for this hard-rockin’ anthem to flaunt its magic. “Playing with Fire” continues to keep my blood pumping at full capacity with its furious beats, and wailing guitar licks. Deman’s vocals are fear- less and powerful. The intoxicating and in- escapable groove on “My Crazy” rapidly latches its claws right in and holds on tight. At the core, this is pure delta blues lit up with gasoline. It sounds fantastic. The two remastered tracks are “Don’t
Speak Too Soon” from Rhythm ‘n’ Rust and “Ride On” from Voodoo Chicken Shack, both of which sound amazing. The whole EP is a terrific listen, and will remain on heavy rotation in my player. I highly recommend it.
-Phillip Smith (
https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/)
New Riders of the Pur- ple Sage Thanksgiving in New York City (Omnivore) How much do we love
these cosmic cowboys? The New Riders were a totally
original sound during the early 1970’s, with the Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia on pedal steel guitar and John “Marmaduke” Dawson on lead vocals. By 1972, when this recording was made, Garcia had left to devote all of his time to the Dead, and was replaced by Buddy Cage, a top-flight pedal steel virtuoso. After opening countless shows for the
Grateful Dead, New Riders released two ac- claimed albums in 1972, Powerglide and Gypsy Cowboy, and become an in demand live act. On November 23, 1972, the band played two shows at the Academy of Music, and the late show resulted in these awesome recordings. Classic Dawson tunes like “Last Lonely
Eagle” and “Portland Woman” are performed, along with some good ol’ bluegrass in “She’s No Angel” and kicking R&B (“Willie and the Hand Jive,” “I Don’t Need No Doctor.”) Guitarist David Nelson is hotter than a Mexican lunch and bassist Dave Torbet is totally in the pocket with drum- mer Spencer Dryden.
The Thanksgiving show in NYC became a
tradition over the next three years, bringing the massive number of fans from the Northeast, es- pecially New York, who cheered and danced and twirled to the music. It was always a family affair when the New Riders came to town, and one lis- ten to Thanksgiving in New York City proves the fact.
The double CD and 3-vinyl LP set were re-
leased on Black Friday. A serious treat for Dead- heads and Sageheads worldwide. Mighty fine.
-Michael Buffalo Smith
Ronnie Godfrey Shades of Blue Ronnie Godfrey is one
ultra-talented guy. The key- board player, singer and songwriter continues to pro-
duce fine work, and his latest is a shining exam- ple of his skills. Ronnie and his brother Rickey were both born blind in Greenville, SC, and both went on to create a fantastic body of work, both together and individually. In the late ‘70s the Godfrey brothers were members of the Capitol Records recording group, Garfeel Ruff. A few years later, Ronnie relocated to Nashville and be- came a prolific songwriter and session musician. Godfrey’s new release rocks like a wild
man, from the opening of “Boom Boom” to the swamp rocker “Jukin,” my kind of music! The band is tighter than Oprah’s belt, with screaming guitar, pounding drums and killer harmonica. Ronnie slows it down of the tune
“Jezebel,” the story of a woman who does a man wrong. Outstanding soul-soaked backing vocals underscore the passion of the singer. The CD is loaded with well-written, amazing songs that beg to be played time and time again. Songs like “Ashes in the Rain,” “Love Me Too,” and “Fallin’ in Love with the Blues.” “Devil in a Box” is a great rocker, all about a woman who is jealous of her man’s guitar. There’s some fine guitar playing on the track as well. “Blue Wearin’ Black” slows things down for a piano-based about a man losing the woman he loves, and “She Partied Til She Was Purple,” “My Dark Destroyer,” and “If Love Was a Bullet” (featuring some beautiful piano
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