.....The Purple Sage

This forthcoming 5 CD set features nearly 2 dozen songs never before officially released by the New Riders Of The Purple Sage or the Grateful Dead, including several New Riders’ originals from a largely undocumented period in the band’s evolution.

The performances begin on Jerry Garcia’s 27th birthday at the aptly named Bear’s Lair in Berkeley and captures performances from 4 venues on 9 nights.

The band consists of John “Marmaduke” Dawson (guitar, vocals), Jerry Garcia (pedal steel), David Nelson (electric guitar), Mickey Hart (drums), and Bob Matthews and/or Dave Torbert on bass.

Highlights also include 9 songs with guest artist Bob "Ace” Weir and 2 tracks with Will Scarlett on harmonica.

This is history unvarnished, but it’s pure and spirited and filled with so many moments that will touch the hearts of N.R.P.S. and G.D. fans.

Mastered from the original tapes captured by legendary Grateful Dead soundman, Owsley Stanley, a/k/a Bear, who is known for the purity of his Sonic Journal recordings.

These tapes were transferred and restored to the most exacting audiophile standards, using state of the art plangent processes techniques to remove subtle timing distortions created by recording and playback devices.

The mastering was done by Jeffrey Norman at Mockingbird Mastering, long time collaborator with the Grateful Dead and Owsley Stanley.

The 16 pg booklet includes rare and previously unreleased vintage photographs and liner notes based on recent interviews with David Nelson and Bob Weir.

Original cover art by Nina Stanley, Owsley’s daughter, based on a design by Starfinder Stanley, Owsley’s son.