Bob Lefsetz: Welcome To My World - "Bobby Keys Primer"

"Brown Sugar"
Rolling Stones

Because it's his most famous track.

Although legendary and still heard with frequency today you've got no idea how big this was in 1971, when it was released. And one of its main features was Bobby's sax solo. His work lives on, even if he does not.

"Live With Me"
Rolling Stones

Because it was his initial work with the Stones.

"Beggars Banquet" is the best, "Sticky Fingers" the most famous, but "Let It Bleed" is my favorite, for its bookends of "Gimmie Shelter" and "You Can't Always Get What You Want" if nothing else. When "Let It Bleed" was big, it was not gigantic, it was only after its release that the Stones took their initial victory lap as the "World's Greatest Rock and Roll Band."

"Live With Me" was in the middle of side one, and back when we used to play our albums throughout, we knew it by heart, still do.

"Can't You Hear Me Knocking"
Rolling Stones

Few are mentioning this in the obits, but it's the first one that went through my brain when I heard the news of his passing. The song changes groove in the middle and Keys is featured, it's a tour-de-force.

"Happy"
Rolling Stones

On Keith's signature tune, Bobby rips.

"Casino Boogie"
Rolling Stones

A personal favorite.

That's the problem with history, that which was not mainstream then is nearly forgotten today.

People forget that "Exile On Main Street" was a dud upon release. It went straight to number one and then faded almost instantly. But knowing I was going to see the tour I stayed up all night listening to the double album and was enraptured by "Casino Boogie," talk about a GROOVE!

"Emotional Rescue"
Rolling Stones

Nearly a novelty song, Jagger's falsetto gives one that impression. But it was so much fun hearing it come out of the car radio speaker. And Bobby trades licks with Keith after Mick's spoken word/rapping part.

"The Letter"
Mad Dogs & Englishmen

One of the greatest tours in rock and roll history, it made Leon Russell a star and left Joe Cocker drunk on the sidelines. Bobby Keys was on the tour, and is featured on this reworking of the Box Tops' classic "The Letter."

"The Wanderer"
Dion & The Belmonts

Even Keys wasn't sure if it was him, but he was definitely at the session.

"Whatever Gets You Thru The Night"
John Lennon

From Lennon's "comeback" album, "Walls and Bridges."

By this time McCartney had put out the deservedly monstrous "Band On The Run" and was the Beatle carrying the torch, but this ran right up the chart and peaked at number one, the only time John hit that position solo in his lifetime. Sure, the track features Elton, but even Bobby more.

"What Is Life"
George Harrison

John wasn't the only Beatle Keys knew, Bobby played on this, the second single from "All Things Must Pass," Harrison's three record set released right around this time forty four years ago.

P.S. Keys played with Ringo too!

"There Goes The Neighborhood"
Sheryl Crow

Her best album and undeservedly forgotten. "Globe Sessions" is where she proved all her naysayers wrong, she created something that would top the charts if released today, and Keys is featured on this, the second single from the LP.

"Down"
Harry Nilsson

Talk about forgotten... "Nilsson Schmillson" was monstrous, mostly on the back of the cover of Badfinger's "Without You," which at this late date seems to be owned in the public consciousness by Mariah Carey, but the truth is this album was playable throughout, and all the cuts sounded different, Harry crooned, he rocked, he even did the novelty thing with "Coconut," the "All About That Bass," of its day. Either you know "Nilsson Schmillson" or you don't, if you don't, pull it up and marvel. "Down," with Bobby, closes side one.

"Edward"
Nicky Hopkins

Talk about forgotten...

Nicky was the superstar sideman of his day, even bigger than Keys, but the sands of time have buried his name, if not his work. I bought "The Tin Man Was A Dreamer," Nicky's solo album, which was quite playable, and its best track, "Edward." features Keys.

"Let's Get It On"
Marvin Gaye

Talk about iconic... Marvin does not get enough credit, this was when he was finally doing it his way, this cut was monstrous, and Bobby was part of the allure.

"Call Me The Breeze"
Lynyrd Skynyrd

The definitive cover of J.J. Cale's composition featured Keys.

"Don't Ask Me No Questions"
Lynyrd Skynyrd

I actually prefer this trackmate from "Second Helping," even though I recognize "Call Me The Breeze"'s magic. Once again, Bobby is featured.

"City Drops Into The Night"
Jim Carroll

All the hype was about "People Who Died," but this is the best cut on "Catholic Boy," it's one I quote seemingly every day...

"I'm just a constant warning to take the other direction"

It wouldn't be the same without Bobby Keys's sax playing.

"Had Me A Real Good Time"
Faces

From "Long Player," featuring Ian McLagan, who also departed this mortal coil this week, December is a rough month, do your best to make it through.
Bobby's on it.

"Slunky"
Eric Clapton

From God's first solo album which curiously was not a huge success, even though it's one of his absolute best, he had to wait for the follow-up, "Layla," for further adulation. This is the opening cut, with Bobby playing a big part.

"Only You Know And I Know"
Delaney & Bonnie & Friends

Once upon a time, this was the famous iteration, not the one from Dave Mason's superb initial solo LP "Alone Together." Bobby's all over this album featuring Eric Clapton, Mr. Mason and so many more.

"Night Owl"
Carly Simon

Her cover of her beau JT's song on her biggest LP, "No Secrets." Bobby's on it.

"There's Only One"
Graham Nash

From "Songs For Beginners," my favorite of Crosby, Stills & Nash's initial solo LPs. At this late date "Stephen Stills" gets all the credit, but listen to the lyrics on this and the rest of the album, and to Keys's sax.

"Poor Poor Pitiful Me"
Warren Zevon

Obscure until Linda Ronstadt changed the lyrics, included it on one of her albums and made it ubiquitous. Bobby's an integral part of the original.

"Take It Or Leave It"
Eric Carmen

From "Boats Against The Current," Eric Carmen's follow-up to his solo debut with its multiple hit tracks, most specifically "All By Myself." It sank like a stone, but "Boats Against The Current" is one of my favorites.

And many more...

Yes, Bobby Keys is all over the history of rock and roll. He may not be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but even better he's all over the hits, the songs we know by heart.