patti smith reviews Shepherds
Bush Empire, London (August 11, 2003)
By Claire 
I wanna be like Patti Smith when I grow up' says Flea from Red
Hot Chili Peppers after attending the Shepherds Bush gig, Monday 11th August.
who can blame him? In my own mind I'm still at the concert, it's Thursday now.
From the moment Ms Smith swaggered on stage she had an adoring audience captivated
from her every word and movement. Some of the assemblege cried, some danced, some
punched the air with excitement whatever you did, you loved it. Dressed in a string
tie, shirt and blazer she not only looked the part. 'Hey Everyone!!' she said
taking her place on stage before launching into a revamped rendition of 'Land'.
Whilst she sung a kaelidoscope style image of the horses album sleeve was projected
onto a screen behind the band. Soon the face of Jimi hendrix and other 'niggers'
would grace the screen. For me, the perfect start to an amazing evening. 'Where
Duty Calls' soon followed, greatly accepted by her audience. Patti and her band
proved to be on top form, as good as they were 25 years ago on the release of
'Horses' joined by Oliver Ray and Tony Shannahan. Oliver nailed the Tom Verlaine
solo on 'break it up' and Lenny proved to be as cool as ever with his guitar playing.
Patti cracked jokes through the evening and seemed totally happy and as charming
as ever. She frequently paused to put on her glasses and read from her books.
One poem was by William blake. Others by Patti herself from her own books. Other
legendery songs were played such as beneath the southern cross, wing, frederick,
dancing barefoot, seven ways of going, redondo beach, free money, kimberly, boy
cried wolf, dead city, a slower version of 25th floor and because the night. A
personal highlight was hearing 'pissing in a river' . It was especially intense
and beautiful. Patti played a 2 and a half hour set, from
8.30 until 11.00. There was no encore as the miserable bastards at the theatre
wouldnt let her play any longer after her curfew! Lastly they played a truely
brilliant version of rock n roll nigger giving patti a chance to thank the people
who protested about the recent war against Iraq and for herself to yell and scream
about George Bush (not in a good way!) and the 'motherfuckers' of MTV and VH1,
what can I say? It was sheer brilliance. for a while patti dissapeared from the
stage, only to reappear on the third balcony waving at her fans. The evening ended
on a perfect note, it was clear she didn't want to leave the stage, she was still
full of energy. She departed, but not before telling us of her new album plans,
surely something to look forward to. She showered the audience with red and white
rose petals and left. What a show, what a woman. Photo
by Oliver Ray |
