Mountains
Cattle Track Road, 2023
9/10
Even if you aren’t familiar with Nils Lofgren’s name, you’ve heard his work, as he played in The E Street Band and Crazy Horse, and his prolific solo career is quite impressive, too, as evidenced by these 10 soulful rock tunes.
“Ain’t The Truth Enough” starts the listen with Ringo Starr (drums) and Kevin McCormick (bass) helping make for a rich and spirited retro-rocker, where Lofgren’s lap steel, organ, vibraphone and vocals won’t go unappreciated, and “Only Ticket Out” follows and showcases crisp drums and some spacey ideas amid the grit and warmth.
Halfway through, “Nothin’s Easy” lands in folk-rock territory that radiates so much beauty from the pedal steel and poetic vocal harmonies, while the melodic “Dream Killer”, the album’s best, in an emotive and lush rocker that’s so meticulously layered.
Approaching the end, “I Remember Her Name” is a quicker, scrappy version of throwback rock that’s quite dreamy as well, and “Angel Blues” exits the listen with graceful piano and soaring voices for the sublime balladry that’s as heartfelt as it is memorable.
Other names you might know who appear on the record include Neil Young, Cindy Mizelle, Ron Carter, Howard Gospel Choir, and David Crosby, and they help illuminate Lofgren’s blues and gospel moments of this vulnerable and wise body of work that certainly stands out in a 50 year catalog of music.
Travels well with: Jackson Browne- Downhill From Everywhere; John Hiatt- Leftover Feelings