Veneta, Oregon: August 27, 1972

Performer: New Riders of the Purple Sage
Engineer: Betty Cantor; Bob Matthews
Producer: Rob Bleestein
Distributor: E1 Distribution (USA)

Notes: New Riders of the Purple Sage: David Nelson, John Dawson (vocals, guitar); Buddy Cage (pedal steel guitar); Dave Torbert (bass guitar); Spencer Dryden. Personnel: Dave Torbert (vocals); Spencer Dryden (drums). Audio Mixer: Stephen Barncard. Recording information: Temple Meadow, Veneta, OR (08/27/1972). During 2003-2004, Kufala released several recordings by the New Riders of the Purple Sage. The closest model for these releases, perhaps, is the lengthy series of live releases by the Grateful Dead. By taking recordings like Veneta, Oregon out of the realm of bootlegs and making them available to the general public, Kufala has changed and deepened the historical place of the group. It's easy to listen to Veneta, for instance, and realize that the band had much more to offer than its studio performances from the era. While the New Riders were always much more straightforward in concert than the Dead, and thus lacked the jam band appeal, they were nonetheless a formidable force. And while they are often remembered for combining country and rock, they sound like a good old-fashioned rock band here, even on a country song like "Truck Drivin' Man." Specifically, David Nelson's guitar work and Buddy Cage's steel work add pizzazz to even the most mundane song, while Dave Torbert's bass adds infinite bottom end. For whatever reason, Veneta seems even tighter, more musically together, than previous releases. There's a really nice version of "Whatcha Gonna Do," and it's always fun to hear the band's take on oldies like "Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (And Loud Loud Music)" and "Hello Mary Lou." For New Riders fans and anyone addicted to good live rock from the early '70s, Veneta, Oregon is a fun, dynamic recording. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford Jr.

Formed in 1969 by Bakersfield country obsessive John Dawson and guitarist David Nelson, the New Riders Of The Purple Sage counted among their original line-up Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, and Mickey Hart from the Grateful Dead. Cutting their teeth as the Dead's opening act, the New Riders quickly established an independent identity through the strength of Dawson's original songs. Their 1971 debut, which featured Garcia on pedal steel, blended country rock with a loose, hippie aesthetic. POWERGLIDE introduced steel ace Buddy Cage and a punchier, more assertive sound, which yielded their 1973 fourth album, THE ADVENTURES OF PANAMA RED, gold status. After this commercial peak, the band continued recording and touring in various guises in the ensuing decades--although the '00s lineup did not feature John Dawson.

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