Neil Young's biography, "Waging Heavy Peace"

By Jack Brummet, Music Ed.

I just finished Neil Young's autobiography.  Strange, idiosyncratic, amazingly heartfelt, prismatic, pained, hopeful, and passionate.   One thing that really struck me is how, despite everything he has accomplished, Buffalo Springfield (even as briefly as they lasted) was maybe the core music experience of his life, and an experience he wants to relive.  It always seemed like CSNY was a millstone around his neck (and God knows, they went through a lot of garbage) but he truly loves each one of those guys, and goes out of his way to show that.   I go back and forth on his book when I compare it to other rock autobios, but it is utterly fascinating, and not surprisingly, he breaks the mold.



 I like Buffalo Springfield too. But I'd rather Smell The Horse:




Or hear the fellas...

----o0o---

Nils Lofgren and Grin perform "Rusty Gun"

By Jack Brummet, Music Editor

I heart Nils Lofgren. He started the band Grin not long after he worked on Neil Young's first album with Crazy Horse.  Grin never got any traction and although every one of their releases was critically acclaimed, their records stiffed, but me and my friendos latched on and loved them.  After Grin fell apart, Nils did some solo work, and then joined forces with that mighty juggernaut Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, where he has played every since.  He joined Young's band when he was 17, and played piano and guitar on After The Gold Rush and on the album I consider Young's masterpiece, Tonight's The Night.  I love this guy.  I think I need to post a clip of some of his E Street stage antics (e.g., performing a somersault on stage whilst playing a solo).  The Boss and the E Street band are back on the road this summer, and will probably be lining up some fall dates stateside. . .

On this song, it must be Nils playing the accordion.  I know he learned to play one when he was five years old., and studied it for ten years.  He's been a member of The E Street Band, with their ups and downs, since 1984 (he replaced Steven Van Zandt [a/k/a The Sopranos Silvio Dante], although Little Steven returned and now he AND Nils are permanent member of the band).  TMI?

---o0o---

Nils Lofgren does a somersault playing a guitar solo with Springsteen's E Street Band

In this awesome video clip, Nils Lofrgen does a somersault while playing a guitar solo with Springsteen's E Street Band on tour this summer.
Now, remember, Nils is of my vintage, a spry 57 years old. Not bad, friendo! During his solo years (1974-) Nils would play guitar while doing flips on a trampoline.

Nils was in Grin in the early 70's, played with Neil Young on two of his most important albums (and at various other times since), and ended up in The E Street Band in 1984 with Bruce Springsteen, taking Little Steven's place, Clarence Clemmons, Patti Scialfa, & Max Weinberg, etc. The Boss , of course broke up E Street in 1989. He brought them back together in 1999 and both Steven Van Zandt and Nils were back in the band, as they are today.


---o0o---

Nils Lofgren plays Back It Up

This is a YouTube slide-show video a/k/a "slideo" of a great Nils Lofgren tune, Back It Up. Nils Lofgren formed a great power pop band, Grin, in the early 1970's. He also played on some early Neil Young albums, and has been a long-time member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band.


---o0o---

Video: an incredible performance of "Hey Hey My My" by Neil Young and Crazy Horse

You can smell the Horse in this tune. This is an incredibly unhinged, grunged-out version of "Hey Hey My My" with over-the-top, twisted guitar work and feedback/distortion. If you're a fan of the Horse, you'll like this one. And even if you're not, you should watch and listen anyway.

The performance is from the 2001 Fuji Rock Festival in Japan.


---o0o---