patti smith

I was overwhelmed when Jono appeared with two tickets to see Patti Smith in the Millennium Galleries , Sheffield. After a glass of wine at the legendary Frog and Parrot with the Good Lord we made our way to the gig. Patti read from "Just Kids" and sang songs accompanied by her piano player and guitarist Tony Shanahan. Apart from her performance which was truly magical, the readings punctuated with stories and anecdotes, the songs delivered with the passion and verve you might expect from such a figure of such magnitude, the most impressive and moving thing was the grace, gentleness and strength of a lady who has seen much and yet seemed egoless. Here was a woman of obvious power , experience and life who had lost non of her desire for life such was/is her presence. And the voice- rich and gentle yet strong and full of depth. She was happy to please the masses with "because the night" yet still able to deliver a prophetic "redondo beach". Patti Smith - poet, musician and painter. INSPIRATION. Please read her book, listen to her albums (I love "Radio Baghdad" on "Trampin") and beg ,steal ,borrow or even buy the dvd "dream of life". I dare you not to believe!