Last Friday, April 19, Omnivore Recordings and New Riders Of The Purple Sage released their new live album: "Hempsteader: Live At The Calderone Concert Hall, Hempstead, New York, June 25, 1976," produced by NRPS archivist Rob Bleetstein.
Alongside the record, the band also shared a radio and playlist-ready mix of their live performance of "Panama Red (420 Version)."
"'Panama Red' is back in town!," exclaims Bleestein. "Just in time for 4/20, cannabis enthusiasts can jump on this super hot live edition of the Peter Rowan written classic from the New Riders of the Purple Sage."
About the NRPS Band and Their 'Hempsteader' Live Album
Emerging out of the burgeoning San Francisco music scene in 1969, the NRPS band quickly became one of the hottest musical acts of the time, bringing fame to its original lineup comprising several Grateful Dead members.
By 1971, the rock and roll group released their debut album to great critical acclaim, with the record peaking at #39 on the Billboard Charts' Top 200 list. Two years later, in 1973, the band released their "The Adventures Of Panama Red" record that reached RIAA Gold status.
Capturing the band's apparent appeal at the time, the new live album directly channels NRPS at their peak in 1976, as they performed a momentous set list at the Calderone Concert Hall in Hempstead, New York shortly after recording their MCA Records-published "New Riders" record.
The late John "Marmaduke" Dawson, leader and co-founder of the NRPS, takes center stage in the new collection, specifically with his fan-favorite originals like "Henry," "Portland Woman" and "Glendale Train."
The band's performance of "Portland Woman," in particular, is one the highlights of the concert, as it sees members stretching out the track alongside guitarist David Nelson and pedal steel guitarist Buddy Cage in a "jamming session" that ascends to greater and greater heights, all in one song.
The band also explores renditions of songs by artists such as Delbert McClinton, Hazel Dickens, Jack Tempchin, Loudon Wainwright III, and Chuck Berry. Of note are their iterations of the Otis Redding classic "Hard To Handle" and The Rolling Stones' "Dead Flowers."
"Hempsteader" is now available in CD form by clicking here and through high-resolution digital streaming on all major platforms. The physical copy also contains photos and liner notes provided by Bleetstein.
Conversely, you can sample the album's tracks right below.
