Apr. 20, 2007 - 'New' New Riders still blasting country rock jams

'New' New Riders still blasting country rock jams 

From The News Leader - Staunton, Va.

Bill Kramer
columnist

"The Riders", fans' short-hand for the band's proper moniker, The New Riders of the Purple Sage, re-formed more than a year ago after a performing hiatus, and it's playing at an incredible level these days, featuring seminal members David Nelson rocking on guitar and vocals and Buddy Cage playing his unmistakable steel pedal magic. They are joined by Michael Falzarano, of Hot Tuna fame, on guitar and vocals, Ronnie Penque on bass and Johnny Markowski on drums.

The always-energetic Cage, who in between New Riders' shows hosts a provocative Sirius Satellite radio show and is in demand as a session musician for other artists (among past sessions was his contribution to Bob Dylan's "Blood on the Tracks"), talked with The News Leader about the current Riders, the colorful history of the band and just about anything else on his active, agile mind.

Word is that the band has been playing some great shows these days, something Cage confirms. "Sure, it's getting better and better," he said.

As for the "new" New Riders, Cage says, "If it wasn't working right they wouldn't be there. These guys are doing fantastic. That was the thing from the get-go. We told them that 'This is the New Riders of the Purple Sage. Play what you feel.'"

The Riders historically have been known for some of the most serious and solid jamming in all of music, most particularly in country rock. As Cage points out, "we're always a band looking for a train wreck," explaining the band's improvisational dare.

One important member in the history of the group was co-founder John Dawson, known affectionately as Marmaduke. He wrote many of the band's best-known songs, including "Last Lonely Eagle," "Glendale Train," "Portland Woman" and many more.

While illness has prevented Dawson from playing for some time, Cage says his old friend and comrade "is getting better. He's come around."

The group would love to welcome Dawson back into the fold, if only for a show or two. "We've tried to get him out, but some reason or another it just didn't work out," Cage said.

As for his old sidekick Nelson, Cage remarked, "He just goes on and on. He loves it. He's just an old road dog like me. He's written some new things that are just stunning."

The group has two new releases, a DVD/CD set, "The New Riders of the Purple Sage — Wanted Live at Turkey Trot" and an CD recorded last New Year's Eve by Grateful Dead recordists Bob Matthews and Betty Cantor-Jackson, longtime friends of the Riders.

As many know, the Riders have long been part of the extended Grateful Dead family, and it was that connection that led Cage into the band.

Jerry Garcia played pedal steel in the first incarnation of the group. After hearing Cage's incredible playing with Ian and Sylvia, he told the band, "I can't do it anymore. You need a ringer and there's the ringer"

Garcia and Nelson convinced Cage to join, and the rest is history. He describes his longtime association with the Riders as "a cosmic gift." It was — both for him and the fans.