Old House Journal October 2019

This 5-CD set features nearly two-dozen songs never before officially released by the New Riders 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 different venues on 9 different 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 Dave Torbert on bass.

Reviewing Halliday’s previous recorded work with guitarist Corey Christianson, Billy Kerr remarked in “Saxophone Journal,” “His saxophone playing and his music are at the highest levels, great dark, fat sound, wonderful time and feel, as well as a clean, fast technique . . . I’m sure he could play any kind of music.”