Week of June 29, 2009
Part 1 24:49
Introduction
Interview: David Nelson
New Riders of the Purple Sage, Where I Come From
WHERE I COME FROM (Radio edit)
Interview: David Nelson
New Riders of the Purple Sage, Where I Come From
BARRACUDA MOON (Radio edit)
Interview: David Nelson
Bob Dylan, Together Through Life
IT’S ALL GOOD
Part 2 32:06
Interview: David Nelson
Interview: Del McCoury
Celebrating 50 Years of Del McCoury
RAIN AND SNOW
Interview: David Nelson
David Nelson 5/6/09 KPFA studio
FENNARIO
Interview: David Nelson
David Nelson 5/6/09 KPFA studio
FIVIO
Interview: David Nelson
New Riders of the Purple Sage, Where I Come From
THEM OLD MINGLEWOOD BLUES
David Nelson is one of Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter’s oldest musical pals. He co-founded the New Riders of the Purple Sage in 1969 with John “Marmaduke” Dawson, with Jerry Garcia as their pedal steel player until Buddy Cage took over in 1972. The New Riders re-formed a few years ago, with Nelson and Cage joined by guitarist Michael Falzarano, bassist Ronnie Penque and drummer Johnny Markowski.
For a decade or so before the return of NRPS, Nelson toiled in grossly undeserved obscurity with the David Nelson Band, which for my money was the best “jam band” on the planet at the time, if your criteria included real group improvisation in the manner established by the Dead. There was no other band out there that could hit that spot, period.
The David Nelson Band still plays from time to time. Just last week my band Rubber Souldiers opened for the DNB at a lovely outdoor gig in Ukiah, California. With Nelson on Fender Telecaster, Barry Sless on pedal steel and guitar, Mookie Siegel on keyboards, John Molo on drums, and the amazing Pete Sears on bass, this band still defines the peak of the genre as far as I’m concerned. (Here’s a funny photo of Nelson and Mookie before the show, and here’s a shot of the sweet setting of the winery gig.)
This interview took place live on KPFA May 6. The New Riders have a new CD, Where I Come From, featuring seven new songs written by Nelson and Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter. Hunter also co-write all but one of the songs on Bob Dylan‘s new album, Together Through Life – the man is on a roll! David brought his acoustic guitar along, and sang the old favorite “Fennario” plus another new Hunter-Nelson song, “Fivio.”
The Grateful Dead Hour is made possible in part this week by:
Nelson Ledges Quarry Park in northeastern Ohio, presenting GratefulFest 10 July 3-6 – three nights of the Dark Star Orchestra, plus Keller Williams, Steve Kimock Crazy Engine, Jememiah Puddleduck with John Molo and Mark Karan, Donna Jean Band, New Riders of the Purple Sage, BoomBox, David Gans, and dozens more. Camping, swimming, fireworks and more are included, complete festival information is available at https://NLQP.com
The Church of Universal Love and Music, presenting Freedom Fest July 4 weekend in southwest Pennsylvania featuring Project/Object performing the Music of Frank Zappa with a synchronized fireworks display, as well as the Willie Waldman Project with special guest Ray White who was Frank Zappa’s guitarist. Complete festival details are available at iLoveChurchMusic.com.