Customer Reviews

Cry Tough

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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Nils Lofgren's self-titled 1975 debut album on A&M Records made all the right noises for the ex Crazy Horse and Grin lead guitar player - but its 1976 follow up "Cry Tough" really made everyone sit up and take notice (especially for his astonishing fretwork on the title track). But what makes this release so exciting for fans who've waited decades for a decent version of the whole album on CD - is the massively improved sound. It's a new ERICK LABSON REMASTER and is sparkling in its sound quality (has over 900 mastering and audio restoration credits to his name and is one of Universal's top engineers).

"Cry Tough" was Lofgren's 2nd album released April 1976 on A&M SP-4573 in the USA and A&M AMLH 64573 in the UK - and this CD is a straightforward 37:02 minute reissue of that LP (Hip-O Select B0013205-02). Released on their own site in September, it received a late October 2009 release date in the States (no UK release date as yet).

The original album had the musician and recording details on the back sleeve - here it's wisely been taken off that unreadable 5" space and put into a 4-way fold out inlay where you can clearly work out who played what on where. Produced by AL KOOPER, the band featured Nils and his brother Tom Lofgren on Lead and Rhythm Guitar, Wornell Jones on Bass with the Drums shared by Jim Gordon and Aynsley Dunbar. "It's Not A Crime" also featured some great backing singers - Immediate label soul singer P.P. ARNOLD, BUDDY MILES (of the Electric Flag) and CLAUDIA LENNEAR (who inspired "Brown Sugar" by The Rolling Stones).

The album opens on an absolute high - the speaker spanning keyboards of Al Kooper on the title track "Cry Tough" - a slinky, funky guitar-layered rock gem. To this day the guitar solo in the later part of the song is a truly awesome thing - building, building all the time - it hits you with these fabulous licks and pinging harmonics that literally make you double take. And best of all - it's five minute duration now sounds just HUGE. Other highlights include the mean sounding acoustics of "Share A Little", the opener of Side 2 and the drums and upright bass of Scott Ball on "Mud In Your Eye" - so clear. The warmest sounding track is the lovely "Can't Get Closer (WCGC)" and the only moment of weakness is the crass lyrics of "Jailbait" which don't sit well with anything. The remaster has also brought out the piano and drums on "Incidentally... It's Over" and the only cover on the album - Ed Townsend's "For Your Love" - now has that floating organ bit to the fore, the blistering guitars and galloping bass parts towards the end of the track all sound lucid too - but in a subtle way.

Downsides - it's shame there isn't more in the foldout inlay - which settles for what it can get away with - and there could have been some outtakes or even demos. But alas...

To sum up - it's not all genius of course, but the good tracks have lasted and still thrill to this day. And although Hip-O Select's version of "Cry Tough" isn't anything other than a straightforward reproduction of the original album - it's a big thumb's up because of the top new sound quality.

Recommended.

PS: I've also reviewed the 2007 Hip-O Select remaster of his solo debut "Nils Lofgren" (1975) and his 3rd album for the label "I Came To Dance". There's also a TAG above for both Erick Labson and Hip-O Select to see more of his work and their titles.

PPS: check out his sublime guitar-playing on "Shot At You" from 1992's "Crooked Line" and "Driftin' Man" on the double 2003 live set "Nils Lofgren Band Live" - blissful stuff

I bought the LP when it came out and just wore it out,for years I could not find a copy on compact disc.now that I have it,it's even better than i remember.most of the songs are foot tappin' air guitar playin' fun.this edition has remastered sound and i give it a ten!!!

It's great to have this music available on cd! I am a big fan of Nils and have been since his early work with Grin, Crazy Horse, and Neil Young back around the "After The Gold Rush" album days. Nils released this music after his first solo album, "Nils Lofgren", which has a fantastic ode to Keith Richards called "Keith Don't Go", and another great album shortly after this called "I Came To Dance" that was released around 1976. The songs are great, his guitar playing on that Strat is off the charts, and his singing is so joyful it's contagious. This cd, along with the albums Nils released right before it and right after it, are classics, and among the most solid rock'n'roll albums anybody's released back to back to back. I love them, so it has to be five stars. If you like rock'n'roll you can't go wrong with any of these three albums. There's a reason Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen both picked this guy to play with! Listen to these and find out why.

this is the only Nils Lofgren album i've heard. I first heard it in the late seventy's and liked it alot, the main song that comes to mind is the Yard Birds cover song- "for your love". It's been that long since I've heard it, so i can't remember the names of the songs, but the whole album is good. If you find it or buy it. Hold on to it ! I have searched high and low, so far I've seen it only on LP, but most recent I found an import for- $150.00 clams, Anyway i recomend this album to rockers who know there music. This album is very unique in my opinion. I don't like Bruce Spring#$@!)&^, but i do like Nils Lofgren.

most know nils as the mostly bass player for bruce which doesn't scratch the tip of the iceberg of sound from this great guitarrist with a wonderfull voice. a favorite album from mid 70's that was lost for a long time. had it on 8 track which broke. I also always would request my fave song, share a little, whenever I saw nils live. he never plays it ( emmotional reasons? ). a great album everyone should know. my personal nils lofgren favorite. you've probably heard a song or two off greatest sets. could only find lp , bought it anyway. I like cd's for covienience, but really lp's have superior sound quality and mix in my opinion. enjoy if you can.