Comment of the Moment: Nils Lofgren's Guitar in Crazy Horse Band

Nils Lofgren w/ NYCH
NYCH (Neil Young + Crazy Horse) -
Warnor Theater, Fresno, CA - May 2, 2018
Photo by Hounds that Howl
(Click photo to enlarge)

The musical careers of Nils Lofgren and Neil Young have intersected many, many times over the past 5 decades.

The Comment of the Moment is on Nils Lofgren's guitar work in Neil young's band Crazy Horse on Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Winnipeg Night #1, 2019-02-03 by Scotsman:

Nils Lofgren is the kind of guy who can play the most complex guitar solo in his sleep.

He is an absurdly talented instrumentalist, with a mastery of notes and tones that most guitarists don't even know exist. Watching him play Youngstown with Bruce Sprigsteen (Live In New York City 2000) isn't like watching a "normal" guitarist; it seems like he's playing a completely different instrument to the rest of us, such is his level of unique mastery.

And yet, when he plays with Neil, his style is one of utmost restraint*.

Why? Because he's not there to show off. He knows what the songs are calling for: and that is less extra stuff, more Neil Young. The result is a band where Neil's guitar is pushed front-and-center. Where it can either fly or fall. And given the real possibility of falling, this band (with Nils or Poncho) usually flies. Often you see them huddle together, and the song, on the verge of collapse, just seems to pull itself together. With Neil's guitar soaring out of the mix.

That sense of danger, of being on the cliff edge and rising above it, flying even, is where much of the excitement is.

You can make good music with a safety net, for sure, but you can't make good Rock 'n' roll.

(*Molina has a similar view of Poncho Sampedro's style, another master of this approach for 40 years: " He plays beautiful fills....that do justice to the songs").

Scotsman.

Thanks Scotsman! And good to see you again here on TW and all of your insights. Good points on Nils' guitar work and the Crazy Horse sound. Much welcomed thoughts.

More on Nils Lofgren and Neil Young.

Nils Lofgren w/ Neil Young - "Believe"
29th Annual Bridge School Benefit Concerts
Photo by thrasher
(Click photo to enlarge)

On to Night #2 tonight and hoping for smoother sailing.

More on last night's concert and Live Stream on Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Winnipeg Night #1, 2019-02-03.

TONIGHT: Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Winnipeg Night #1, 2019-02-03. https://t.co/H8vn8jo1BP
-@NeilYoungNYA @Neilyoung @nilslofgren @JimJarmusch @CameronCrowe @rustradio @neilyounglyrics @ArchiveNeil @CrazyHorse4HOF pic.twitter.com/aYtXDsaUop

— ThrashersWheat (@ThrashersWheat) February 3, 2019

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• Neil Young's Solo "Big 3M Theater Tour" Begins Tonight: Riverside Theater, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, January 23 - (49 Comments)
• CONCERT REVIEW: Neil Young Stuns Furloughed Fed on Opening Night of 2019 Mini Solo Tour - (4 Comments)
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• Neil Young Solo Minneapolis Residency: #1 - Pantages Theatre, January 26 - (25 Comments)
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• Neil Young Solo Minneapolis Residency: Night #4 - Northrop Auditorium, January 31, 2019 - (38 Comments)

Neil Young Solo Minneapolis Residency: Night #3 - State Theatre, January 29, 2019
Photo via NYA

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