New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ MVD Entertainment Group) It's been five years since the release of Nils Lofgren's last studio album featuring his own songs and, with his forthcoming release titled, Old School, he's got something to say.
An effort that's been in the works since the culmination of Springsteen's Working on a
Dream Tour in November of 2009, Lofgren's Old School covers a variety of topics including desperation, self-doubt, true love, departed friends, holding on to your dreams and the world gone mad... along with a tribute to the late, great Ray Charles.
"These songs reflect characters with some radical feelings and beliefs," states the singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Lofgren. "They're definitely thought-provoking."
The CD - due out on Tuesday, November 1st -- will be his eighth studio release on Vision Music, the label also responsible for 2008's The Loner - Nils Sings Neil (an homage to Neil Young, whom Nils started his career with over four decades ago) and 2006's Sacred Weapon.
"Old School has many different types of songs and feels... some rough, bluesy tracks to haunting acoustic songs," continues Lofgren. "There's some interesting and controversial characters in these songs and I look forward to everyone's reaction."
The album starts off with the controversial title track, "Old School," which features former Foreigner lead singer Lou Gramm.
"our spineless Congress should all be fired
get some women and men
with balls and sense hired
child rape and murder
one strike and you're down and out
with our kid's lives at stake what's to figure out
oh no ain't no old school anymore..."
It's not for the timid.
Old School features a total of a dozen songs (see below for track listing), all produced by Nils with the exception of the song, "Why Me," which was produced, recorded and mixed by Brian Christian (Alice Cooper/KISS/The Babys fame).
The song, "Amy Joan Blues" features legendary vocalist Paul Rodgers while the cut, "Ain't Too Many Of Us Left," features Rock Hall of Fame inductee Sam Moore from the popular sixties duo Sam & Dave.
Sam Moore comments about the collaboration, "It hit me when I was in the studio with Nils that we've lost so many of our friends, peers and colleagues in the past few years... The Big Man, Billy Preston, Wilson Pickett,
George Harrison, Solomon Burke, Johnny Cash, Isaac Hayes. It hit me how true it is that there 'ain't too many of us left.' I was flattered and honored that Nils asked me to join him to pay a little honor and remind everyone in some way to remember our dear but departed friends and loved ones."
"Ain't Too Many Of Us Left" has been made available as a free download at www.nilslofgren.com for fans to enjoy and the entire CD can be pre-ordered on the site as well.
Also appearing on Old School is the song, "Irish Angel" (written by the great Bruce McCabe) that Nils has been singing for years at his acoustic shows along with a ballad Nils wrote with an old friend and great DC-area artist, Root Boy Slim, called, "Let Her Get Away."
"I've always wanted to share that particular song but never got it together until now," says Nils. "Sadly, Root Boy's not with us any longer, but I know there are fans out there that will appreciate this touching, haunted country-type ballad of ours."
Speaking of old friends near and dear... Old School is dedicated to Nils' dear friend and band mate, Clarence "
Big Man" Clemons.
As an integral member of the Bruce Sprngsteen's E Street Band since 1984, Nils has remained consistently busy as part of the group, and as a solo artist.
In addition to songwriting and performing, Nils also devotes substantial time to his online guitar school (https://www.nilslofgren.com/Lessons07.html), which has garnered tremendous response from guitar players all over the world.
Beginner lessons are offered in English, Spanish and Italian...
In early September, Nils released "When You Are Loved" (via free download on his site), a 9-11 song that honors heroes, victims and families.
Beginning today, Nils hits the road for a few dates (see full itinerary below) to talk up the album and have some fun.
He'll travel from town-to-town, playing his favorite songs in intimate venues, talking to friends and fans... something he's enjoyed for 43 years now.
Call it "Old School."
Item Info: https://www.seeofsound.com/p.php?s=VI21016
TRACK LISTING
1. Old School
2. 60 Is The New 18
3. Miss You Ray
4. Love Stumbles On
5. Amy Joan Blues
6. Irish Angel
7. Ain't Too Many Of Us Left
8. When You Were Mine
9. Just Because You Love Me
10.
Dream Big
11. Let Her Get Away
12. Why Me
