Nils Lofgren - Crooked Line (1992)

Crooked Line evokes Lofgren's Youngian (not Jungian) roots, and it's therefore appropriate that original mentor Neil guests on the sessions. Mr. Young adds distinctive background vocals and harmonica to the country-folk ramble "You," and lets loose with some grungy electric guitar for "Drunken Driver." Not that he steals any of the limelight from Lofgren, who offsets his trademark tough but melodic string-bending with tasteful acoustic pop forays like "Shot At You." The guitarist leaves flashy pyrotechnics to others, preferring to cut his material with direct, slashing simplicity.