Grin - Washington DC 1972

Before forming Grin, Nils Lofgren had already played piano in Neil Young's Band (and whilst with Grin he performed on the album 'After The Gold Rush').

I understand that it was on the strength of his membership of Neil Young's band that Grin obtained a record contract and in their short history they recorded four albums.

Nils Lofgren of course went on to become highly successful as a solo artist, along with his long standing membership of the E Street Band.

Having discovered Nils Lofgren through his 'Cry Tough' release in 1976, I rapidly bought his back catalogue of Grin albums, and was surprised by how diverse the songs were.

This is Grin live in concert at the Lisner Auditorium, George Washington University, Washington DC back on the 1st December 1972.

Source: Soundboard

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@320kbps.

Genre: Rock, Blues, Country Rock.

Set: Full Set.

Set List:

01. I Had Too Much
02. Ain't Love Nice
03. Love Or Else
04. Please Don't Be Long
05. Moon Tears
06. Love Again
07. Heart On Fire
08. Slippery Fingers
09. Sad Letter
10. Heavy Chevy
11. Like Rain
12. End Unkind
13. See What Love Can Do

Band Line Up:

Bob Berberich: drums & lead vocals
Nils Lofgren: guitar, piano, and co-lead vocals
Tom Lofgren: guitar & vocals
Bob Gordon: bass and vocals

Links: Nils Lofgren Official HERE. Good fan site with details on Grin albums HERE.

Comments: Nils Lofgren had formed Grin with bassist Bob Gordon, and drummer Bob Berberich, in 1969 and the group played in the venues throughout the Washington, D.C. area.

The band had a strong local fan base, releasing four critically acclaimed albums of catchy, mixed rock, from 1971 to 1974, with guitar as Lofgren's primary instrument. Lofgren wrote the majority of the group's songs, and often shared vocal duties with other members of the band (primarily drummer Bob Berberich). After the second album Nils added brother Tom Lofgren as a rhythm guitarist. Grin failed to hit the big time, and were eventually released by their record company.

This recording catches the band playing on home turf, with a storming set of their own material.

Reloaded - 29/May/2015 - download link in comments. 

Buy: - MP3's at Amazon.co.uk Grin and Nils Lofgren.

Nils Lofgren - Pinkpop Festival 1977

It was the UK's NME (New Musical Express), that introduced me to Nils Lofgren, way back when I was a much, much, younger person in the second half of the 1970's.

I was so impressed I went about purchasing his earlier material with 'Grin', and feel a strange personal satisfaction that has been such a key member of Bruce Springsteen's 'E Street Band'.

This then is Nils Lofgren and band, back on the 30th May 1977, at the Pink Pop Festival, Geleen, Holland.

Source: Local FM radio broadcast.

Sound Quality: Very Good quality FM Stereo off air recording converted to 320kbps MP3.

Genre: Rock, Blues Rock, high quality guitar and vocals.

Set: Part of the festival set (as far as I know), for FM broadcast featuring key songs.

Set List:

1.Incidentally it's over.
2.Like rain.
3.Code of the road.
4.Keith don't go.
5.Moon tears.
6.I came to dance.

Total Playing Time 38:01

Links: Official Site (very good) HERE. Informative Wikipedia entry HERE.

Comments: Nils Lofgren's 1976 album release 'Cry Tough' remains a personal favorite of mine. The massive punk backlash emerging at the time here in the UK, was never aimed at the likes of Nils Lofgren, indeed he was considered amongst my peers at the time, as a great example of how rock music should develop.

In reality he was doing his own thing to a very high standard, which fared well, outside of all the music industry shenanigans, and struck a chord with your average rock music fan, tired of the self indulgence of those who had made a fortune playing the rock superstar.

Download link in comments below - or just click on the picture above.

Purchase: MP3's Nils Lofgren