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Patti Smith review – utterly transformed by the power of music
Whether she’s dancing, eulogising Kurt Cobain or covering Lana Del Rey, Smith remains such a compelling and moving live performer
The object of their affection should, by rights, have long ascended into the realm of legendhood, where people buy tickets simply to be in proximity to an icon and the music is a secondary consideration. Between songs she’s far goofier than her reputation as the epitome of New York punk cool suggests, but once her band kick into the Velvet Underground-ish chug of Nine or a surging version of Pissing in a River, she appears to be genuinely transported. Photograph: Sonja HorsmanSmith’s penchant for an unlikely cover version has long been noted – in the 21st century she’s essayed everything from Prince’s When Doves Cry to Tears For Fears’ Everybody Wants to Rule the World to Midnight Oil’s anthem Beds Are Burning, with varying degrees of success.
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