Search - New Riders of the Purple Sage :: Where I Come From

Very Pleased....A Great CD!

DJ | Scottsdale, Arizona | 06/26/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just bought this CD, about a week ago. I wasn't sure, what to expect. John Dawson, is no longer...a member of the band. But, dispite his absence, this is a great album. I would highly suggest this CD, to fans, of the New Riders of the Purple Sage. It's simply, a great album! The band sounds very tight. And the songs, sound...excellent!! David Nelson, sounds great...as usual. And, Buddy Cage...is awesome as ever, on pedal steel guitar. I am very happy, & impressed...with Cage's playing. Everything "fits." His fast, hot licks...are always a real treat; as well as some very smooth, country/country rock playing. Sweet, indeed! Johnny Markowski, is an excellent drummer. His vocals, really add a lot, to this album. His vocal style, is very unique...& fits the band, very well indeed. "Higher," is one of my favorite songs on the album; & Johnny does a fine job, singing it. Honestly, I like all of the songs, very much. I'm very happy, with the entire album. A Great CD!! If you're a NRPS fan, you will be very pleased; I can assure you. Great Job, NRPS!!"

Worth checking out

D. Koetting | 06/24/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I rate this album a touch above mediocre. I am a HUGE NRPS fan and have seen them 4 or 5 times within the past 2 years and have had the joy of meeting them. I am somewhat disappointed with this album. There really isn't anything great on it. I listened to it entirely the day it arrived and walked away with just a feeling of mediocrity. Granted, this band is one of those bands that you are way better off seeing live and this album shows that more than anything. I heard a few of these songs live and thought they were great...recorded in the studio?...another story. If you are a fan, it is worth checking out and I am always for supporting this band however you can. You are better off checking out 12/31/77 at the Winterland. This is a resent release from the band. Not the best sound, but it has that classic NRPS vibe that you can't mistake. This new stuff just makes me miss the old and especially John Dawson."

New Riders, New genre, alt/country

James Moulton | Abington,Pa | 07/27/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"A lot has been springing up from the the Thirty + year old culture of the Grateful Dead, including a tour of their own this spring. They included Warren Haynes for the first time on Lead guitar. The cover of this digipak packaging definitely has that familiar look, done by Mouse who has done so much artwork over the Years for the Dead family. Looks like a classic New Riders cover with the Cactus, starting to really like that kind of CD packaging instead of the Jewel Case.



In '05 Hot Tuna guitarist Mike Fulzarana with bassist Ronnie Penque and Johnny Markowski (drums), joined David Nelson and Buddy cage (pedal steel) from the New Riders and started touring, playing the old set lists and covers. Ex Garcia songwriting cohort Robert Hunter started sending Nelson lyrics. So, seven of the songs on this CD were written by this pair of songwriters. The other five songs were written by the other members of the group,except for one cover, "The New Minglewood Blues".



This is a great live studio recording, with an edgier,more rock sound, than the old New Riders, Cages pedal Steel is awesome as he he urges tones at will from his steel. This group sounds like a jamband, with lots of songs clocking in at over 7 minutes , the shortest around four minutes, but their music is tight, not going in endless circles. "Where I Come From" is the opener, an upbeat seven minute song, where they take off as a band on a (Hunter,Nelson) song. This is a real country rocker, Psychedelic cowboys, they still are, with more electric and effects and less acoustic guitar, in fact, there is not an acoustic track on the Disc.



Every song on here is the first or second take, instead of overdubs and scratch vocals, they just put five guys in the main part of the studio and play until it is right, no song took more than three takes,that is pretty amazing. The second song, "Big Six" is an upbeat country rocker with a driving beat. I love Penques bass,reminds me a bit of Lesh, he is right out front in the mix. Nelson's vocals have a little rasp in them, but he still can sing, not a lot of three part harmony songs like the old days. I listened to an old NRPS album and it is a real different vibe.



There is plenty of good music on this disc, just no more stuff like "Panama Red". There is one of the longer songs by (Hunter,Nelson), it is "Barracuda Moon" This song really rocks out with a psychedelic touch. Some nice subtle delay, and other effects used in a tasteful way. Cages' Steel really plays a big part in this song. Not enough can be said about Markowski's drums, the guy can flat out play, with a ton of energy. This song was not only done on the first take, but it was the first time they ever did it. I really love this song and I like "Down The Middle" alot.



This is a must have for Hot Tuna and New Rider fans, and it is a great new Americana , Alt/Country CD.



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