NEW RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE (345)

Best Of 1971-1975: Instant Armadillo Blues (Double CD) RVCD-345

For the best summation of the early career of the legendary NEW RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE, look no further than Raven’s excellent new Double CD collection Instant Armadillo Blues: Best Of 1971-1975. The New Riders emerged in 1969 as an offshoot of the Grateful Dead when Jerry Garcia joined forces with core members David Nelson and John Dawson. Garcia bowed out in 1972 to concentrate on the Dead. The band’s initial sound was twangy country-styled acid-rock, later moving into boot-kickin’ country rock. Like the Dead and Commander Cody they became associated with dope-smoking hippiedom, exemplified by their anthemic ‘Panama Red’.

The Riders were a strong concert attraction and their albums sold well with The Adventures of Panama Red (1973) going gold. Other key members included Spencer Dryden (drums), Dave Torbert (bass), Buddy Cage (steel guitar) and Skip Batten (guitar). 1971-1975 is considered to encompass the height of the band’s creativity. On a great value Double CD, with 42 tracks (over 140 minutes) culled from seven albums recorded for Columbia, Instant Armadillo Blues is a near perfect encapsulation of the band’s earthy and free-wheeling sound. Among the highlights are ‘Portland Woman’ and ‘Louisana Lady’ (from the classic self-titled debut album, 1971), ‘Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (And Loud, Loud Music)’ (from Powerglide, 1972) and the title track from Gypsy Cowboy (1973). With superb quality audio, color booklet and informative liner notes.

TRACK LISTING
DISC 1
1. I DON’T KNOW YOU
2. WHATCHA GONNA DO?
3. PORTLAND WOMAN
4. HENRY
5. DIRTY BUSINESS
6. GLENDALE TRAIN
7. ALL I EVER WANTED
8. LAST LONELY EAGLE
9. LOUISIANA LADY
10. DIM LIGHTS, THICK SMOKE (And Loud, Loud Music)
11. RAINBOW
12. CALIFORNIA DAY
13. SWEET LOVIN’ ONE
14. I DON’T NEED NO DOCTOR
15. CONTRACT
16. WILLIE AND THE HAND JIVE
17. GYPSY COWBOY
18. GROUPIE
19. SUTTER’S MILL
20. LINDA
DISC 2
1. SUPERMAN
2. SHE’S NO ANGEL
3. LONG BLACK VEIL
4. SAILIN’
5. PANAMA RED
6. LONESOME L.A. COWBOY
7. KICK IN THE HEAD
8. YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN ME RUNNIN’
9. TEARDROPS IN MY EYES
10. CEMENT, CLAY AND GLASS
11. HI, HELLO, HOW ARE YOU
12. TRUCK DRIVIN’ MAN
13. HELLO MARY LOU
14. SCHOOL DAYS
15. ASHES OF LOVE
16. YOU ANGEL YOU
17. INSTANT ARMADILLO BLUES
18. SINGING COWBOY
19. MIGHTY TIME
20. I HEARD YOU BEEN LAYIN’ MY OLD LADY
21. UP AGAINST THE WALL, REDNECK
22. FAREWELL, ANGELINA

All prices quoted in AUD$

AUD$ 21.95 (available)