New Riders of the Purple Sage
Thanksgiving in New York City
(Omnivore)
How much do we love these cosmic cowboys? The
New Riders were a totally original sound during the early 1970’s, with the
Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia on pedal steel guitar and John “Marmaduke” Dawson
on lead vocals. By 1972, when this
recording was made, Garcia had left to devote all of his time to the Dead, and
was replaced by Buddy Cage, a top-flight pedal steel virtuoso.
After opening countless shows for
the Grateful Dead, New Riders released two acclaimed albums in 1972, Powerglide
and Gypsy Cowboy, and become an in demand live act. On November 23, 1972, the
band played two shows at the Academy of Music, and the late show resulted in
these awesome recordings.
Classic Dawson tunes like “Last
Lonley Eagle” and “Portland Woman” are performed, along with some good ol’
bluegrass in “She’s No Angel” and kicking R&B (“Willie and the Hand Jive,” “I
Don’t Need No Doctor.”) Guitarist David Nelson is hotter than a Mexican lunch
and bassist Dave Torbet is totally in the pocket with drummer Spencer Dryden.
The Thanksgiving show in NYC became
a tradition over the next three years, bringing the massive amount of fans from
the Northeast, especially New York, who cheered and danced and twirled to the
music. It was always a family affair when the New Riders came to town, and one
listen to Thanksgiving in New York City proves the fact.
The double CD and 3-vinyl LP set will be released on Black Friday. A serious treat for Deadheads and Sageheads
worldwide. Mighty fine.
-Michael Buffalo Smith
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