The show opened with an excellent "Rock 'n' Roll Star", including an amazing early Sonic Youth like feedback and atonal frenzy in the middle. This went right into "Privilege (Set Me Free)", one of my faves and it didn't disappoint. Very powerful! Patti seemed very strong and in complete control of the crowd during these opening numbers.
A blistering "Pumping (My Heart)" followed, every bit as furious as when she first performed it almost 25 years ago. If I closed my eyes I could imagine the band back then. Patti's voice is a little deeper but the same intensity is there. She really is amazing. (This year marks the 25th anniversary of the legendary Teenage Perversity January 30, 1976 show at the Roxy).
These 1st 3 songs were as electrically charged as I've ever seen Patti begin a show. Really something. I know that Oliver's guitar playing has often been criticized, but I found him to be pretty much on the mark all night. Lenny was his usual stunning self. He looked like he was having a blast.
Next, after the usual search for her misplaced spectacles and the "Martian Restaurant Joke", she did an incredible, even transcendent version of "Birdland". It was a little odd to see her reading the spoken parts of the song from the Patti Smith Complete book, but then I forget why I'm going into the kitchen halfway there most of the time myself. It's alot of words to remember. The imagery of the song is still so beautiful. What a treat.
"Looking For You (I Was)" came next, followed by a feel-good, crowd-pleasing "Redondo Beach", with Tony's undulating bass throbs. Patti then brought the frantic pace down with a Blake reading ("Lamb") segueing into "Boy Cried Wolf". Patti joked about her lame wolf howls at the end. "Grateful", dedicated to Jerry with multiple projections of Garcia followed. It was a very touching performance on the anniversary date of his passing.
A rant about the power problems in California went into a story about Bruce Lee being trapped in an elevator, but not panicking and calling everyone on his cell phone. This led into an excellent "Beneath the Southern Cross", with Patti wailing on the clarinet, her cheeks puffed out like Dizzy G. As always, Tony did his lovely vocal thing in the middle. "Frederick" was next, accompanied by Patti's huge grin throughout. After not playing it for so long, she seems to be really enjoying revisiting it. Time heals.
A rocking "Dancing Barefoot", with requisite ankles down striptease was next. During the instrumental break in the middle Patti waded through the fans and then hopped back up on stage. A ferocious "Summer Cannibals" followed with the entire crowd chanting along to the EAT! EAT! choruses and Patti sharing the mic with the throng up front.
"Seven Ways of Going" featured more manic clarinet from Patti. A pretty version of "Wing" was slightly marred by audience chatter. In a club it's tough to keep a packed-in mob quiet for the more subdued songs, though in general the crowd hung on Patti's every word and gesture. A really fun sing along version of "Be My Baby" with BIG kick drum from JD led to a 1st album faithful version of "Gloria". It's great to hear it the original way with the Jesus died intro and slow build up, though all the various ways she's done it over the years are interesting in themselves. The entire place was screaming the chorus in unison. A wonderful Rock & Roll moment. The band left the stage to peels of feedback.
For the encore, Patti started with Nirvana's "Heart Shaped Box". This is an inspired cover choice which allows the band to flex their tension/release chops. Patti's vocals were at her growling best.
Again, Patti referred to Complete for the "Babelogue" intro to "Rock 'N' Roll Nigger", and then the band was off on a blistering romp through the song with extended guitar dueling between Lenny and Oliver over improv clarinet honking from Patti. She tied a red and gold starred flag around her face for an impassioned WTO/G8/Big Business furious slew of words and spit. After this sonic onslaught Patti wound up a little snow globe music box and had everyone sing along to a tinkling version of "Oh What A Beautiful Morning". No one but Patti could have pulled this off.
It was a magical, childhood recapturing moment and a really sweet way to end a riveting, exhausting, exhilarating night with Patti and the boys. I am renewed!
Phil