New York | United States | Central Park | | | |
Stephen Stills and the California Blues Band
* Stephen Stills – guitar, percussion, vocals
* Dallas Taylor – drums (Roxy Theater 1979 only)
* Mike Finnigan – keyboards, Vocals
* Joe Lala – percussion, vocals
* Billy Meeker – drums
* Michael Sturgis – guitar
* Trey Thompson – bass
* Bonnie Bramlett – vocals
* Graham Nash – appeared during some dates of the European 1980 tour
Typical setlist
All songs written by Stephen Stills, except where noted.
* "Precious Love"
* "For What It's Worth"
* "You Can't Dance Alone"
* "Cuba Al Fin"
* "Go Back Home"
* "How Wrong Can You Be" (Mike Finnigan)
* "Love The One You're With"
* "Make Love To You"
* "Cherokee"
* "Rock And Roll Crazies/Cuban Bluegrass" (Stills, Dallas Taylor / Stills, Joe Lala)
* "Jet Set (Sigh)"
* "Thoroughfare Gap"
* Come On In My Kitchen (Robert Johnson)