Lofgren, Nils: UK 2015 Face The Music Tour

He has played on some of Neil Young's classic solo albums like Tonight's the Night and After the Gold Rush (he was just eighteen at the time), toured with Crazy Horse in 1971 and has been an important part of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band for the last three decades as well as playing on a number of Springsteen albums. Nils Lofgren has also had a prolific solo career starting with his 1975 self-titled debut and continuing with his latest live release UK 2015 Face The Music Tour.

The seasoned veteran set out in January 2015 to tour the UK with only Greg Varlotta at his side. Lofgren (vocals, guitars, keyboards, lever harp) and Varlotta (vocals, keyboards, guitar, trumpet, tap dance percussion) turn in an excellent acoustic/electric performance that had been absent the previous three years. The fourteen tracks span his entire career starting with a stripped down version of "Too Many Miles" and its swirling acoustic guitar before settling into a simple piano groove with Lofgren's heartfelt vocals and stabbing electric leads. Upbeat acoustic rhythms highlight the bluesy "New Holes In Old Shoes" along with some invigorating lead guitar. The beautifully sweeping ballad "Lost A Number" takes us back to the '70s and his original band Grin whereas "Walkin' Nerve" is another upbeat blues flavoured piece laced with Varlotta's outstanding trumpet work. One of the prettiest and genuine tunes is the Clarence Clemons' tribute "Miss You "C"" and its gorgeous acoustic melody. Another highlight has to be "Girl In Motion" with fabulous guitar from both players.

The recording quality is also excellent and sounded great on my Monster DNA Pro 2.0 headphones with exceptional clarity and musical separation.

Judging from this set of tunes the Face The Music Tour was an outstanding event and certainly worth owning for fans of Nils Lofgren or classic rock in general. Highly recommended.

Track Listing:
1. Too Many Miles (8:16)
2. New Holes In Old Shoes (4:31)
3. Lost A Number (3:43)
4. Walkin' Nerve (4:10)
5. Miss You "C" (3:09)
6. Girl In Motion (8:30)
7. I Don't Wanna Talk About It (5:17)
8. Rusty Gun (2:33)
9. Black Books (6:42)
10. Goin' Back (4:39)
11. The Sun Hasn't Set (2:50)
12. Like Rain (6:39)
13. Mud In Your Eye (3:12)
14. No Mercy (4:22)
15. Shine Silently (7:17)

Added: January 12th 2016
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 1980
Language: english

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