Nils Lofgren replaced Miami Steve Van Zandt as Bruce Springsteen’s second guitarist in the ’80s. Before that he worked with Neil Young and Crazy Horse in the ’70s. He fronted his own band called Grin before that, who issued a couple of fine albums in 1970/71. That first Grin album is a classic! Nils’ first solo album is another must-have record. Simply titled Nils Lofgren it came out in 1975 and featured several of the tunes which appear on this 2-DVD set of live concerts from Germany’s RockpalastTV series.
Disc one is a show from 1991 when The Boss had just put the E-Street Band to rest for nearly ten years. Nils is joined by his brother Tom (also a member of Grin) and Larry Cragg on guitar, keyboards and vocals, Ronnie Newmyer on bass and vocals and Johnny ‘Bee’ Badanjek on drums for this full concert tour of Lofgren’s career. From “Keith Don’t Go” (his ode to Mr. Richards from the first solo LP) and “See What a Love Can Do” (from the Grin album) up to “Valentine” and “Bein’ Angry” (from ’91′s Silver Lining) he shows off his supple guitar work and engaging personality.
There’s something special about Lofgren as a performer. He can’t stand still, and is known for doing trampoline flips while in concert! He is a true showman. This kind of excitement is hard to capture on the TV screen, and Rockpalast was never the most visually inventive programme, but for musical content, they were second to none.
The second disc includes two shorter appearances. The first is from 1976 when Lofgren was touring his second solo album Cry Tough. His band on this one is brother Tom Lofgren, Bobby Manriquez (guitar, vocals), Scott Ball (bass, vocals), and Mike Zack (drums, vocals). The Cry Tough album is featured, but he also offers “Like Rain” from Grin and three tunes from Nils Lofgren. The other show is from 1979 and showcases Wornell Jones (bass), Tommy Thomas (keyboards), along with Tom Lofgren and Mike Zack. An interesting comparison can be made between the shows as Nils plays “Keith Don’t Go,” “Cry Tough” and “Back It Up” in all three shows. He’s a talented writer, and guitarist and the band[s] are solid. It’s nice to see a band put effort into the vocal parts, especially when they rock like Lofgren’s group does.
Television is not the greatest medium for live rock and roll, but these historical films are a long sight better than whatever’s on the House & Garden network! Look for Nils Lofgren: Cry Tough and see a fine journeyman musician at his best!
(Eagle Vision, 2010)
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