When the New Riders of the Purple Sage released their first album on Columbia Records in 1971, they were already familiar to Deadheads, both as an opening act and for individual cameos on Aoxomoxoa (1969), Workingman’s Dead (1970) and American Beauty (1970). The seeds of the relationship, however, date back almost a decade, when David Nelson and John Dawson (a/k/a Marma-Duke) met Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter in the San Francisco music scene of the 1960s. The Riders originally started out as something of a hybrid Dead project, with Jerry Garcia on pedal steel, Mickey Hart on drums and percussion and Phil Lesh on bass. Before the first Riders album was recorded, Lesh was replaced by David Torbert and ex-Jefferson Airplane drummer Spencer Dryden joined the band. Featuring all-new material written by Dawson, the first Riders record is a classic country-rock album that suggests a wide-eyed and innocent Workingman’s Dead.
With subsequent albums, the Riders began dropping Dead along the way: Buddy Cage replaced Garcia as the pedal steel guitarist on Powerglide (1972), and by Gypsy Cowboy (1972) the only Dead connection consisted of backing vocals by Donna Jean Godchaux. Despite the dearth of Dead, NRPS continued to attract a following with its hippie-inspired country-rock music, culminating in The Adventures of Panama Red (1973). Torbert, who had shared songwriting duties with Dawson since the second album, left after the live Home, Home On The Road (1974), and the Riders’ commercial fortunes faded when they moved to MCA Records in the mid Seventies. Dryden left the band after Who Are These Guys? (1977).
The Riders recorded one album with A&M Records in 1981, then called it quits. Dawson re-emerged with new Riders in 1989 and recorded a few albums for Relix Records. Since then, live archival material has appeared on various boutique labels as well as modern-day live recordings from the Dawson-led lineup. Dawson passed away in Mexico in 2009, which pretty much marked the end of the original ride, although Nelson and Cage revived the band and even released new material on the Woodstock label. While NRPS never had the cult of the Dead, the commercial success of Poco or the star power of The Flying Burrito Brothers, their first few albums are “highly” recommended to fans of country rock and rolling papers.
The Discography
NEW RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE (1971)
I Don’t Know You / Whatcha Gonna Do / Portland Woman / Henry / Dirty Business // Glendale Train / Garden of Eden / All I Ever Wanted / Last Lonely Eagle / Louisiana Lady. Released on elpee and 8-track in August 1971 in the US and Canada (Columbia, C-30888), the UK (CBS, S/42-64657), Australia (CBS, SBP-234012), and Japan (CBS, SOCP-57148); reached #39 on the US charts. Re-released on elpee in the 1970s in the Netherlands (Embassy, EMB-31105) and in 1979 in the US (Columbia, PC-30888). Re-released on CD in 1989 in the US (Columbia, 30888). Re-packaged w. Powerglide on May 21, 2002 in the US (Bang On, 551). Re-released on expanded CD with 3 live bonus tracks on March 4, 2003 in the US (Columbia/Legacy, CK-85388) and Japan (Sony, MHCP-2036).
Louisiana Lady (1971)
b/w Last Lonely Eagle. Released on 7-inch in 1971 in the US (Columbia, 45469).
I Don’t Know You (1972)
b/w Garden of Eden. Released on 7-inch in 1972 in the US (Columbia, 45526). Also released as a promotional 7-inch single with mono version of “I Don’t Know You” on the flip side in 1972 in the US (Columbia, 4-45526).
POWERGLIDE (1972)
Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (And Loud, Loud Music) / Rainbow / California Day / Sweet Lovin’ One / Lochinvar / I Don’t Need No Doctor / Contract / Runnin’ Back To You / Hello Mary Lou / Duncan And Brady / Willie And The Hand Jive. Released on elpee in March 1972 in the US (Columbia, C-31284), the UK and Netherlands (CBS, S-64843), Australia (CBS, SBP-234116) and Japan (CBS, SOPL-45); reached #33 on the US charts. Re-released on CD on April 16, 1996 in the US (Columbia/Legacy, CK-64912).
I Don’t Need No Doctor (1972)
b/w Runnin’ Back To You. Released on 7-inch in 1972 in the US (Columbia, 45607); reached #81 on the US charts. Also released on 7-inch w. different B side (“California Day”) in 1972 in the UK and Netherlands (CBS, CBS-8035) with picture sleeve.
Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (And Loud, Loud Music) (1972)
b/w Rainbow. Released on 7-inch in 1972 in the US (Columbia, 45682).
California Day (1972)
b/w I Don’t Need No Doctor. Released on 7-inch in 1972 in Japan (CBS).
Hello Mary Lou (1972)
b/w Willie And The Hand Jive. Released on 7-inch in 1972 in Japan (CBS, SPOA-19) with picture sleeve.
GYPSY COWBOY (1972)
Gypsy Cowboy / Whiskey / Groupie / Sutter’s Mill / Death And Destruction // Linda / On My Way Back Home / Superman / She’s No Angel / Long Black Veil / Sailin’. Released on elpee and 8-track in December 1972 in the US (Columbia, KC/CA-31930), the UK (CBS, S-65008), Australia (CBS, SBP-234273) and Japan (CBS/Sony, SOPL-137); reached #85 on the US charts. Re-released on CD in 2000 in France (Sony, 471371). Re-packaged w. The Adventures of Panama Red on CD on March 9, 2002 in the US and the UK (Beat Goes On, BGOCD-509). Re-released on expanded CD with 4 live bonus tracks on July 17, 2007 in the US (Wounded Bird, 1930).
Groupie (1973)
b/w She’s No Angel. Released on 7-inch in February 1973 in the US (Columbia, 4-45673). Also released as a promotional 7-inch single with the mono version of “Groupie” on the flip side in 1972 in the US (Columbia, 4-45673).
THE ADVENTURES OF PANAMA RED (1973)
Panama Red / It’s Alright With Me / Lonesome L.A. Cowboy / Important Exportin Man / One Too Many Stories // Kick In The Head / You Should Have Seen Me Runnin / Teardrops In My Eyes / L.A. Lady / Thank The Day / Cement, Clay And Glass. Released on elpee in 1973 in the US (Columbia, KC-32450), the UK (CBS, S 65687) and New Zealand (CBS, SBP-474151) with gatefold cover and lyrics innersleeve; reached #55 on the US charts (RIAA certified gold record). Re-released on elpee in 1974 in the US (Columbia, CQ-32450 in quadraphonic stereo) and in 1979 in the US (Columbia, PC-32450) with gatefold cover. Re-released on CD in the US (Columbia, 32450) and on elpee and CD in 1992 in the UK (Beat Goes On, BGOLP/BGOCD-26).
Panama Red (1973)
b/w Cement, Clay And Glass. Released on 7-inch in the US (Columbia, 45976).
HOME, HOME ON THE ROAD (1974)
Live tracks: Hi, Hello, How Are You / She’s No Angel / Groupie / Sunday Susie / Kick In The Head / Truck Drivin’ Man / Hello Mary Lou / Sutter’s Mill / Dead Flowers / Henry / School Days. Released on elpee in April 1974 in the US (Columbia, PC 32870) and the UK (CBS, S 80060); reached #68 on the US charts. Repackaged as Cactus Juice with four live bonus tracks (“Down In The Boondocks,” “The Weight,” “Superman,” “Henry”) plus Brujo and Oh, What A Mighty Time and released on 2CD on September 26, 2006 in Germany (Acadia, 8122).
BRUJO (1974)
Old Man Noll / Ashes of Love / You Angel You / Instant Armadillo Blues / Workingman’s Woman / On The Amazon / Big Wheels / Singing Cowboy / Crooked Judge / Parson Brown / Neon Rose. Released on elpee in November 1974 in the US (Columbia, PC 33145) and the Netherlands (CBS, 80405) with lyrics innersleeve; reached #68 on the US charts.
You Angel You (1974)
b/w Parson Brown. Released on 7-inch in 1974 in the US (Columbia, 10067).
OH, WHAT A MIGHTY TIME (1975)
Mighty Time / I Heard You’ve Been Layin’ My Old Lady / Strangers On A Train / Up Against The Wall, Redneck / Take a Letter, Maria / Little Old Lady / On Top of Old Smokey / Over And Over / Bamba / Going Round The Horn / Farewell, Angelina. Released on elpee in 1975 in the US (Columbia, PC 33688) and the UK (CBS, S CBS 69182); reached #144 on the US charts. Re-released on CD on June 26, 2007 in the US (Wounded Bird).
NEW RIDERS (1976)
Fifteen Days Under The Hood / Annie May / You Never Can Tell / Hard To Handle / Dead Flowers / Don’t Put Her Down / Honky Tonkin’ (I Guess I Done Me Some) / She’s Looking Better Every Beer / Can’t Get Over You / The Swimming Song. Released on elpee in 1976 in the US (MCA, MCA-2196), the UK (MCA, MCF-2758) and Japan (MCA, VIM-6106); reached #145 on the US charts. Re-released on CD in 1993 in the US (One Way, ONE-22108).
Don’t Put Her Down (1976)
b/w Fifteen Days Under The Hood. Released on 7-inch in 1976 in the US (MCA, 40564).
Dead Flowers (1976)
b/w She’s Looking Better Every Beer. Released on 7-inch in 1976 in the US (MCA, 40591).
THE BEST OF NEW RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE (1976)
I Don’t Know You / Glendale Train / Hello Mary Lou (Goodbye Heart) / Louisiana Lady / Kick In The Head / Panama Red / Last Lonely Eagle / You Angel You / I Don’t Need No Doctor / Henry. Compilation released on elpee in 1976 in the US (Columbia, PC-34367) and the UK (CBS, 81742). Re-released on CD in the US (Columbia, CK-34367).
WHO ARE THOSE GUYS? (1977)
I Can Heal You / High Rollers / Peggy Sue / (Just) Another Night In Reno / It Never Hurts To Be Nice To Somebody // Love Has Strange Ways / Hold on It’s Coming / By And By When I Need You / Home Grown / Red Hot Women And Ice Cold Beer. Released on elpee in 1977 in the US (MCA, MCA-2248), the UK (MCA, MCF-2793) and Japan (Victor, VIM-6127). Re-released on CD in 1993 in the US (One Way, ONE-22109).
Love Has Strange Ways (1977)
b/w Red Hot Women And Ice Cold Beer. Released on 7-inch in 1977 in the US (MCA, 40686). Also released as a 7-inch promotional single in 1977 in the US (MCA, 40686) with the mono version of “Love Has Strange Ways” on the flip side.
(Just) Another Night In Reno (1977)
b/w Home Grown. Released on 7-inch in 1977 in the US (MCA, 40715).
MARIN COUNTY LINE (1978)
Till I Met You / Llewellyn / Knights And Queens / Green Eyes A Flashing / Oh What A Night / Good Woman Likes To Drink With The Boys / Jasper / Echos / Twenty Good Men / Little Miss Bad / Take A Red. Released on elpee in 1978 in the US (MCA, MCA-2307) and the UK (MCA, MCF-2820). Re-released on CD on October 5, 1993 in the US (One Way, ONE-22107).
FEELIN’ ALL RIGHT (1980)
Night For Making Love / No Other Love / The Way She Dances / Tell Me / Fly Right / Crazy Little Girl / Full Moon At Midnight / Pakalolo Man / Day Dreamin’ Girl / Saralyn. Released on elpee in July 1980 in the US (A&M, SP-4818) and Canada (A&M, SP-04818).
Night For Making Love (1980)
b/w Fly Right. Released on 7-inch in April 1981 in the US (A&M, 2327).
Full Moon At Midnight (1981)
b/w No Other Love. Released on 7-inch in July 1981 in the US (A&M, 2352).
BEFORE TIME BEGAN (1986)
Henry / All I Ever Wanted / Last Lonely Eagle / Cecilia / Garden of Eden / Superman / Backwards Stuff / Deh Rominap (Panama Red) / A Handful of Brains / I’m Through With The Fish, Harve / Och Tamale / A Handful of Brains Part 2 / Where Discipline Comes In. Released on CD in 1986 in the US (Relix, RRCD-2024).
VINTAGE NRPS (1986)
Live tracks: I Don’t Know You / Cecilia / Whatcha Gonna Do / Dirty Business // Fair Chance To Know / Garden of Eden / Portland Woman / Honky Tonk Women. Live material originally recorded in 1971 and released on elpee and CD in 1986 in the US (Relix, RRLP/RRCD-2025).
TAKE A RED (1987)
Take A Red / Oh What A Night / Jasper / (Just) Another Night In Reno / Don’t Put Her Down / Fifteen Days Under The Hood / Annie Mae / She’s Looking Better Every Beer. Compilation released on cassette in 1987 in the US (MCA Special Products, 20374-4).
KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON (1989)
Keep On Keepin’ On / Now I Call It Love / It’s OK To Cry / Bounty Hunter / Barbaric Splendor / Senorita / Night of The Living Lonely / Rancher’s Daughter / Big Ed / Friend of The Devil. Released on CD in 1989 in the US (Mu, MCD-31109). Re-released on CD in 1992 in the US (Relix, RRCD-2057).
MIDNIGHT MOONLIGHT (1992)
Midnight Moonlight / Sutter’s Mill / Charlie’s Garden / All I Remember / Louisiana Lady / Ballad of The Deportee / Taking It Hard / Glendale Train / Change In The Weather / Diesel On My Tail / Lonesome LA Cowboy. Released on CD on June 12, 1992 in the US (Relix).
LIVE ON STAGE (1993)
Live tracks: Panama Red / Little Old Lady / Instant Armadillo Blues / Henry / Glendale Train / Nadine / Singing Cowboy / Take A Letter Maria / I Will Never Make You Blue / La Bamba. Live archival material recorded in 1975 and released on CD in 1993 in the US (Relix, RRCD-2059).
WASTED TASTERS 1971-75 (1994)
Henry / Glendale Train / Louisiana Lady / I Don’t Know You / Last Lonely Eagle / I Don’t Need No Doctor / Contract / Rainbow / Sweet Lovin’ One / Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (And Loud, Loud Music) / She’s No Angel / Gypsy Cowboy / Sutter’s Mill / Sailin’ / Panama Red / Lonesome LA Cowboy / Kick In The Head / Teardrops In My Eyes / Hello Mary Lou / Dead Flowers / You Angel You / Singing Cowboy / I Heard You Been Layin’ My Old Lady / Farewell Angelina. Compilation released on CD on April 20, 1994 in Australia (Raven, RVCD-36).
LIVE IN JAPAN (1994)
Live tracks: Henry / Dire Wolf / Rainbow / Early In The Morning / Keep On Keepin’ On / Ripple / I Don’t Know You / Friend of The Devil / Portland Woman. Live album released on CD on September 27, 1994 in the US (Relix, RRCD-2065).
LIVE (1995)
Live tracks: Henry / The Way She Dances / Tell Me / Crazy Little Girl / Saralyn / Panama Red / No Other Love / Can’t Judge A Book / Rainbow / I Don’t Know You / Dead Flowers. Archival live material recorded in 1982 and released on February 14, 1995 in the US (Avenue/Rhino, RHI-71289).
RELIX’S BEST OF THE EARLY NEW RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE (1995)
Henry / Last Lonely Eagle / Cecilia / Dirty Business / Honky Tonk Women / Portland Woman / Panama Red / Glendale Train / Nadine / Singing Cowboy / La Bamba. Compilation released on CD in 1995 in the US (Relix, 2071).
RELIX’S BEST OF THE NEW RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE (1997)
Charlie’s Garden / Ballad of The Deportees / Taking It Hard / Change In The Weather / Diesel On My Tail / Keep On Keepin’ On / Bounty Hunter / Rancher’s Daughter / Early In The Morning / Ripple. Compilation released on CD in March 1997 in the US (Relix, 2082).
RIDIN’ WITH PANAMA RED (2000)
Panama Red / I Don’t Need No Doctor / Ashes of Love / L.A. Lady / Willie And The Hand Jive / Whatcha Gonna Do / Long Black Veil / Hello Mary Lou Goodbye Heart (Live) / Truck Drivin’ Man (Live) / Dead Flowers (Live). Compilation released on CD on March 30, 2000 in the US (Sony Music Special Products, 27504).
DRIFTING CLOUDS (2000)
(Ghost) Riders in the Sky / Clouds / Will Work For Food / Lobo / Cowboy Rides Again / Seven Shot Six Gun / Tribute To Gene Autry: Back in the Saddle Again – South of The Border / RV Cowboys / Rusty Spurs And Dusty Saddles / When I Was A Kid / Colorado Blue / Good ‘Ol Doctor Jones / Ain’t Nothin’ I Need More Than You / Tribute To Roy Rogers. Released on CD on April 21, 2000 in the US (Wagon Wheel, 71501).
27 HITS PERFORMED LIVE (2000)
Live tracks: Kickin’ Up Dust / Happy Rovin’ Cowboy / Cattle Call / Way Out There / Trail To San Antone / We’ll Rest At The End of The Trail / Ride Cowboy Ride / When Payday Rolls Around / Blue Shadows On The Trail / Out On The Texas Plains / When The Bloom Is On The Sage / Dude Cowboy / Night-Time In Nevada / Hills of Tennessee / Don’t Fence Me In / Pecos Bill / Tumbling Tumbleweeds / Rocky Top / Have I Told You Lately That I Love You / Smoke Smoke Smoke / Cool Water / Clouds / (Ghost) Riders In The Sky / Interstate Madonna / Wind Lullaby / Rollin’ Rollin’ Prairies / California Waltz. Released on CD in 2000 in the US (Aim/Wagon Wheel, 71502).
WORCESTER, MA 4/4/73 (2003)
Live tracks: I Don’t Know You / Lochinvar / Rainbow / It’s Alright With Me / Sailin’ / Whatcha Gonna Do / California Day / Linda / Groupie / One Too Many Stories / Contract / Teardrops In My Eyes / Long Black Veil / You Ain’t Woman Enough / Whiskey // Dirty Business / Down In The Boondocks / Hello Mary Lou / You Should Have Seen Me Runnin’ / Portland Woman / Henry / Glendale Train / Last Lonely Eagle / Louisiana Lady / Willie And The Hand Jive. Live material originally recorded in 1973 and released on 2CD on May 20, 2003 in the US (Kufala, 032).
BOSTON MUSIC HALL, DECEMBER 5, 1972 (2003)
Live tracks: Truck Drivin’ Man / Whatcha Gonna Do / Hello Mary Lou / Rainbow / Down In The Boondocks / Portland Woman / She’s No Angel / Schooldays / Henry / Long Black Veil // I Don’t Know You / Sutter’s Mill / Groupie / Whiskey / Last Lonely Eagle / Willie And The Hand Jive / I Love To Sing My Ballad, Mama (But They Only Want To Hear Me Rock And Roll) / Honky Tonk Women. Originally recorded live in 1972 and released on 2CD on November 11, 2003 in the US (Kufala, 0052).
LIVE AT VENETA, OR, AUGUST 27, 1972 (2004)
Live tracks: Truck Drivin’ Man / Rainbow / Lochinvar / Groupie / Stage Announcement – White Bird Tent / Whatcha Gonna Do / Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (And Loud Loud Music) / Hello Mary Lou / Stage Announcement – Field Tripping / Whiskey / Stage Announcement – Salt Tabs & Blue Acid / Runnin’ Back To You / I Don’t Need No Doctor / Linda / Louisiana Lady / Last Lonely Eagle / Willie And The Hand Jive. Originally recorded live in 1972 and released on CD on September 21, 2004 in the US (Kufala).
LIVE: AUSTIN, TEXAS, JUNE 15, 1975 (2005)
Live tracks: I Don’t Know You / Panama Red / Lonesome L.A. Cowboy / Austin, Texas / Instant Armadillo Blues / Teardrops In My Eyes / Dirty Business / Henry / Sutter’s Mill / Dim Lights, Thick Smoke And Loud, Loud Music / Louisiana Lady / Strangers On A Train / Portland Woman // I’m Bringin’ Home Good News / You Angel You / She’s No Angel / My Dog Peaches / On The Amazon / Before The Next Teardrop Falls / Over & Over / Whiskey / Crooked Judge / I Will Never Make You Blue / New Orleans / La Bamba / Glendale Train / Dead Flowers / Nadine. Originally recorded live in 1975 and released on 2CD on November 15, 2005 in the US (Kufala, 125).
WANTED: LIVE AT TURKEY TROT (2007)
Live tracks: Lonesome L.A. Cowboy / Sutter’s Mill / Whatcha Gonna Do / Last Lonely Eagle / Rainbow / Portland Woman / One Too Many Stories / Henry / Sliding Delta / Lochinvar / Garden of Eden / I Don’t Know You / Panama Red. Released on CD in June 2007 in the US (Fa-Ka-Wee).
3/17/73 S.U.N.Y. STONYBROOK – STONYBROOK, NY (2007)
Live tracks: Amazing Grace Tuneup/Introduction / Teardrops In My Eyes / One Too Many Stories / Take A Letter Maria / School Days / Portland Woman / It’s Alright With Me / Rainbow / Hello Mary Lou / Lochinvar / She’s No Angel / You Should Have Seen Me Runnin’ / Long Black Veil / Truck Drivin’ Man / Contract / Sweet Lovin One / Groupie / Sutter’s Mill / I Don’t Need No Doctor // Henry / Crazy Arms / Glendale Train / All I Ever Wanted / Whiskey / Who Likes Louie Louie? / California Day / Louisiana Lady / Last Lonely Eagle / Dim Lights, Thick Smoke And Loud, Loud Music / Willie And the Hand Jive / Connection / Honky Tonk Women. Originally recorded live in 1973 and released on 2CD on November 13, 2007 in the US (Kufala).
RELIX’S BEST OF THE NEW (2009)
Panama Red / Little Old Lady / Instant Armadillo Blues / Henry / Glendale Train / Nadine / Singing Cowboy / Take A Letter Maria / I Will Never Make You Blue / Bamba / Keep On Keepin’ On / Now I Call It Love / It’s OK To Cry / Bounty Hunter / Barbaric Splendor // Senorita / Night of The Living Lonely / Rancher’s Daughter / Big Ed / Friend of The Devil / Henry / All I Ever Wanted / Last Lonely Eagle / Cecilia / Garden of Eden / Superman / Charlie’s Garden / Ballad of Deportees / Taking It Hard / Change In The Weather / Diesel On My Tail / Early In The Morning / Ripple. Compilation released on 2CD on June 1, 2009 in the US (Retroworld).
WHERE I COME FROM (2009)
Where I Come From / Big Six / Barracuda Moon / Higher / Down The Middle / Them Old Minglewood Blues / Something In The Air Tonight / Olivia Rose / Blues Barrel / Ghost Train Blues / Carl Perkins Wears The Crown / Rockin’ With Nona. Released on CD on June 2, 2009 in the US (Woodstock).
INSTANT ARMADILLO BLUES: BEST OF 1971-1975 (2011)
I Don’t Know You / Whatcha Gonna Do / Portland Woman / Henry / Dirty Business / Glendale Train / All I Ever Wanted / Last Lonely Eagle / Louisiana Lady / Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (And Loud, Loud Music) / Rainbow / California Day / Sweet Lovin’ One / I Don’t Need No Doctor / Contract / Willie And The Hand Jive / Gypsy Cowboy / Groupie / Sutter’s Mill / Linda // She’s No Angel / Long Black Veil / Sailin’ / Panama Red / Lonesome L.A. Cowboy / Kick In The Head / You Should Have Seen Me Runnin’ / Teardrops In My Eyes / Cement, Clay And Glass / Hi, Hello, How Are You? / Truck Drivin’ Man / Hello Mary Lou / School Days / Ashes of Love / Instant Armadillo Blues / Singing Cowboy / Farewell, Angelina / I Heard You Been Layin’ My Old Lady / Up Against The Wall, Redneck / Mighty Time. Compilation released on 2CD on November 21, 2001 in Australia (Raven, RVCD-345).
17 PINE AVENUE (2012)
Prisoner of Freedom / Message In A Bottle / Fivio / Just The Way It Goes / 17 Pine Avenue / Down For The Ride / No Time / Shake That Thing / Suite At The Mission / I Know There’s Someone Else / Six of One / Truth Is Dead. Released on CD on March 6, 2012 in the US (Woodstock).
