Sacred Weapon is Nils Lofgren's 17th studio album since parting ways with Grin in a career that's spanned more than 30 years, and it's to his credit that after all this time it's hard to know what to expect from the guy when he makes a record. Above and beyond all else, Lofgren is a hell of a good rock & roll guitar player, but while he gives himself some powerful six-string workouts here, on Sacred Weapon he seems more interested in baring his soul and looking into the nooks and crannies of human relationships than in reeling off solos. Vocals have never been Lofgren's strongest suit, and his voice, reedy and wavering, is not in its best shape here, but there's a naked emotion in "The Comfort Your Love Brings," "You're Not There," "Whiskey Holler," and "In Your Hands" (the latter a duet with Willie Nelson) that compensates for the flaws in his instrument, and he puts a soulful force behind his performances that's inarguably affecting. The songwriting follows suit, and for every loose-limbed rocker like "Can't Take the Rock," one or two deeply personal songs cut to the emotional quick, and the album includes musical homages to two fallen heroes, Walter Payton ("Tried and True") and David Briggs ("Mr. Hardcore"). Some of Sacred Weapon works and some of it doesn't, but what does stick is powerful and heartfelt enough to make this one of Lofgren's best solo albums since 1991's Silver Lining, and proof he can write fine songs of his own when he's properly inspired. ~ Mark Deming, All Music Guide
Willie Nelson (Vocals), Nils Lofgren (Dulcimer), Nils Lofgren (Synthesizer), Nils Lofgren (Bass), Nils Lofgren (Dobro), Nils Lofgren (Guitar), Nils Lofgren (Percussion), Nils Lofgren (Pedal Steel), Nils Lofgren (Accordion), Nils Lofgren (Glockenspiel), Nils Lofgren (Vocals), Nils Lofgren (Producer), Graham Nash (Vocals), Bob Berberich (Vocals), Timm Biery (Percussion), Timm Biery (Drums), Roger Greenawalt (Vocals), Roger Greenawalt (Producer), Roger Greenawalt (Engineer), Nathaniel Kunkel (Engineer), Tom Lepson (Vocals), Tom Lofgren (Vocals), Kevin McCormick (Bass (Electric)), Kevin McCormick (Fretless Bass), Kevin McCormick (Bass (Upright)), Ron Rutkowski (Violin), Rickie Simpkins (Violin), Robert Spates (Violin), Martin Sexton (Vocals), Dick Bangham (Package Design), Billy Wolf (Engineer), Billy Wolf (Digital Editing), Billy Wolf (Mastering), Billy Wolf (Mixing), Albert Anderson (Vocals), Anson "Jimmy" Smith (Executive Producer), Anson "Jimmy" Smith (Management), William Herndon (Vocals), Jamison Weddle (Engineer), Jamison Weddle (Assistant Engineer), Margot Reed (Vocals), Crosby, David & Graham Nash (Vocals), Linda Bangham (Package Design), Renee Anderson (Vocals), Robin Blackstone (Vocals), Lynn Marie Blanton (Vocals), Melanie Corradi (Paintings), Melanie Corradi (Cover Art), Melanie Corradi (Sketches), Dylan Covington (Vocals), Maggie Keasler (Vocals), Barbara McCreary (Vocals), Alex Mulloney (?), Chile Pepper (Vocals), Peach Pitt (Vocals), Roney (Vocals), Cameron K. Walls (Vocals), Abbey Witney (Vocals), Amy Witney (Vocals), Roy Witte (Engineer)
