Search - New Riders of the Purple Sage :: Midnight Moonlight

Pleasant, but not essential, effort by a 1990's line-up

Aaron Gangross | Here and There | 06/12/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This 1992 CD features original member John "Marmaduke" Dawson along with a couple other guitarists and various backing musicians. This is a very different group than the legendary 1970's version. However, take it for what it is, and it's a pleasant listen. Essentially, the group reworks a few classics, and plays a few standards and originals. However, the remakes do not measure up to the originals, in this fan's opinion. (The change of lyrics in "Lonesome LA Cowboy" doesn't work for me, for example). Still, "Midnight Moonlight" is a great song, no matter who's playing it, and the bagpipes on "Sutter's Mill" are neat. The musicianship is also top notch. This is not a disappointing CD, unless you are expecting the original group. Enjoy it if you are a fan of the NRPS. But if you are not familiar with this group, try one of their early albums first."

Saved the best for last!

Keith Gorgas | Saranac Lake, NY United States | 11/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Over the years the New Riders have put out a lot of music and influenced many other musicians. They started out as a country/bluegrass off-shoot of the Grateful Dead, then went on to develope their own legacy as the ultimate Cosmic Country Rock band. In the early 1980s, several key members of the band left, and many fans never took the time to listen to how good the lineup sounded. This album shows off the best of the later editions of the New Riders of The Purple Sage. No longer a "country rock" outfit, this is pure "unplugged" music.... folk festival music, living room music. The musicianship is superb, the vocals delightfull, the song writing the very best the band ever put out in their illustrius career. The remakes of the earlier chestnuts like "Glendale Train", "Lonesome LA Cowboy", and "Louisiana Lady" make your hair stand up. "Change In The Weather" makes me want to go back to an earlier, more idealistic era. When I first bought this album, I listened to it over and over, then bought a bunch of copies for friends who claimed that it had the same addictive appeal to them.
If you liked EmmyLou Harris live at the Ryman, or the Dead's Reckoning you will love and treasure this album.......peace"