Post by rtbuck on Sept 26, 2007 15:47:51 GMT -5
Patti Smith
Twelve
Sony Music
Review by Bucky for Rock N roll Universe
With the recent onslaught of “cover song” CD’s hitting the market these days, 2007 R & R Hall of Fame inductee Patti Smith jumps on the band wagon with her latest release ‘Twelve’ on Sony Records.
Patti, who was one of forerunners of the NYC punk movement in the 70’s along with bands like the Ramones, Television, Heartbreakers, Richard Hell and Blondie pioneered a style of mixing poetry with high energy rock & roll along with intense, emotional performances. Smith always put a dark cool vibe on cover songs as her 1975 album ‘Horses’ blended her poetry in with a dark version of Van Morrison’s “Gloria," and ‘Twelve' continues in that same groove.
Patti covers a wide variety of songs by artists such as The Allman Brothers, Tears For Fears, Neil Young, Nirvana, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Hendrix and The Doors. On Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” the beginning bass line sounds a bit like a haunting “Dazed & Confused”. As the groove builds up, in kicks a rhythm of banjos & fiddles, but it does not really have a bluegrass sound to it. Once again Smith mixes in a bit of her poetry to bring the song over the edge. My favorite track on the CD is her rendition of “Gimme Shelter”which totally rocks out both musically and vocally. If anyone has heard Mitch Ryder cover this song, Patti’s version is similar. Other standout tracks are “Are You Experienced,” "White Rabbit”(which Patti mixes in some more of her own lines over some dark feedback),"Soul Kitchen”(this has a cool feel & groove throughout the whole song) and a phenomenal version of “Midnight Rider”.
I highly recommend this album as Patti makes all the songs her own , and the musicianship throughout every track is incredible and crisp. On a scale of 1-10 I definitely give this album a ‘12’.