Customer Reviews

Nils Lofgren

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4 star:		(1)
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After 3 albums with GRIN on Epic Records, Nils Lofgren finally released his first solo album on A&M Records in March 1975 in the USA (SP-4509) and April 1975 in the UK (AMLH 64509). Lofgren handled all Guitars, Lead & Backing Vocals, Keyboards and Organ on his self-titled debut, while WORNELL JONES supplied the Bass and AYNSLEY DUNBAR the Drums. And a little Seventies gem it is too...

First up though are a couple of points worth noting - be careful you get the right version - Amazon UK once wrongly credited this 2007 CD reissue as being by RYKODISC - it's not - it's a HIP-O SELECT release. Second - neither the title on Amazon nor the outside packaging nor the rear inlay mentions the all-important REMASTER word - and MARK OMANN at Universal has remastered the album and to beautiful effect.

"Nils Lofgren" has 12 tracks, 11 originals and a stunning cover of Goffin/King's "Goin' Back" - first unleashed on the world by THE BYRDS on their 1968 album "The Notorious Byrd Brothers". Carole King herself did a version of it on her 1970 debut solo album "Writer: Carole King", but Lofgren's take is altogether different - a sort of funky piano version that is fantastic - making it much more up-tempo and positive (for those interested, the expanded piano version on Lofgren's 1977 live double "Night After Night" is also a stunning highlight).

For such a famously fluid guitar player capable of making the hairs on your arms stand up with his flourishes and deft touch, there's surprisingly little guitar pyrotechnics on the album ("Keith Don't Go" (lyrics above) and "Rock'n'Roll Crook" are notable exceptions). It's more about the songs. The total playing time is only 35:07 minutes too, so the songs are short and sweet - but man are they good...

The slightly fuzzed-up guitar opener "Be Good Tonight" gives way to the band kicking in on "Back It Up". And it's then that you begin to notice the sonic upgrade. Tracks like "I Don't Want To Know", "The Sun Hasn't Set On This Boy Yet" and the pre Mink DeVille street-hustle of "Two By Two" now sound full and clear - the remaster imbibing them with real muscle. You also hear the acoustic guitar overlays in the back of the mix.

On the downside, it's a damn shame that the inlay is merely a gatefold slip of paper with the most rudimentary details (the original album artwork was pretty much a bare-bones affair too) - and worse - there's no tasty outtakes or bonus tracks. An opportunity missed there.

Still - I love this album - I played it to death then and I'll do so again now.

"Nils Lofgren" is a great Seventies LP finally given the sonic upgrade on CD it's needed for decades. Buy it with confidence.

PS: see also my separate reviews for his 2nd and 3rd solo albums - "Cry Tough" (1976) and "I Came To Dance" (1977) - now also reissued by Hip-O Select on remasters

After three commercially thin albums with Grin, and a brief dabble as a sideman with Neil Young, Lofgren combined artistic and commercial success with this 1975 solo debut. Given his reputation as a guitar slinger, listeners might have been surprised to find him an all-around artist (guitarist, singer, songwriter) - similar in many ways to the transition Peter Frampton made from Humble Pie to solo artist. Lofgren's songs, vocals and even his funky piano playing came together with terrific support from the rhythm section of Wornell Jones on bass and Aynsley Dunbar on drums. In addition to Lofgren's originals he covers Goffin & King's "Goin' Back," sounding neither like the Byrds wistful 1968 take, nor King's singer-songwritery 1970 version. This album remains one of the most listenable rock releases of 1975, with memorable lyrics, hook-filled melodies and performances that still sound remarkably fresh. [©2007 hyperbolium dot com]

I remember this coming out on vinyl and playing it to death and then seeing the man live on UK TV (Old Grey Whistle Test) and live on tour. It made one realise that his role in Grin and the support back up role for Neil Young especially on "After the Goldrush" had simply been preparation for a true "rock'n' roll crook" stepping out (as reflected in a song of the same name on this recording).

Congratulations to Hip-O in bringing it out in a pristine sounding CD. Not a bum track but sadly no extras (despite Nils doing many radio and TV recordings in promoting this release, as shown on the separate Hip-O CD recent "Back it up" issue). It all serves to underline that while Nils was clearly ready for his solo stepping out, he was well served in the event by the sure hand of David Briggs (of Neil Young and Spirit production credits) as co-producer and the impeccable support of Wornell Jones on bass and what seemed at the time a strange choice given his Mayall and Zappa conenctions of Aynsley Dunbar (before he sadly succumbed later to MS) but instead showed what an ace session rock drummer he was.

For me Nils has never bettered this release for its overall consistency, live sounding punch and what he does best of delivering great rock'n'roll songs whether ballads (Goffin & King's "Goin' Back") or rockers (the best example being the very topical at the time of release "Keith don't go", about the Stone's drug prosecution difficulties in Canada).

Cannot recommend too highly and hopefully I will not wear my CD out as quickly as I did my original LP!

I am a lover of classic rock and I have the vinyl version of this album. For me, this is one of my all time favorite albums of all time. I could never understand why it was not more popular. I never heard any air play on any radio station. However, in a way that is could because they never spoiled the music by playing it too much. This album is up beat, with good vocals and nice guitar riffs. The album was recorded in 1975, so the sound is only a B. However, the album is an A for music and vocals.

This simply put is one of the best albums made period. Nils never equaled this after of before. It was well received when it was released and I have bought many copies (wore out my vinyl original). Get this one now, it truly is five stars +.

Crisply played guitars,keyboards and clear understandable vocals with great melodies and wonderful lyrics all woven together. Those attributes pretty much are lacking in today's music, but venues like American Idol are trying to bring talent back -- good for them. If you're looking for 1970s pop style rock - this is a good choice.

Nils Lofgren's self-titled debut album is also his best solo release ever. The songs basically run the gamut from pop numbers about love lost and recovered and celebratory anthems to more cautionary attacks on the music business, the latter of which is used as a metaphor for any kind of self-indulgence. Overall, this CD is both celebratory AND cautionary, serving as a reminder that I need to avoid getting into situations that I can't control in order to look good for any number of pretty actresses. The mix of celebration and cautiousness is a clear reflection of both the Italian and Swedish sides of Lofgren's heritage, the latter of which offers evidence that the Vikings preceded Columbus to the New World. Lofgren often got as good as this later (as on "No Mercy", from 1979's excellent NILS), but he never bettered this album.