An intriguing comment from a review of a Patti Smith gig in France exactly one week ago this evening, three days before the gig that I saw earlier this week. Could it be true? My gut feeling is not; it doesn't sound like the kind of black and white pronouncement that she'd make. But who knows?
A setlist is therefore appropriate, for posterity. This is entirely from memory; I think I've named every song, but the running order is definitely indicative rather than accurate. There were also several readings, one towards the beginning from Herman Hesse (did she call it "Two Children"?), a couple of poems from her own Early Work collection and William Blake's poem The Lamb.
At the end of the set, she thanked the audience and promised that she and her band would be returning to the studio shortly to create a "more politically charged" album.
There is only one further memory of this performance that I feel the need to preserve and share. Towards the end of the gig, she tied her hair up in a pony tail. Apart from the fact that she is now greyer, she looked little different to the image of her on the front cover of Radio Ethiopia, twenty-seven years ago. The effect was quite startling.
Now go and read Fiona's review, which I wholeheartedly endorse.
Posted by Hg on Saturday 16 August 2003 at 00:04.
Received 1 comments so far.
Wow, not been over this way for a few days... it's wonderful to see someone so entralled by one of their heroes.
I must admit a childish bias against Patti Smith because my little brother had discovered her first. I've several times visited her work and been impressed but your pieces have put it all into perspective..will buy Horses today!
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