Customer Reviews

Where I Come From

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It's hard to believe that after all these years, the Riders could come up with something as fresh and exciting as this CD. When they started playing the new material at shows, it took a little while to get past the fact that they weren't just going to be doing the "old stuff"(which is still great). The Hunter/Nelson songs are terrific;great melodies with the distinctive lyrics we've come to expect. The contributions from Ronnie Penque(Olivia Rose) and Johnny Markowski(Higher) were pleasant surprises for me. Olivia Rose is one of the prettiest songs I've heard in a long time. Buddy Cage's steel is as distinctive and inventive as ever. All in all, a real treat!.

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!!

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.

[...]

This cd was much, much more than I had expected from these guys. I thought the recording quality was excellent and none of the vocals were weak.
Most cuts are very good with 3 or 4 classics including the title cut, Higher and Ghost Train Blues. Olivia Rose added a nice touch and feel to the cd as a whole. I have to give a lot a credit to the sound engineers and the on site producer. Top notch sound and arrangements.
No disrespect, because from what I've been able to see on line, the band can not touch live what they accomplished here. Leads seem to be sloppy with parts missing. For dedicated NROTPS fans, this cd will be treasured. I rank it 2nd right behind Panama Red.( a song I cannot stand btw)
The pedel steel is everywhere and a great performance by Cage.
So, if your a fan...go get it right away. If you're on the fence...go get it right away. If you're not a fan of the band...give it a try.
Also, if you are a fan of the late Rick Danko of The Band, this is as close as you will ever come (from a vocal standpoint) again, especially on Higher.

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.

If U a NRPS fan what can I say...U will enjoy. First new music in many moons, I think around 20. Great NEW music from my favorite cowboy honky tonk steal U face bands. Panama Red is still kickin' ass.

While I agree that the drums are often way too loud and kind of arena-rockish sounding at times; this is still an incredible album. I do not believe this is due to the way the drummer played, but it probably owes more to the recording techniques used and/or the mixing process. My favoorite song so far is probably Big 6, which from my guestimation is at least partially about the Big 6 banks (Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo). With verses like:
"Tell us another time just to be sure
It's straight from the heart not a pile of manure
About loving your brother, then picking him clean
Of his last dollar bill, if you know what I mean"
or:
"Big six, big six, tell us who, where and what
The devil was dealing when you sidled up
And bought out a hand that was planning to fold
Then walked out the door with a sack full of gold"

This song has some truly powerful lyrics. In fact the album is full of nuggets of Hunter's wisdom. Also check out Where I Come From, Barracuda Moon, Down the Middle, Olivia Rose, Blues Barrel, Ghost Train Blues, and Rockin' with Nona. These 8 tracks form the core of a truly inspired album, while the other 4 are pretty good.

Hard to believe it had been 20 years since a studio album from the NRPS! Title track opens with a bang, and doesnt let up from there. This is a very solid work, and Dave Nelson as lead vocalist, fits like an old pair of shoes. I actually prefer his vocals to Marmaduke, and the new band carries on still making great music. Of course, Buddy Cage is still there, with that ethereal steel guitar sound that is a hallmark of the band. Very solid songs, I understand Hunter (Dead lyricist) co-wrote most of these tunes with Nelson.

More great news: heard the band announce in concert they are working on another studio release for 2010. If the tune they played (No Time) is any indicator, it will be yet one more smoking album to come from the legendary NRPS. Good new albums still being released, wow! 99% of modern releases are just garbage and these boys are still delivering the goods. Hallelujah

Excelante'. The personnel may have changed a bit over the years, but this is an excellant group of musicians and they sound great together. I have a 6 disk CD changer in the car that I rotate disks in & out of, but this one stays in. I listened to it on the way home from work last night and back in this morning.

Sure these guys are older, so am I. But the tones they get with their guitar mixtures are pure and the soul of this CD is true. Only the Dead with Jerry, the NRPS, and a few other bands ever achieved this, in my mind. Plus, this is their sound now, only they are doing it. Go to an NPRS show and you'll see. It's like the old days for us old folks. Thank you NRPS, I'm so happy, come back to the Mystic in Petaluma soon. See you then.