Covering Patti’s great covers album Twelve was a given, but we were torn between this track and “Boy In The Bubble” (Vampire Weekend’s got us on a Graceland kick) — but, we figured a “Smells Like Teen Spirit” cover piques more curiosity. Everyone who’s heard the album notes the strength with which she’s singing these days. Credit that to deep breathing, healthy living. Via Contact:
“I used to sing through my nose; I was always a sickly, bronchial child. But I’ve never had issues with drink or drugs, and I don’t smoke. “So now I’ve got healthy.”
[Pic from Patti's set at Lollapalooza '06.]
In other words, she’s not singing like Chris Richardson. Anyway, Patti’s take on “Teen Spirit” dials down the grunge and brings in some banjo, morphing the seminal cut into a heart-stricken lullaby.
Twelve is out 4/24 on Sony. For those in the NYC area, there are a few bricks-and-mortar retailers that will give you a free ticket to Smith’s three-shows-in-one-night release-night gig at Bowery Ballroom with your purchase of Twelve. Take the jump for deets.
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Got the Tori Amos Big Wheel video here:
http://www.tecoapple.blogger.com.br/
She used to play “Heart Shaped Box” at shows semi-regularly back in 2000/2001.
All the reviews I’ve read for this album so far have said virtually nothing but bad things, and to be honest, from that I can kind of see why.
Definitely heard better versions of the song, and strangely, the ones that instantly come to mind are all instrumentals (eg. Eric Roche, The Bad Plus), which that Patti Smith version would probably be better off joining in with.
I had no idea that song had real lyrics
Some of her cover choices ARE odd (Tears for Fears are great, but she doesn’t bring anything to “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”) … and who needs another “Gimme Shelter” take? But I do dig the album, and I’m really taken w/ the Paul Simon cover. Maybe we’ll have that for you another day if anyone cares?
It bothers me that Patti Smith uses anything as a platform for a political rant. It loses impact pretty quickly and gets a little weird, e.g., her song about burning babies performed at the KidZ Bop Tent at Lollapalooza.
What’s all that rambling 2/3rds into the Teen Spirit cover? Sounded decent up to that point, but 6 minutes loses a little of the effect.
Amazing version of the song… discovered the lyrics for the first time. Her performance is smokingly passionate and, therefore, true to the original and a fitting tribute. Salute. Cool that she uncovered the folky bluegrassy undertones of the song… Kurt C love Leadbelly and similar people so…that’s what he meant, i guess. Patti is amazing.
The “rambling” is something that Smith’s done since her first album. She takes standards and adds liberal amounts of her own words. It’s a nice arrangement and, while her poetry insertions have gotten more and more Ginsberg-spoken-word and less musical, it’s still not really all that different than what she did with “Gloria” or “Land of a Thousand Dances” on Horses.
Probably one of the greatest covers i’ve ever heard of this song. Patti Smith is incredible.
i tend to agree with “d”. if you were weaned on patti smith’s earlier works, that “rambling” would have been the meat in the pie. her “piss factory” actually blew me apart. and to think i was in sixth grade then. about this cover, i never was a nirvana fan, but smith essays the song pretty well.
Patti Smith is my second cousin
Patti captures the essence of Teen Spirit…the banjo is genius. Her version takes the sarcasm out and brings the panic and desperation to the forefront. Patti is one of the most authentic musicians performing and she has kept it real and fresh for over 30 years.