Austin Texas 1975

Performer: New Riders of the Purple Sage
Producer: Rob Bleestein
Distributor: E1 Distribution (USA)

Notes: New Riders of the Purple Sage: John Dawson (vocals, guitar); Buddy Cage (pedal steel guitar); Skip Battin (bass guitar); David Nelson, Spencer Dryden. Personnel: David Nelson (vocals, guitar); Skip Battin (vocals); Spencer Dryden (drums). Recording information: Armadillo World Headquaters, Austin, TX (06/13/1975). The fourth "authorized bootleg" of classic New Riders live material released by the Kufala label is a spirited 1975 show from Austin, TX, a city that was the perfect place for the band's hippie aesthetic and vaguely outlaw country-rock to conjoin. After some early technical problems that mar the sound, especially the vocals on the first few tracks, the audio settles down. While this is far from professional quality, it's more than listenable, especially for the hardcore fans this is geared to. This lineup featured new bassist Skip Battin (replacing Dave Torbert), who had recently left the Byrds, and the rest of the original lineup, tearing up a 28-song, two-hour gig at Austin's Armadillo World Headquarters club. The group's affinity for the city is apparent in their back-to-back renditions of Battin's "Austin, Texas" and John Dawson's "Instant Armadillo Blues." While not necessarily known for extended jams along the lines of their friends the Grateful Dead, the band unleashes an impressive 14-minute version of "Portland Woman" that features amazing pedal steel from Buddy Cage and brings a psychedelic feel to its stripped-down country-rock. Covers include Freddy Fender's "Until the Next Teardrop Falls," Chuck Berry's "Nadine," Ritchie Valens' "La Bamba," and an especially rare take of Gary "U.S." Bonds' "New Orleans," none of which appeared on the official live album. Liner notes to this double CD are practically nonexistent, even down to eliminating any songwriting credits, while the packaging is cheap and the sound, although reasonable, remains a bit muffled and inconsistent even at its best. Regardless, this is a lively and complete show, warts and all, from a band that, on a good night, was as enjoyable and exciting as country-rock gets. ~ Hal Horowitz

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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