Re: Twelve is #32 on Amazon right now..

["Lance Link" <lancelink123>]

I grew up on Patti...
Her music has been a huge part of my life.
However, everything after Peace & Noise became more and more bland to me.
I think this covers album is extremely weak, it doesn't grab me at all.
I've listened to it many times.
I have seen her many many times live, and she's one of the best performers
I've ever seen.
The live shows are electrifying, even on the last tour for Trampin', one of
my top 5 ever.
But I really feel that this album lacks so much.
Maybe the production?


On 4/25/07, Becky King <rlking> wrote:
>
>  Yea - I don't quite agree with that review.  Maybe they could have done
> "more".. but why?  Your thoughts?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> *From:* Lance Link [mailto:lancelink123]
> *Sent:* Wednesday, April 25, 2007 7:37 PM
> *To:* rlking
> *Cc:* babel-list
> *Subject:* Re: Twelve is #32 on Amazon right now..
>
> *Amazon.com <http://amazon.com/>*
> Both a stopgap release until Patti Smith writes another album's worth of
> material and a way to keep her name in front of the public after her highly
> publicized 2007 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this set of a
> dozen covers finds the singer/poet in an unusually reflective mode. Some of
> the sources are obvious for those familiar with Smith's influences (the
> Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan), some less so (Paul Simon, Nirvana,
> Jefferson Airplane, Neil Young), and a few come out of left field (the
> Allman Brothers Band, Stevie Wonder, Tears for Fears). Smith's innate class
> and approach guarantees there's nothing awful here, but there also isn't
> much that stamps these versions with her own vision. She does little more
> than deliver the words in her unique spoken/sung voice and--except for
> adding a banjo and her own poetry to an acoustic "Smells Like Teen
> Spirit"--keeps the arrangements close to the originals. At times she seems
> distant from the material, running through the Doors' "Soul Kitchen" and
> Young's "Helpless" with an oddly soulless detachment. Likewise, her band
> seems to be on autopilot, playing with little emotional involvement or
> attempts to bring fresh interpretations to tunes that are, with the
> exception of Dylan's "Changing of the Guard," surprisingly unimaginative
> choices. Considering the raging and extreme overhaul Smith did on Van
> Morrison's "Gloria" and the Who's "My Generation" in her younger days, this
> quieter, gentler approach seems flaccid, even bland in comparison. *--Hal
> Horowitz*
>
>
> On 4/25/07, Becky King <rlking> wrote:
> >
> > And so far I absolutely love this CD.. great stuff.  I am especially
> > high on
> > Within You, Without You.