Search - Patti Smith :: Horses (Aniv) (Dlx) (Dig)

"my sins are my own"

Jon | UK | 05/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After an evening with friends playing Patti and many other 70's and 60's luminaries this album got a lot of votes. As we all treat Christianity as a stupidly unfunny joke the opening lyric "...Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine" followed by a lesbian eulogy to the joys of womankind seemed to work. Our general consensus was not only that this stands as one of the best 'dirty-boogie' records ever recorded, and one of the most influential in the world of rock, but also that it is exists as a near perfect smack in the face for religious crap in the defence of personal freedom.



So...



Altogether now...



G L O R I A"

Mixed Feelings - Good Original Remaster; Self-Indulgent Liv

Richard B. Ludwig | Maumee, Ohio USA | 01/29/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Before I start the review, just some cultural context: I am a 58 year old conservative evangelical Christian who listens to a broad range of music. I did not "grow up" Christian but came to Christ at age 32. I am a musician and music lover.



I bought this recently because I'm in a phase right now where I'm reconnecting with some 60's & 70's music that a) I knew in those days, or b) I never quite got to know. "Horses" is the latter. At 58 years old now, I realize there are a number of landmark albums that I never really gave a chance in their day. So I took the plunge (ahem) and bought this double set. I have to say that the remastered original studio is amazing and hit me hard. John Cale's production is all over it, and there are spots that have the understated energy of the first Velvet Underground release. Patti's lyrics are extraordinary, if disturbing. The band knew its limitations (or at least Cale did, if you please) and their minimalist contribution works well. This is a 5-star CD.



So why the 3-star review? Three words: the live CD. I really, really, really wanted to like the 2005 live performance, especially with Tom Verlaine playing on every cut. BUT: I'm sorely disappointed in the performance , most deeply with Patti's reimagining of "Land." The original was understated and explosive at the same time. 30 years later, this live version finds Patti's "additions" self-indulgent and gratuitous.



Why do I think this?



1) "Land" - Her use of m....r f.....r and f....g over and over just gets old fast. I don't say this as an offended "Christian," (I hope) but as a discerning listener. "Johnny" is morphed from an innocent boy (in the original) into an "angry young man" who now dares his attacker to bring it on. He is no longer a victim, but just an amoral collaborater. I don't believe in Johnny anymore, and the transformation just doesn't work.



2) "Land" again - 5 minutes of a reprise of "Gloria"???? Why??? The lead-off song is already longer than the original, and ends with a silly "rock-star" flourish. Why jam it in again to "Land" and inflict the same indulgence. Sorry, it just doesn't work. Having 17 minutes to improvise does not bring out Patti's best.



3) Whole performance - Where the heck is Verlaine? One of the finest post-punk guitarists ever is barely utilized (except on "Birdland"). I understand that the original band had serious limitations, and played within them. Great; it worked. But why compress Verlaine's talent into those limitations? The 17 minutes of "Land" could have used 5 minutes of his genius licks instead of the eye-rolling rehash of "Gloria."



4) Whole performance again - Just not well-thought out. It should have been stellar in scope and realization, and expanded versions should have been revelations. Nope: Instead, the best moments on the live CD are those that most resemble the original. What a shame and what a waste.



***OTHER ISSUES per interviews with Patti:



1) The opening line of "Gloria" is not a slam at Christianity, but a personal refusal of Patty to be "boxed-in" by her Catholic roots, and a noble, if misguided, attempt to take responsiblity for her own mistakes. Her rejection of Christ's sacrifice makes me sad--because Jesus DID indeed die for her sins--but she is not attacking those who do believe.



2) Several reviewers here and elsewhere have referred to the middle section of "Gloria" as being some kind of lesbian celebration. This is careless listening at best. Patty has refuted this view directly in old and recent interviews by pointing out that she sings as different characters in different songs, and that in "Gloria" she is singing from a man's point of view. She clearly is not lesbian herself (not ever, if you follow her history, esp her marriage to Fred Smith); she simply affirms her freedom to make her singing persona cross genders when necessary.



OK, enough. Neither my disappointment with the live stuff, nor my concern with Patty's apparent personal rejection of Christ does anything to detract from my free praise of the remaster of the truly great original "Horses" CD. Powerful and thoughtful stuff for any generation.



Cheers, Rick."

Still awesome after all these years

Noel Collins | Honolulu, HI, USA | 07/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Patti is an inspiration and my goddess. Still going strong at 60 years old, the live album alone is reason to buy this. Patti conjures such amazing, shamanic energy in her performance of the songs. I find myself listening to this album much, much more often than to the 1975 studio version. Her voice is stronger, the band is tighter, and she's older and wiser - but still just as intense, and still an important artist. HIGHLY recommended!"