This will be sure to alienate some NRPS purists, but I gotta be me.  After agonizing over which would be my favorite NRPS album (and hence the first for the album review) here it is.

I have never made any bones about the fact that my personal favorite line-up was the one with Skip on bass.  As I have stated, NRPS seldom played SoCal so I was only able to see them 3 times, all in 1974 and all with Skip.  But following up a rather uninspired New Riders (the comet album) WATG was a fresh new polished sound.  With Steve Loves songwriting and beautiful vocals, this is my favorite album, just eclipsing Brujo.  Just Another Night in Reno and I Can Heal You are two of Loves best.  Additionally, the Spencer penned continuation of Henry Homegrown is a treat and Nelsons distintive vocal makes High Rollers one of my top 3 NRPS songs of all time.  If I could have only one NRPS album, this would be it.  Thankfully, that is not the case. 

Any and all comments welcomed, just keep it clean.  I try to run a blog all ages can enjoy.

9:07 PM - Mar. 5, 2006 - comments {3} - post comment
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New Memorabillia Page

ADDED: 3/17/06  New to Memorabilia Page:  My bros copy of "Don't Go Down the Drain"  Skip Battins solo album.  This albun was released in Italy only, and is very rare.

For more pics (a lot more) check out the New NRPSBlog at TheBakerBros.com

ADDED 3/5/06   New to the memorabilia page:  My bros autoed   Home, Home on the Road vinyl.  It too has been to NYC (Cage) and Mexico (Dawson).  Also includes Nelson, done at a DNB concert.  On right edge of album cover Dawson asked if anyone knew whereabouts of the sculpture on album cover.  No one that I know does, but Rick got busy in his shop and has now made several replicas.  Dawson has one, Cage got his at Danielson, I dont think Nelson has recd his yet, although it is finished.  Top pic is sculpture in process, bottom is album cover.  Will be adding more as time permits.  I also have a new project that should be on line in a day or two.  Stay tuned.

I recieved an e-mail today suggesting  adding a page for people to post picks of autos, posters ticket stubs etc from the band.  Since I lost the entire post for the first NRPS Album Review so I will start with my VERY well worn vinyl copy of "Who Are Those Guys".  My bro sent it to AZ and had Steve Love autograph it for my birthday (along with both a vinyl copy and a cd of Marin County Line).  My quest became getting all the band members to autograph it.  Off it went, to NYC to Cage, then to Mexico for Marmaduke.  Since Nelson was the only one touring at the time, I figured to try for Spencer next, but  sadly...

I'll get Nelson, but the last time The DNB played SD I forgot to bring it.

One piece of humor-On the front, Dawson signed his name and drew an arrow to his picture.  On the back on the far left side he wrote "Cage got all he good places on this cover as he did on the record within!" and signed it again.

I am going to get my IT guy to show me how to put posts into catagories so we can have one section dedicated to pictures of our NRPS Memories.

11:03 PM - Feb. 17, 2006 - comments {1} - post comment
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The Power of a Blog

ADDED 2/22/06  I will always give credit when due.  I mentioned in this post of the band members who have posted to the blog.  Back before the Danielson show, a poster called NEON GODS sent some pics of the newest band members.  I had a feeling, today confirmed, the poster was current band member Ronnie Penque.  Confirmed by post to Buddy Cage's site. Neon Gods is also the name of Ronnie's side band.  Keep coming back, post anytime please!!!.

As was pointed out in an e-mail from blog participant DannyG244 I've been lagging in regard to the blog.  I can't believe the response I've gotten from this thing.  The company I work for gave everyone a blog, I figured I'd play around with it. Never expected anything like this. We have had posts from Buddy Cage, Steve Love and Skip Battin's widow Peggy.  I have gotten responses from as far away as robshaz10 in Australia (an inquiry about t-shirt availability). Our buddy TGeren has been contacted by deadfreak1972 and arrainged a B&P for a live tape(I'm sure he could use some more).   I am not including names or e-mail addresses for privacy of participants, but wouldn't it be nice to comunicate amongst ourselves?  If anyone thinks so, post a comment including your e-mail address.  Not only would it would be cool to get feedback from each other, but also leave your city name and we can all see where we're from. 

April 7 – Crystal Bay Club – Crystal Bay, NV.  This will be great.  This is one of my favorite places in the world.  Across the street is The Tahoe Biltmore-great old school hotel.  Wish I could be there.I hope one of these days there will be a show in San Diego or area.  Also Grants Pass, (a great little town), SF, Petaluma, etc. The April west coast tour-catch it if you can. 

Trying to decide what my favorite studio album is, so I can start The NRPSBlog Album Review Dept in order of favorites.  I have narrowed

it down to three.  Soon.

GO NRPS!!!!

7:15 PM - Jan. 24, 2006 - comments {3} - post comment
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7:45 PM - Jan. 17, 2006
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Christmas Thoughts

Here's hoping everyone has a Merry Christmas, and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.  My hopes for the New Year include a stop in San Diego (or at least near) for the NRPS west coast tour, and prayers for Marmaduke for improving health.  I would love to see him be able to hit the road for some shows in the future.  Thanks to all of you for stopping by the ol blog, and would like to hear from you all soon.

Dennis

6:03 PM - Dec. 25, 2005 - comments {2} - post comment
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The Skip Battin Album That Almost Was

I know it's been a while since I posted anything new.  Hope I haven't lost both of my readers;-)  Before I get started on this post, lets help out a brother.  Blog participant Tom needs our help.  He needs to bolster his musical library of  live NRPS shows, but doesn't have anything to trade, yet.  I'll start by doing a few B&P for him, how about the rest of you?  His e-mail address is tgeren@comcast.net
or just contact me through the blog. Contact him with what you have and work out a B&P.  Lets get some trading and B&P going around.  Now on with the post.

I have always liked the music of Skip ever since the It Was I / Cherry Pie days of Skip and Flip.  I have always maintained that the best version of the Byrds was McGuinn, Skip, Gene Parsons and Clarence White.  His contribution to NRPS is monumental.  I have seen NRPS 3 times, all in 1974 with Skip. Some of his best work was with the Flying Burrito Brothers in the 80's. He was also an accomplished pianist, and a great example of what I call "Lead Bass".

His distinctive vocals were a joy to listen to. He spoke (and sang) fluent Italian.   A truly multi talented musician.

There was almost more to this story.  There was a demo called "Starlite Special" (from from the NRPS song "Strangers on a Train"). This is from his lady Peggy regarding the demo.

It is one he and I put together here in his studio in the house.  It is a compilation from several older material sources which we assembled and tweaked a little to meet his perfectionist standards.  When it was finished it was sent out to several producers around the country.  Among them was Burnside Records in Portland.  We hand delivered it to Terry Currier  late one night when we went up to see Gene Parsons perform.  Later Terry contacted Skip and wanted to produce a CD.  We worked at a studio in Portland for 2 days, but then Skip's alzheimers  began to cause him problems playing, so we had to stop in the middle and it was never finished. 

If not for the Alzheimers, there would have been another collection of Skip's great work.  Wish it could have been finished.  I'll bet it would have been great.

Picture provided by Peggy (her favorite) from her collection

10:24 PM - Dec. 17, 2005 - comments {3} - post comment
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BAD DOG - A Post From A San Francisco All Star

OK folks, if you're following the blog, (and shame on you if you're not) an Anonymous poster had wondered if Buddy Cage or Steve Love could (or would) comment on the story that "Bad Dog" had been a possible name for The San Francisco All-Stars, the super group with Buddy Cage, Steve Love, John and Mario Cippolina and Joey Covington.  I received this from Buddy Cage, but rather than post as a comment I will post it as a new thread.

When I get some decent time - it's a great story. A John Cipollina Story, more precisely...
I'm in an Internet Cafe in Vegas getting mail cleared before I set up for the www.at40vegas.com show. Load in: Noon. You can pass this on to the bloggers. When I get back to NYC, I'll do the Story. bc

Stay tuned, when I get this it will be added to this thread. It gonna be great.  db

8:08 PM - Nov. 1, 2005 - comments {3} - post comment
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Link to the Rain Desert

Just added a link to The Rain Desert, site of the first NRPS show of the recent mini tour.  Click on Buddy's pic for video clips from the show.  Thanks to our good friend Jan Goldstein.  Check out the other good stuff from The Rain Desert.

http://www.raindesert.com/  If link doesn't work, copy/paste or go to my link section on the right side.

5:02 PM - Oct. 22, 2005 - comments {1} - post comment
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Stephen A Love: Best Pure Voice of NRPS

         Steve Love   Circa 1976

Steve's short tenure in the band included what I feel are 2 of the best albums all, "Who Are Those Guys", and "Marin County Line".  His considerable songwriting talents and 4 octive voice range (before going into falsetto) were a welcome addition to the band, which was coming off the MCA album, "New Riders". This was a good album to be sure, but not very much originality. At this time the band became very polished, but still with some of the old edgy sound.  I plan to do some album reviews later, but right now lets talk about Steve.

Coming to NRPS through Rick Nelson's Stone Canyon Band, Steve was already a veteran of the music scene.  His first job in Hollywood was with the Kingsman.  Yeah, Louie, Louie.  He also had center stage in The Byrds for 3 years, sharing lead vocals with Roger.

We'll all be looking forward to that...Thanks Steve!

9:14 PM - Oct. 15, 2005 - comments {1} - post comment
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Observations from The Rain Desert

My Bro posted this as a comment, I want to make it a new thread.

okay, setlist as follows: Henry/Lonesome L.A. Cowboy/Rainbow/Whiskey/Contract/Garden of Eden/Truck Drivin Man/Sunday Suzie/Dirty Business/Runnin Back to You/Take a Letter, Maria/ 2nd set:Portland Woman/Willie and the Handjive/I Dont Know You/Groupie/Louisana lady/Last Lonely Eagle/Panama Red...No encore because it was past 1 am, and the cops would shut em down if any noise was made past 1.
It was a GREAT show, faithfully recreated, not note for note mind you. but as a great man once said;"If you want note for note, go listen to Perry Como"
I met alot of friends that night, some of which had been "email friends only". I called em, "the best friends I never met". Well, now I met em, and Im happy to say we're real friends now! People like Buddy,Leslie, David, Jan, Patti, Johnny, Ronnie, Michael, Heather, Kevin, and that Great lady, the owner of the bar..(Im so sorry, I forgot your name, but Thank you for everything!) and many others.
I kinda got stranded there, for I couldnt catch a bus back to the airport at that late hour, and was gonna miss my flight. Everyone began asking around, and came up with Heather, who was willing to take me the 40 miles to the Green airport in Providence, RI. She was very nice for doing that, and I thank her publicly here. Thanks, Heather!
Thats all I can think of, off hand. Any questions I can answer, post em here, I'll do my best !
Thanks everyone, IT WAS WORTH EVERY MILE! -Rick Baker PS pics to follow soon...

                 All pics from Danielson courtesy of Rick Baker

6:45 PM - Oct. 8, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment
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10/05/05 -- The Big Show

As I write this, my bro is in the air heading for Danielson, CT for the big show.  He promises a review, set list, pics and more...stay tuned...for now, here is a scan of an actual ticket to the show.  Enjoy, Bro!

Coming soon, a special report on Steve Love, bassist, singer and songwriter extrordinaire in our "Where are they now? department.

10:27 PM - Oct. 4, 2005 - comments {4} - post comment
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Our Founder

What can be said about Marmaduke that hasn't already been said. Simply put, he is The New Riders of the Purple Sage.  Great songwriter, great singer, leader of the band.  Unfortunately his many health issues will probably mean The High Times Doobie Awards show was the last time we'll see him perform.  I had the pleasure only three times, I can only find evidence of the band playing San Diego once in 71 w/ The Dead, and three shows in 74.  These were the three I saw live, during the Skip Battin era.  Fantastic shows, 3/8/74 my buddies and I were 6" off the stage between Duke and Battin, close enough to speak between songs. This was a venue that held maybe 300.  I would have liked to see some of the other incarnations but I treasure the memories of these very special times of my life. Lets all keep John in our prayers, maybe we can see him perform again.

TOP: Calderone Concert Hall 6/25/76 

BOTTOM:  The High Times Doobie Awards 2002 where the

guys accepted the Lifetime Achievment award.  BB King's NYC.

Dave Torbert's widow Patti accepted his award.

8:26 PM - Sep. 24, 2005 - comments {2} - post comment
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