The Best of New Riders of the Purple Sage

Editors’ Notes For the curious country rocker or the casual fan, The Best of New Riders of the Purple Sage delivers on its title. For the more dedicated disciples of New Riders, we have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that for some reason, the epically funny (and catchy as hell) "Lonesome L.A. Cowboy" is strangely absent here. But the good news is that this updated compilation comes with five awesome bonus tracks, the best of which includes an alternate version of "Linda" with a psychedelic pedal steel. And the live version of "She's No Angel" boasts some lightning-fast picking that almost rivals the skills of the late, great Sneaky Pete Kleinow from the Flying Burrito Brothers. Songs like the harmonious "I Don't Know You" and of course the Riders' reefer-themed hit "Panama Red" prove that the band was much more than Northern California's answer to the Burritos. If you dig the classic boogie numbers, they've got you covered with a danceable take on Ray Charles' "I Don't Need No Doctor" as well as a hip-shaking take on Robert Hunter's "Kick In the Head."