The Loner: Nils Sings Neil Young

I have to be honest....I don't own a single Neil Young album! While I've always respected him as an artist, there was just something about his voice that I couldn't get into. That was one of the reasons I held off buying this disc...even as a decades-long Nils Lofgren fan (going all the way back to the A&M days!), I was worried that there might somehow be more Young on the album than Lofgren. Well, nothing could be further from the truth! Unlike, say, Steve Earle's new TOWNES album, THE LONER does everything a good tribute album is supposed to do...it A) briliantly showcases the artist being celebrated, while B) allowing the artist doing the celebrating to remain true to themselves and "speak" in their own voice. This album honors the power of lyrics more than almost any album in the last 40 years, and Lofgren does it brilliantly by backing himself solely with either only acoustic guitar or piano. This minimalist approach allows Lofgren to soar, resulting in an effort that's just nakedly beautiful and honest. In honor of that honesty and beauty, I'm going to do something a little different...rather than "review" each song, I'm going to comment on my favorite thing about each cut. Here goes! I've loved "Birds" ever since I heard Valerie Carter's lovely version. Here, the muted piano and Lofgren's plaintive statement of "It's over" are both heartbreaking and captivating. A great way to kick things off! "Long May You Run" has an easy-going, folksy vibe to it. Lofgren takes an iconic track and strips it down to it's core, turning it into a universal wish/tribute to and for good times and good luck, no matter which way the roads have forked. Gorgeous! "Flying On The Ground" is one of my favorite cuts...Lofgren's vocal is just killer, but it's the power of the lyrics here that really got me: "But if crying and holding on/And flying on the ground is wrong/Than I'm sorry to let you down/But you're from my side of town/And I miss you." There's something about Lofgren's lead vocal on "I Am A Child" that just slays me...sweet, innocent, honest, it just anchors the track in a way that's absolutely breath-taking. And, once again, the lyrics are particularly poignant. Another gem! Lofgren's piano playing takes center stage on "Only Love Can Break Your Heart"...it transports you to another time and place (picture a pub or saloon around the turn of the 20th century). Toss is an angelic vocal, and you have a real beauty. There's no denying "Harvest Moon" is an absolute classic, but, once again, Lofgren manages to make it his own while still honoring it. His guitar playing is simple, yet elegant, while his vocal has a relaxed lilt to it. And I LOVE the line "Because I'm still in love with you/I want to see you dance again!" "Like A Hurricane" is sheer poetry: "Once I thought I saw you/In a crowded, hazy bar/Dancing on the light/From star to star/Far across the moonbeam/I know that's who you are/I saw your brown eyes turning once to fire." Doesn't get much better than that! The disc's title track has a bit more of an edge to it...Lofgren's vocal has a bit more grit to it, while his playing seems a tad...harder. All of this adds up to a nice balance, with "The Loner" being one of the disc's centerpieces. "Don't Be Denied" is probably the album's most linear story/song, but it's the cut's early lyrics that are the most powerful: "When we got to Winnipeg/I checked into school/I wore white bucks on my feet/When I learned the Golden Rule/The punches came fast and hard/Laying on my back in the school yard." Powerful stuff. There's a bluesy, boozy quality to "World On A String." Lofgren's guitar just tumbles out of the speakers, in a way that seems both effortless and other-worldly. He is, without a doubt, one of the most gifted ~ and important ~ guitarists in the history of rock. "Mr. Soul" has a nice sinister groove to it. The vocals snake in and out, with a touch of a growl to them. They're layered over a sparse arrangement in a way that really complements both. The saying "Less is more" comes to mind here. Things take a 180 degree turn with "Winterlong", a delicate piano ballad. A heartfelt vocal, lovely piano runs and strong lyrics ("I've waited for you Winterlong/You seem to be where I belong") all come together in an understated, yet dazzling, rush. "On The Way Home" has a nice, earthy vibe to it. In an almost conversational manner, Lofgren let's the song just spill out. The chords chug along, the words paint a vivid picture: "When the dream came/I held my breath with my eyes closed." Another winner! "Wonderin'" showcases the many sides and facets of Young's work...you have a spirited, almost jolly, barroom piano arrangement, coupled with darkly somber lyrics ("I been walkin' all night long/My footsteps made me crazy")....and it all works! That's true artistry! Things end on a strong note with "Don't Cry No Tears." Lofgren delivers a stellar lead vocal, while his finger-picking is sharp, precise and fluid. Once again, the track just flows, sort of like musical mercury. VERY nice! But that's just par for the course as far as this album goes. Extending SO far beyond my expectations, this is, without a doubt, one of the best albums of the year thus far, as well as one of the best tribute/covers albums EVER. Not only do we get to experience/appreciate the sheer poetry of Neil Young's work, but, with THE LONER, we also get treated to the absolute artistry and talents of Nils Lofgren. And that's a one/two punch that can't be beat! (As with all my reviews, I am docking the disc half a star for not including the lyrics, a MAJOR misstep here!).

There are many artists that have a deep fondness for the music of Neil Young. Many have covered his songs. It is quite an impressive list. One of them is Nils Lofgren. Now Mr Lofgren has a long history with Mr Young. He played piano on After the Goldrush, He was the guitar player on Tonight's the Night and Trans (along with the tour). Needles to say that He was there at key musical moments. This collection of cover tunes comes from and inside knowledge of the artist and an ability to infuse his own personality into the interpretation. You get the best of both worlds. This is a fine recording and a joy to listen to. I would recommend this to all of the fans of Nils Lofgren and of Neal Young. However, this recording could be appreciated by a wider audience.

Nils is a remarkable, always enjoyable talent. On this collection, he manages to both soften and expand Young's songs through a graceful reinterpretation. If some of the ferocity is occasionally submerged, Nils' adept & singular guitar sound brings out the full colors of his former bandmate's familiar earlier compositions, lyrics & all.This is an excellent listen, and should stay in regular listening rotation...

Nils Lofgren is a superb musician, in many cases he takes Neil Young to a different level, he takes great songs, adds his own interpretation and in some cases, especially Like a Hurricane, makes them better. I am a huge Neil Young fan and haven't always appreciated covers, but this is a great CD, I listen to it often. My only complaint is the version of Like a Hurricane on the CD does not have the extended guitar solo (acoustic) as on a YouTube video, which has become my favorite all time guitar solo. Imagine using an acoustic guitar to some how be true to the solo on the American Stars and Bars original by Neil Young. Thanks Nils!!!!!

love nils as a singer, and guitarist. why the slow ,quiet . when i think of neil young i think loud / quiet, the contrast nils the contrast. i think it left to much out.

As a long time Neil Young fan, I was interested to hear this CD after finding out that Nils performed on the classic Harvest album. After listening to it, ts quite evident that Nils wanted to honor Mr. Young with this complilation. It is a first rate recording and a worthy addition to any Neil Young fans collection. Thank God XM Deep Tracks is out there promoting projects like this these days. The crap programming on the free radio is severly lacking when albums like this cannot get any air play due to demographics. This album is worth a listen by any real RR fan.

Nil's is one of the best guitar players around and a long-time touring professional that has played with Neil on and off for over 30 years. This is a great album of Neil covers. His "Like A Hurricane" is great acoustic version.

Nils nails it

Better than you might expect for an album of covers. Great songs by Neil covered with respect and reverence by longtime friend and fellow traveller Nils. Quite good!

This is a beautifully put together collection of Neil Young covers by one of his long-term collaboratorsMy previous experience of Lofgren's music had me mark him down as a rocker with the ability to pen a good tune and the judgement to keep the guitar pyrotechnics (just) on the right side of tasteful - Cry Tough is a personal favourite, albeit some of the lyrics are of its age (i.e a bit misogynistic - Mick Jagger would have been proud).This however is very different. It's from an older, wiser Lofgren, and is just him accompanying himself on either acoustic guitar or piano. This means every song is sung as a ballad, even the ones recorded by Young as rockers e.g. (Like a Hurricane, Don't Cry No Tears). It's testament to Logren's sensitive delivery and the quality of Young's songwriting that the whole thing feels natural and of a piece.Lofgren's voice isn't as powerful or distinctive as Young's but with the simple backing the whole thing works very well as a gentler take on some very impressive songs from a master songwriter.

Die neue CD "The Loner-Nils sings Neil" von Nils Lofgren ist eine stille Verneigung vor seinem Weggefährten und Musikkollegen Neil Young. Beide haben eine lange Karriere nachzuweisen und beide sind sich schon oftmals über den Weg gelaufen um bei dem einen oder anderem Projekt des jeweils anderen mit zu spielen.Auf der neuen CD nun sind ausschließlich nur Sogs von Neil Young enthalten,die Nils Lofgren auf angenehme und vor allem ruhige Art und Weise neu interpretiert hat.Klassiker wie "Birds","Harvest Moon" oder "Like A Hurricane" erleben zwar keine Frischzellenkur,aber nur durch den Einsatz von Gitarre und Klavier,wird eine intime Stimmung erzeugt,die den Songs komplett neue Facetten abgewinnt.Mein Anspieltip:"DonŽt Be Denied",der durch ein hervorragendes Intro überzeugt."The Loner" könnte als Unplugged-Album durchgehen,so sparsam aber punktgenau sind die Songs produziert.Und Nils Lofgren bei seiner Lieblingsbeschäftigung Gitarre spielen zu zu hören ist immer ein Genuß!!Für Lofgren/Young-Fans ein absolutes must-have!!! Für diejenigen die sich gerne Abseits des Mainstreams aufhalten und sich gerne Zeit nehmen beim Musik hören eine wunderbare Entdeckung!!!

ニルスのアルバムで且つニール・ヤングの曲ばかり。まず同じようにガンガン行くのかと思いきや全てアコスチックまたはピアノ。はじめ期待はずれかと思いましたが、聴いているうちにニルスのこのアルバムに対する思いが理解できました。なぜこのアルバムを録音しか・・・。

I am a big fan of Neil Young starting from back in his Buffalo Springfield daze (although not so much that I think he can do no wrong by any means), but could it be possible that Nils does Neil better than Neil? Buy it and find out, I assure you wont be dissapointed. I'd give it six stars. Great voice, great acoustuc guitar, great piano work! Enuff said.