This concert was in celebration of the 40th year anniversary of her Horses album, which has become a classic collection, since it helped reshape the rock and roll genre, thus molding it into what it is today. It is no wonder that she is affectionately known as “The Godmother of Punk.”
Smith began her set with her poem “Compacted Awareness,” and it was followed by “Gloria,” which had vivid lyrics. She took her fans to a much needed “vacation” to “Redondo Beach” and the lengthy yet haunting ballad “Birdland,” displayed her wide range as a recording artist. “Free Money” was lyrically and sonically powerful, while “Kimberly” was more laid-back and mellow, featuring her raspy voice.
She continued with “Break It Up,” which was a neat sing-along for the audience, while “Elegie” was utterly haunting. Smith paid homage to The Velvet Underground by including a medley of “Rock & Roll” and “I”m Waiting for the Man” and “White Light/White Heat” in her set.
Of course, no Patti Smith concert is complete without her covering two of her beloved hits such as “Dancing Barefoot” and her signature song “Because The Night,” which she dedicated to her late husband and her better half, Fred “Sonic” Smith. She closed on an inspirational note, with the empowering “People Have the Power” and they returned for an encore where they performed “My Generation.”
The Verdict
Overall, Patti Smith and her band were exceptional at Beacon Theatre, where they celebrated the 40th anniversary of her Horses album. They were able to dust off all the songs from that collection, and make them fresh and relevant again for a new generation of fans. Smith is like fine wine, and the acclaimed rock singer-songwriter and poet only gets better with age. She has aged gracefully over the years, and her voice sounds as good as ever. Her show garnered an A rating.
