Where I Come From (album)

Critical reception

On Allmusic, William Ruhlmann wrote, "But the heart of the album — seven songs out of 12 — is the work of the new songwriting team of Nelson and Robert Hunter.... Hunter comes up with his typically aphoristic, imagistic, and vernacular words (particularly on the title song) and Nelson matches them with catchy, country-tinged melodies that the band plays in frisky country-rock roadhouse arrangements. This may be San Francisco music, but Bakersfield doesn't seem far away as the guitars go twangy and Cage plays down the weepy side of the pedal steel in favor of something more stinging. These New Riders jam a bit more than the original ensemble, and they also rock a bit more."

On Jambands.com, Brian Robbins said, "Forget the 40 years of history; forget the dues paid and the groundwork laid for what came to be known as the jamband scene; forget the family tree whose roots are tightly entwined with those of the Dead; just forget all that stuff and throw on a copy of the New Riders of the Purple Sage Where I Come From. Pretend it's the debut album from a new band and listen. Just listen. You know what? It's good, damn good as a matter of fact. No need to give anyone a free ride based on their laurels; the New Riders are making some of the best music of their career. This is no oldies act. Kids, you want songs? You got em. You want jams? You got those, too."

In Glide magazine, Doug Collette wrote, "Fronted by David Nelson on guitar and vocals with Buddy Cage on pedal steel, the chemistry of the current NRPS goes further than just the band personnel. Robert Hunter collaborates with Nelson on a half dozen cuts and the long-time Grateful Dead lyricist demonstrates an elegant command of language on the title song, while the band's playing on a close to eight minute track is articulate in its own way.... NRPS 2009 can excel when they improvise, as on the ten-minute plus of 'Ghost Train Blues', and the group would do well to jam more often and bring in more cover material, such as the traditional 'Them Old Minglewood Blues', to complement their originals."

Where I Come From

1. "Where I Come From" (David Nelson, Robert Hunter) – 7:40
2. "Big Six" (Nelson, Hunter) – 4:16
3. "Barracuda Moon" (Nelson, Hunter) – 7:56
4. "Higher" (Johnny Markowski, Bobby Driscoll) – 6:00
5. "Down the Middle" (Nelson, Hunter) – 5:33
6. "Them Old Minglewood Blues" (traditional, arranged by Nelson) – 5:01
7. "Something in the Air Tonight" (Michael Falzarano) – 3:56
8. "Olivia Rose" (Ronnie Penque) – 5:23
9. "Blues Barrel" (Nelson, Hunter) – 5:58
10. "Ghost Train Blues" (Nelson, Hunter) – 10:36
11. "Carl Perkins Wears the Crown" (Falzarano) – 4:33
12. "Rockin' with Nona" (Nelson, Hunter) – 6:57

Where I Come From: Radio Mixes & Live Bonus

1. "Where I Come From (Nelson, Hunter) – 4:20 – radio mix
2. "Barracuda Moon" (Nelson, Hunter) – 4:09 – radio mix
3. "Higher" (Markowski, Driscoll) – 4:16 – radio mix
4. "Pour House Jelly" with Professor Louie (New Riders of the Purple Sage) – 4:30 – sound check at The Pour House, 9/18/07
5. "Let It Grow" with Professor Louie (Falzarano) – 12:33 – sound check at Shawnee Cave, 9/30/06
6. "Louisiana Lady" (John Dawson) – 5:04 – recorded live at Turkey Trot, 7/30/06
7. "Peggy-O" (traditional, arranged by Nelson) – 6:12 – recorded live at Turkey Trot, 7/30/06
8. "Truck Driving Man" (Buck Owens) – 6:23 – recorded live at Turkey Trot, 7/30/06
9. "Dirty Business" (Dawson) – 18:08 – recorded live at Turkey Trot, 7/30/06

New Riders of the Purple Sage

Additional musicians

Production