17 Pine Avenue
I have not heard this CD yet, So here is a review from Amazon.com
The band won a Life Time Achievement Award from High Times magazine in 2002 while a frail Dawson suffering from emphysema was present . Shortly after the death of Spencer Dryden, a reconstituted line-up of the New Riders began touring in late 2005. It features David Nelson and Buddy Cage, alongside guitarist Michael Falzarano (formerly of Hot Tuna), bassist Ronnie Penque, and drummer Johnny Markowski who all contribute to this great renaissance to the ground breaking psychedelic act.
It includes 12 brand new songs from the originators of country-delic music (I just made that word up). And, it is like being transported back to those `hazy' days of the summer of love. "Prisoner Of Freedom" not only speaks to the state of the world today, but would have been right at home at Woodstock. Not surprisingly, Robert Hunter who so long ago played with the band and will go down in history as the lyricist for so many great Grateful Dead songs does the same on seven of the tunes here.
"Message In A Bottle' is a decidedly Zydeco/Cajun flavored ode to missing the point of messages but more than that lost chances in life and times. " It might have peace and freedom It might have been peace and freedom, I ain't going to grieve no more..." "Just The Way It Goes" is a Falzarano penned tune, a good-bye to love and what was never meant to be. The title tune is a shuffle that would feel right at home in a Grateful Dead set. "Down For The Ride" is a ballad written by Markowski about love and the hope that it lasts. Are you down for the ride?
"No Time" reminds us that this ain't no time to 'freak' around. The album is filled with great tunes that remind us how good it was back then and how pertinent those bands are still today. The lyrics and the music are still filled with double entendre and innuendo, the message is simple, the trip is fun. The New Riders manage the seemingly impossible. They remained true to the original musical vision and integrity without becoming outdated or archaic in the process. This ain't no nostalgia act, they still have songs with messages for today.
New Riders Of The Purple Sage. Long may they ride. To 17 Pine Avenue or wherever. " When the bullets have left the gun. There ain't no time to duck. Do not ask what must be done. Just drive the 'freakin' truck!".
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