A pair
of Purple Sage classics – back to back on in a single set! First up is the classic debut
of New Riders Of The
Purple Sage – one
of the leading lights
of the
new acoustic scene in the Bay Area after the shaggier, more electric years
of the Haight Street scene! Jerry Garcia plays pedal steel and banjo on the record, and at some level these guys definitely owe a bit to some
of Jerry's more acoustic explorations – especially on records to come – but they've also got their own brand
of hippie country that's mighty nice, and which has a much more easygoing, less-jamming vibe than some
of the headier San Francisco groups
of the period. The set also features more guest work from Mickey Hart and Commander Cody – and titles include "Portland Woman", "Garden
Of Eden", "Whatcha Gonna Do", "Glendale Train", "Dirty Business", "Louisiana Lady", and "All I Ever Wanted". Powerglide is a set that has the
New Riders Of The
Purple Sage expanding their sound a bit – moving past the acoustic trio at the core to add in more pedal steel and even a bit
of dobro – all at a level that seems to further their commitment to country-influenced Bay Area acoustic grooves! As before, Jerry Garcia makes a few appearances on the set, but it's clear that the group don't even need his help to sound great – working with vocals that are more harmonic and confident than before, and with songs that also really show them growing as tunesmiths too. The set features the original cuts "Sweet Lovin One", "Rainbow", "California Day", "Contract", and "Runnin Back To You" – plus a great cover
of "Dim Lights Thick Smoke & Loud Loud Music".