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with New and Old Classics at Mexicali Live! A SoundPress.net Feature Article by Rich and Laura Lynch The New Riders of The Purple Sage (NRPS) have traveled through the decades - taking in the scenes while experiencing their fare share of creativity, line-up changes and musical challenges. In 2009, the band continues to enjoy a musical revival that started back in 2005 with a reconstituted lineup that includes David Nelson (guitar, vocals), Buddy Cage (pedal steel), Michael Falzarano (guitar, vocals), Ronnie Penque (bass, vocals) and Johnny Markowski (drums, vocals).
 David Nelson and Michael Falzarano provide the signature dual guitar sound for the band. The New Riders of The Purple Sage blends blues, country, jam and psychedelic rock in an array of colorful covers and originals. Where I Come From, released in 2009 (review below), melds the classic NRPS sound in 12 compelling contemporary compositions. When NRPS returned to Mexicali Live in Teaneck, New Jersey on September 18, 2009 they we're playing in honor of a lost family member. Among the packed stage full of gear and instruments were two prominent photos of band co-founder John "Marmaduke" Dawson who recently succumbed to a longtime illness. "His songs inspired us in so many ways. His energy, passion and commitment to the New Riders brought us all so much joy over the years," Michael Falzarano said early in the NRPS set, acknowledging the passing of John by reiterating a message on the band's website. "We can all be thankful that his music and legacy will live on forever." Falzarano called Dawson's music "timeless" - and to prove his point - there was a young male fan in the front row among the more seasoned adherents who was mouthing all the lyrics to NRPS's catalogue throughout the show. The two NRPS sets presented their past and present in arrangements that showcased the talents of each player and the tightness of the band as a whole. NRPS appeared to be having fun playing their flowing grooves as fans danced and swayed to old and new compositions. Both sets started with songs from NRPS's most recent record. The title track "Where I Come From" opened the evening. This mid-tempo tune meandered through exploratory jams with gelling guitars and raucous rhythms. Vocals throughout the night were handled by all members minus Cage with some collective harmonies adding to the mix. The night's festivities featured many of NRPS's signature sounding songs with county flavored forays. Buddy's shimmering steel ebbed and flowed while floating to the top of many of the mixes before melding back into the band's musical muses. The many extensive jams were joyous jaunts and a cover of the Rolling Stones "Dead Flowers" was caustic yet chipper. Michael stepped up to the mike to thank some supporters in the crowd - noting that local radio station WFUV had recently aired a block of NRPS live concerts. He also gave a shout to us here at KWEEVAK.COM (thank you, Michael) before adding that Sirius Radio was playing the next song in heavy rotation. The Falzarano sung "Carl Perkins Wears The Crown" was silky and smoky and included educational music history in the lyrics. Staying with the new theme, NRPS played the peppy "Henrietta" which Mike said should be on the next record scheduled for 2010. After a break and a minor technical snag the New Riders of the Purple Sage returned with "Big Six" - a spirited country style song with sassy slide. The second set included plenty of classics such as "Blues Barrel" and "Panama Red" peppered with expansive instrumentation. New Riders of the Purple Sage's unique brand of rambling rock is timeless, yet, the newer tracks revealed that NRPS continues to grow creatively and collectively as a group.
 Buddy Cage puts on a master class in pedal steel guitar every time NRPS takes the stage. Opening for NRPS was Geoff Achison, a talented blues rock guitarist from Australia. Geoff was in town following his jam packed show at New York's Terra Blues and his teaching class at Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Peace guitar workshop in Ohio - something he has partaken in nearly a dozen times over the years. Geoff is well respected by fellow musicians but has yet to achieve overwhelming world wide success, but he's still trying as he jested during his set. When talking about one of his earliest songs "Don't Play Guitar" he relayed to the audience how he discovered his ambition to become a professional guitar player - and the reaction he often received from friends and associates when he told them of his dream. Achison performed a mix of covers and originals including two songs from his most recent release One Ticket, One Ride (CD review below). Geoff was solo but he is the type of player who pulls a wide range of sounds from his acoustic. Achison smoothly combined leads and rhythms and often added beats with taps to the body of his guitar. Geoff's take on Stevie Wonder's "Superstitious" was sinister and soaring. Achison's "My Little Bag" was a funky foray of facts and funny lyrics about plastic bags with a bigger message about modern society and its impacts on the environment. Geoff also incorporated varied vocal styles to hammer home his points on this and other tunes. Geoff played a number of blues based songs that showcased his technical skills moving effortlessly from taps, thumps and touch to traditional strumming. His original "Apparatus" was a prime example where he molded strange sounds and rhymes to create a mechanical melody that echoed of factory machines. Between songs, Achison shared snippets of his life in Australia, mentioning he was a railroad kid as he closed his set with a tune that had a tempo of trains and travel enhanced by even trickier guitar techniques. NEW RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE - WHERE I COME FROM: At it's inception in the 1970's New Riders of the Purple Sage was an outlet for Jerry Garcia to play pedal steel. The band in various lineups released 12 albums over an eleven year period before drifting apart. In 2005, David Nelson (guitars/vocals) and Buddy Cage (pedal steel) recruited Hot Tuna guitarist Michael Falzarano (guitars, production and vocals) to revive The New Riders of the Purple Sage. Enlisting a bass and keyboard player the band toured and was well received. In the spring of 2009, New Riders of the Purple Sage released Where I Come From - a twelve track CD that features seven songs co-written by Dead lyricist Robert Hunter. The album captures the classic Rider's vibe with a contemporary vision. The playing and production on the CD is peppy and precise with a range of melody and moods. The title track that opens the CD is edgy and engaging with slick slide work from Mr. Cage and twangy up-tempo jams. "Big Six" is a county flavored foray with solid guitar grooves and righteous rhythms. "Barracuda Moon" is pointed political prose with cutting chord structures, probing percussion and a murky melody. It is followed by "Higher" a hopeful tune that looks at things that makes the writer and perhaps the listener happy. Other highlights include their tuneful interpretation of the traditional "Minglewood Blues" and "Blues Barrel", which has a funky feel within a blues format. The New Riders of the Purple Sage are back with a fine country rock album that melds their past and present persuasions. GEOFF ACHISON - ONE TICKET, ONE RIDE: Geoff Achison has been a favorite of the Kweevak.com website for a number of years and we dare say that One Ticket, One Ride is Geoff's best record to date. The CD is versatile and vibrant featuring a wide range of moods and talented musicians who Achison met while living in the Atlanta area for a spell. Geoff is a guitarist who plays with passion and precision. His rootsy vocals are well suited for the blues which he tends to favor. On this album, Achison explores an array of arrangements and styles. The CD opens strong with the up-beat, bluesy "Sent To The Edge" showcasing stellar string work from Geoff and robust rhythms. "My Little Bag" flows on catchy chords combined with caustic commentary on the wonders and woes of plastic bags and people's un-willingness to change for the greater good. "Kinda Makes Sense" is a prime example of exploration with its dash of reggae and rapping vocals intertwined with horns. "Pocketful Of Spells" - one of three intricate instrumentals - is a pretty pensive piece featuring slight sound effects and strings. "Bootbanger" kicks into a funky foray with horns and hefty guitar grooves. "Testosta Rhonda" grabs the listener with its edgy Johnny B. Goode rock vibe. One Ticket, One Ride is diverse in scope and dynamic in style, demonstrating that Geoff is not just a beguiling blues guitarist but a musician with many muses.
NRPS Setlist 09/17/2009
 Geoff Achison is a much respected blues guitarist, singer and songwriter hailing from Australia. Related Links: For more information on the NEW RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- TheNewRiders.com | MichaelFalzarano.com | Buddy Cage Blog | BUY Where I Come From | GeoffAchison.com | MexicaliLive.com
 (Originally Published on September 19, 2009) |
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