Nils Lofgren "Keith don't go" (where?)

Bob in St. Louis · « **on:** 6 Oct 2008, 06:48 pm »

Who exactly IS Keith, where shouldn't he go, and why not?

Just curious.

Thanks,
Bob

ebag4 · « **Reply #1 on:** 6 Oct 2008, 07:16 pm »

Bob:
This doesn't answer all of yur questions but it does tell you who. From Rolling Stone:

"His "Keith Don't Go (Ode to the Glimmer Twin)" is an amusing and touching tribute to Keith Richard. Richard was the hero of most of the Sixties'true rock guitarists — people who spurned folk rock, psychedelia and heavy metal. He still is the foremost champion and developer of the greatest of all rock guitar traditions—the one begun by Chuck Berry. On "Keith Don't Go" Lofgren articulates his identification with a powerful and mysterious musician in the album's typically innocent terms."

Listening to "Keith Don't Go" makes me wish all music was recorded this well, outstanding track!

Ed

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #2 on:** 6 Oct 2008, 07:24 pm »

Alright, I'll buy that. Thanks Ed.
I've listened to it many times but I'm always listening to the guitar. This morning for the first time while driving to work I actually listened to the words. That's what got my curiosity up.

Cool

Bob

EDIT: And YES! It is an outstanding track, for sure. Excellent sound quality

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #3 on:** 6 Oct 2008, 07:26 pm »

Good video........

ebag4 · « **Reply #4 on:** 6 Oct 2008, 07:31 pm »

Quote from: Bob in St. Louis on 6 Oct 2008, 07:24 pm

Alright, I'll buy that. Thanks Ed.
I've listened to it many times but I'm always listening to the guitar. This morning for the first time while driving to work I actually listened to the words. That's what got my curiosity up.

Cool

Bob

EDIT: And YES! It is an outstanding track, for sure. Excellent sound quality

Yes, great track. BTW Bob, he has done a lot of work with that "Boss" guy you don't like.

Ed

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 Oct 2008, 07:43 pm »

No problem Ed. I can fast forward through those parts.

Thanks for the link Chris. I was reading the comments below the youtube video and especially like this one:
"I love the fact that Nils will sit down and talk to his fans at the end of the gig. I couldnt believe it, he just sat there in the passage near the entrance and said any questions guys? Wonderful man and one of the great guitar players !! "

It's pretty neat that he does that.

Bob

Irwin · « **Reply #6 on:** 7 Oct 2008, 12:23 am »

In 1971 PBS made a documentary titled "The Worlds Greatest Unknown Guitarist",about the late Roy Buchanan.The video contains a smokin' jam featuring Roy,and a teenage Nils.I believe the line from the song is "Keith dont go, to the town of Toronto".

Philistine · « **Reply #7 on:** 7 Oct 2008, 02:01 am »

It's all about when Keith Richards got busted in Toronto (late 70's) for heroin position and faced a few years in a 'hotel' - Lofgren's fear was losing his hero off the music scene for such a length of time.

martinr · « **Reply #8 on:** 7 Oct 2008, 02:18 am »

I used to see Nils with his band in the late 70's at the Old Waldorf in San Francisco....I was very impressionable but Nils and his band Rocked - a great guitar player....one day I will catch a Springsteen show with Nils...I'm sure Bruce must sound great with Nils at the helm!

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #9 on:** 7 Oct 2008, 11:41 am »

Ah HA! A little heroin in Toronto.......Ahhhhhh, I get it now.
The song should be, "Keith, don't be an idiot".

Thanks for the info folks!
Bob

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #10 on:** 7 Oct 2008, 12:53 pm »

http://archives.cbc.ca/arts_entertainment/music/clips/1947/

ted_b · « **Reply #11 on:** 7 Oct 2008, 02:12 pm »

As long as we're talking Nils, I have always been a huge fan, and back when he did the Back It Up Live radio performance at the Record Plant (with Al Kooper and his brother Tommy Lofgren, it's now known as "Back It Up Live, an Authorized Bootleg) they put out some promo cassettes and vinyl of the thing. I was working at our local college am (on campus) radios staion and got a copy. We played it forever that season. It's always been a great gig, and his version of Beggars Day on that show was one of my all-time faves. Keith Don't Go is performed as well, of course, cuz that and Goin Back were the current semi-hits off the great s/t album.

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #12 on:** 7 Oct 2008, 03:16 pm »

"Keith don't go" is the only Nils track I've ever heard.
Is this one song indicative of the rest of his music?
I'd like to purchase more of his music, but I've done that before with other artists based on a single song and have about a 50% success rate.

Bob

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #13 on:** 7 Oct 2008, 03:49 pm »

Quote from: Philistine on 7 Oct 2008, 02:01 am

It's all about when Keith Richards got busted in Toronto (late 70's) for heroin position and faced a few years in a 'hotel' - Lofgren's fear was losing his hero off the music scene for such a length of time.

Or, completely to addiction and eventual overdose (the message I get).

ted_b · « **Reply #14 on:** 7 Oct 2008, 05:00 pm »

Quote from: Bob in St. Louis on 7 Oct 2008, 03:16 pm

"Keith don't go" is the only Nils track I've ever heard.
Is this one song indicative of the rest of his music?
I'd like to purchase more of his music, but I've done that before with other artists based on a single song and have about a 50% success rate.

Bob

Try Rhapsody or Amazon sound clips to hear whether it's even in your ballpark, but my faves (in order of release):
* Nils Lofgren (aka Fat Man Circus cover); a 1975 rock/pop album that has the originals of Keith Don't Go, Goin Back, Back it Up, etc.
http://www.amazon.com/Nils-Lofgren/dp/B000XCZHBW/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1223398589&sr=8-3

* Back It Up Live (an authorized bootleg); great 1975 radio concert of his s/t stuff plus some Crazy Horse material. very raw and nice guitar work.
http://www.amazon.com/Back-Up-Nils-Lofgren/dp/B000O590NO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1223398777&sr=1-1

* Acoustic Live; audiophile favorite for its incredible sound of one man and his guitar. Keith Don't Go version is now well-known to this thread.
http://www.amazon.com/Acoustic-Live-Nils-Lofgren/dp/B000007QET/ref=ntt_mus_ep_wlb_dpi

His solo catalog is interesting. Lots of live stuff and about 10 greatest hits and best of's, even though he rarely had a hit. His pre-solo stuff with Grin is very good, as are the previously mentioned Crazy Horse and Boss years.

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #15 on:** 7 Oct 2008, 05:04 pm »

Thanks Ted, I'll check those out.
You know, I forget that I've (recently) received DSL at home which gives me the ability to audition music before I buy it. This is a new addition to my home as I've been stuck with dial-up for 10+ years.
I totally forgot I can search and listen to music now.

I shouldn't have to ask question like this anymore.

Thanks!
Bob

ted_b · « **Reply #16 on:** 7 Oct 2008, 05:08 pm »

Yeah, I love Rhapsody for that reason. You get to listen to whole albums, not just 30 sec snippets.

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #17 on:** 7 Oct 2008, 05:18 pm »

Hey, cool. Thanks for the reminder Ted.
If I recall, that's one of the 'feeds' on the SB3. It's a whole new world of tunes with DSL! Yea, baby. aa

Bob

Scottdazzle · « **Reply #18 on:** 7 Oct 2008, 06:48 pm »

I totally agree with Ted B that the Nils Lofgren self-titled album on A&M is the place to start. Buy the lp if you can find it... it's dynamite - great music and sound. Bruce is a fool for the way he doesn't use Lofgren more on his records. For that matter, Lofgren should produce Springsteen's records - at least they'd sound like they belong on a real hifi. You should listen to NL and then any of Springsteen's back to back. What a difference.

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #19 on:** 7 Oct 2008, 09:33 pm »

Quote from: Scotthobby on 7 Oct 2008, 06:48 pm

You should listen to NL and then any of Springsteen's back to back. What a difference.

You can say that again.

(Sorry Ed)
Thanks for the recommendation Scott!

Bob