The place is rammed full of people who probably were about when Patti was first coming into the spotlight (unlike this reviewer). A thin figure in tight jeans, big black suit jacket and a t-shirt bought from Debenams, her features are faring well over the years. Behind her are a very talented band, including trusty sidekick Lenny Kaye on guitar. They shift and adapt to Smiths tendencies to go off on one mid and in between songs, though their backing vocals sound too female (standing with not much in the way of a view at the back I sometimes find myself confused when Smith is no where near the mic but I can still here what sounds very much like her voice).
After talking in her deep American drawl about a patchwork quilt taking her to see a caterpillar on a mushroom smoking a long pipe (there may be some copyright issues with this story), Jefferson Airplanes White Rabbit has an early airing, with the strong Feed Your Head chorus sang by all in attendance. Smith then has a little talk about drugs, and how you should not take drugs to undue the state you are in from taking drugs in the first place (though she does suggest a tequila as a replacement cure).
With its rounds of Come back, come back Pissing In A River is another of Smiths tracks, as this show is a balance of originals and covers to promote new album Twelve, full of covers of her favourite artists, from Jimi Hendrix, Paul Simon and Bob Dylan. Tonight we get a few goodies in the way of Gimme Shelter by the Rolling Stones, and Soul Kitchen,/i> from The Doors.
A few more of Smiths own songs are amongst the set, Because The Night and Peaceable Kingdom are quite slow and serious, or they would be for the comments in between about Smiths rider. She asked for peanut butter and wheat bread, and as a surprise was presented with a bag of local rhubarb, which she says went well with the peanut butter.
Plenty of anti-war statements tonight, with People Have The Power being a highlight. After an hour and a half of blistering music and thoughtful, carefully told stories she ends with Gloria from Horses.
Of course though theres the encore, and the highlight (especially for this youth) is a slow rendition of Nirvanas Smells Like Teen Spirit, with a fitting spoken word tribute to Kurt Cobain walking to the sun.
Rock And Roll Nigga leads to Smith thrashing her guitar around erratically, knocking over her mic stand, then holding the instrument aloft and saying would you turn a gun on your brother if he pissed you off? This is the only weapon you need!.
The two hour set, with only a short breather, ends with a great cover of Neil Youngs Helpless (a popular track these days; I recently witnessed Jesse Malin sing it). Smiths voice is as hypnotizing as ever, you are drawn in to this woman who is charming and has so much wisdom to give, especially with the upset in her life. I for one am glad she is touring again, to catch this compelling person live is one more thing to cross off lifes list of things to do.
article by: Danielle Millea
photos by: Danielle Millea
published: 30/05/2007 09:27
FUTURE GIGS
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