Nils Lofgren
Album: "Keith Don't Go"- Live at The Town and Country Club,London 1990
Label: Floating World
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.nilslofgren.com

Nils Lofgren is, perhaps, best known as a "go-to" lead guitarist for superstars such as Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen. That is something of a pity because he is also a superb artist in his right, as this 1990 live performance clearly demonstrates.

I first saw Nils live in November 1973 when he was touring with Neil Young, as a member of his band The Santa Monica Flyers, on the unforgettable [for many reasons] "Tonight's The Night" Tour [ the support band for which was a then-little-known country rock band called The Eagles, who were promoting their second album "Desperado"-but I digress].

The performance featured in the album now under review took place in 1990 at the Town and Country Club in London. It was recorded for a television show and the tapes have been remastered for audio release.

Anyone who has seen Nils live, either as a solo artist or as a member of the E Street Band, will know that he puts on a great show and this recording is no exception. He is a stunning guitarist [ Bruce and Neil will, no doubt attest] and has written some great songs, several of which are included on this album.

For this show, Nils was joined by his brother Tommy on keyboards, guitar and vocals, Larry Cragg [guitar and organ], Ronnie Newmeyer [bass and vocals] and last, but not least, his colleague from the E Street Band, Max M. Weinberg on drums.

Typically, Nils opened his set with a couple of acoustic numbers, "Secrets In The Street" and his ode to Keith Richards

"Keith Don't Go", in which he implores his "main inspirer" not to go to Toronto. Both tracks [particularly the latter] show Nils' dazzling virtuosity on acoustic guitar, which is also present in his playing on electric. Just listen to the acoustic solo on "Keith Don't Go" and prepare to be amazed.

Nils plays two covers in the show. The first is a spirited, piano-based version of Goffin/King's "Goin' Back", which was, of course, previously covered to great effect by both Dusty Springfield and The Byrds.

The other cover is a storming version of Lennon and McCartney's "Anytime At All" [from "A Hard Day's Night"]. Clearly, The Beatles were also a great influence on Nils, as well The Stones.

Nils formed his first band Grin in 1968 and brother Tom was also a member. From Grin's 1972 album 1+ 1, we have the epic "Moontears" which features some razor-sharp guitar interplay between the two brothers. Great stuff!

This is followed by the gentler, autobiographical "The Sun Hasn't Set[ On This Boy Yet]" in which Nils describes his early days in the music business and his strength and determination to make it ["Every wound just makes me stronger"]. A typically optimistic song by Nils who is a superbly intuitive songwriter. You only have to listen to "No Mercy", which describes the feelings of regret of a boxer as he fights back tears whilst he destroys his opponent's life ["I wish another could do this thing for me"], to see what a sensitive writer Nils is.

Perhaps Nils' best known song is "Shine Silently", which, I recall, generated a fair amount of airplay at the time of its release. It's a gentle love song to his partner, which has an anthemic quality to it. I understand that it is also frequently used at funerals, as an elegy to a lost loved one. Whilst I doubt that Nils had this in mind when he wrote the song, it shows that, whilst it was not the hit it deserved to be, it has permeated the public consciousness which is the sign of a truly great song.

The set fittingly ends with an uptempo number, the celebratory "I Came To Dance", which features Nils' trademark searing electric guitar in a rousing climax to a fine show.

Nils' music oozes quality and this live album is no exception. If you are already a fan of Nils [you might have gathered that I am], you'll love this. If you are new to his music, this would be an excellent place to start as it captures the excitement of his live shows. After all, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen surely know a great guitar player when they hear one!

Peter Cowley