Paul McCartney is not dead. Neither is Bobby Keys although he declared on stage after his first and only real solo of the night, “I gotta leave now!” A live concert encourages a live performance and a live response. A legitimate critique is not complete without pause after the entire experience. After walking away from what was supposed to be a concert featuring our beloved Bobby Keys of the Rolling Stones, I was shocked by a profound sense of disappointment. To be sure, I listened to the comments of a few others in the ladies room afterwards. It was like looking in the mirror with no makeup on; what we had in common was true to ourselves. There was no illusion. We were disappointed.
I wanted more. When given the choice many of us would like to leave. That’s not what its about when you are a musician on stage. Just as an athlete gets paid millions to perform under tremendous pressure, a musician has the duty to pull out from under the claim to fame and facilitate a fresh meaningful experience on the spot. Musicians are servants when the audience has purchased tickets to hear them. Its one thing to leave the concert goers wanting more, but another not to be a part of the encore when everyone is there to hear you! Bobby Keys is not a boy. His task for the night was not an option of “I think I can.” The audience in New York City at the Highline Ballroom deserved much more than he delivered last Thursday night.
Althugh I'm a Stones fan I didn’t go for the nostalgia. Still. the band performance of "Wild Horses" was the best selection of the night, albeit without master mind Bobby Keys. BNeing there was like resting in a cradle of the music and history of rock we all love most. As years of pop songs past and present flip before our minds and ears, Iit can tell us about each hit and every star.
The sad part about the evening was the whole attitude of giving up. I don’t want to say good-bye. Where did Bobby Keys have to go? Just moments before he declared a departure, he warbled in his husky oldtimer voice, "I don't wanna give back the mic now I've got it"… What frightened Bobby away? Why was Paul McCartney dead? As for Tim Reis, Will Lee, Kent Smith, and Lisa Fischer; I would love to sing with you all sometime.