Philzone.org - Philzone Phansite Community Discussion Board: Setlists and Reviews: Non GD Related Reviews: Archive: The Stone Pony, NRPS, 08/08/08

New Riders Of The Purple Sage
08/08/08, The Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ

I Set: Absolutely Sweet Marie, Lonesome LA Cowboy, I Don’t Know You, Whiskey, Deep Elem Blues ^, Olivia Rose #, Truck Drivin’ Man #, Where I Come From, Sutter’s Mill, Garden Of Eden ^, The Last Time ^, Garden Of Eden ^, Ghost Train Blues

II Set: Henry, One Too Many Stories, Dead Flowers, Higher #, Down The Middle, Panama Red, * Ripple
(^ with Jason Crosby on fiddle and Butch Sochorow on guitar. # with Jason Crosby)

Here we go, another NRPS show at the Stone Pony. Last years show was on August 10th and they tore it up. Like last year I drove down with my two brothers, arriving about 45 minutes before the band came out, just enough time to visit the bar that is out back and outside. A few cold ones after the drive was just what the doctor ordered. Looking around the crowd seemed the same size as last years crowd. However, the crowd would get smaller as the first set progressed. I am guessing that a fair amount of locals must show up for some drinks and then check out early. Going more for the bar/atmosphere then the music, but what do I know. Regardless, a crowd of folks that was appreciative to hear good music on a Friday night. Loud applause after each song.

The NRPS come out and go into Absolutely Sweet Marie. David Nelson never got the fever down in his pocket, instead singing another verse at that peak. Other then that a good start to the night. Lonesome LA Cowboy was done real nice and by Contract they were firing on all cylinders. My brother said he had some sort of revelation during Whiskey while drinking whiskey. Something about a past life. Next Jason Crosby came out with Butch Sochorow and they played the shit out of Deep Elem Blues, many long solos and fine playing throughout. Butch then left the stage and Ronnie sang Olivia Rose. A song I really like. It was cool to hear the fiddle on this song, fitting in the weave great. Truck Drivin’ Man was rocked out - my brothers one song that he always hopes to hear at a NRPS show. He has a Peterbilt with a log bed and grapple on the back. He is a Truck Drivin’ Man. Getting to attend shows with my two brothers is always a blast.

Another one of the new Hunter/Nelson songs was next. Where I Come From and then Sutter’s Mill. It’s the next song that deserves the typed text. Garden Of Eden, The Last Time, Garden Of Eden. If you know anything about the NRPS you know that this song gets out there. Tonight the two guests helped to take it really out there, especially Butch who coaxed out quite a run on the guitar. He was over by Ronnie and they were locked in jamming something sick. Then the Ghost Train Blues kicked out the set in style. What a tune this is. It is getting better and better with each play! This was a long set of music. However, it would make the second set seem short, but I think the tapes will show the overall amount of music was the same as always. Just longer on the front end.

The second set was the weed-smoking-song sandwich. Henry and Panama Red. In between this was a One Too Many Stories, which I missed most of. A good Dead Flowers. A Higher with the fiddle, and Down The Middle. The Ripple encore is always a nice way to call it a night. And a night it was. Good music, good beer, good friends – what else do you need? How about more NRPS at the Mighty High the next day! A short drive to a hotel for three hours of sleep and then….