New Riders Of The Purple Sage

Lyceum

Omnivore, 2022

8/10

Listen to Lyceum

A live album from the legendary psychedelic country rockers New Riders Of The Purple Sage, this set documents the last time members of The Grateful Dead would accompany the band on these classic tracks.

“Leaving On Her Mind” opens the listen with some warm twang amid the scrappy drums and rugged melodies, and “Whatcha Gonna Do” follows with spirited guitar guiding the folk influenced climate.

Towards the middle of the performance, the shuffling and energetic “Glendale Train” seems like it could soundtrack a campfire perfectly, while “Duncan And Brady” flows with a cozy, rugged yet tuneful approach.

Making our way towards the end, “Dirty Business” is a psyche-friendly and cautious set highlight, and “Honky Tonk Women” exits the listen with plenty of jam band flavor amid the honky tonk fun.

The set is mixed from the original tapes by Jeffrey Norman and mastered by Dave Glasser at the Grammy Award winning Airshow studio, and it documents the songwriting of John Dawson perfectly, captures Jerry Garcia on pedal steel and Mickey Hart (also of The Grateful Dead) on drums.

Travels well with: Damn Tall Buildings- Sleeping Dogs; Chicago Farmer- Flyover Country