Patti Smith has been my favorite artist since I saw her unshaven armpits on the cover of Easter in 1978. While I admit the armpits were the initial draw, I quickly realized that Patti was something special. Growing up in rural Vermont, I knew nothing of CBGB and the growing punk scene, but Patti opened my eyes to a whole new world of poetry and a little angry rebellion. She seemed so strong and wise. I could listen to her for hours - and I did.
Shortly after Easter, I picked up Wave and for many years, I listened to that album over and over again. I then discovered her earlier albums Horses and Radio Ethiopia. I married a man who also loves Patti's music and I had babies about the same time Patti did. My babies grew up listening to Patti. They still don't quite appreciate her genius, but I keep hoping. Patti's babies grew up and perform with her on the 2012 album Banga. Patti's daughter Jesse plays piano on two tracks of the album. In addition to playing guitar on several tracks, son Jackson plays a very convincing dog on the title track.
You can't be a Patti Smith fan without also being a fan of long-time guitarist and collaborator Lenny Kaye. Lenny's guitar weaves in and out of Patti's lyrics perfectly, as always.
Actor Johnny Depp is featured on the title track "Banga," playing guitar and drums. Patti wrote the song "Nine" as a birthday gift to Depp. As I was listening to "April Fool," my husband called out from the other room, "Tom Verlaine is all over that song," and indeed he is. Despite the guest musicians, this album is classic Patti, which means it showcases her wide variety of musical styles. You can place a reserve on the CD Banga or download the songs from Freegal.
~ Sandy
Editor's Note:
Freegal has a bunch of Patti Smith albums available for download, including her greatest hits collection, Land, 1975-2002. PCPL also has a curious rarity of hers entitled The Coral Sea, which features Patti reading a lengthy poem over improvisational guitar about her friend Robert Mapplethorpe who passed away in 1989.
