New Riders of the Purple Sage

The New Riders of The Purple Sage were regarded as America’s favorite psychedelic cowboy band in the early 1970s. What had started as a chance for the Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia to learn pedal steel guitar as he accompanied singer John “Marmaduke” Dawson and his unique songbook of classic Americana tunes, had become its own entity by 1972.

With the addition of Buddy Cage on pedal steel to replace Garcia, 1972 saw two studio releases in the forms of Powerglide and Gypsy Cowboy. Emerging from the shadow of the Grateful Dead after opening countless shows for them, not only were the New Riders becoming a bona fide live act to contend with, but their performances were earning them a loyal and rabid following on the East Coast, especially in the New York Tri-State area.

Captured at the late show from November 23, 1972, at the Academy of Music, Thanksgiving In New York City features the band in the midst of an energetic and highly regarded tour. Along with Dawson classics like “Henry,” “Portland Woman,” and “Last Lonely Eagle,” lead guitarist David Nelson and bassist Dave Torbert also bring some Bluegrass (“She’s No Angel”) and R&B (“I Don’t Need No Doctor,” “Willie And The Hand Jive”) to the mix.

An evening with New Riders of the Purple Sage in downtown Manhattan offered music fans a musical panorama that continually upped the ante of the potential of country meets rock with a psychedelic twist. This concert from 1972 began what would be an annual engagement over the Thanksgiving holiday in New York City for the following three years. It was a family vibe of a whole other nature when the New Riders came to town. Crank it up and enjoy the musical feast that is Thanksgiving In New York City!