In a career spanning six decades, there are bound to be some ghosts. Closing out Somerset House’s Summer Series on Sunday night, Patti Smith placed those enduring connections front and centre, with a set celebrating absent friends and her lifelong love for collaboration.Joined by long-time bassist and keyboardist Tony Shanahan, Seb Rochford of Polar Bear on drums, and her son Jackson on guitar, the revered punk-poet spent a little over an hour delivering dynamic renditions of cult classics.
Contrasting a light-footed, reggae rhythm with its heavy tale of grief, Redondo Beach sounded every bit as arresting as you might imagine it did on its debut – almost 50 years ago. Dancing Barefoot remains similarly timeless, with last night’s version featuring an impassioned outro with striking vocal harmonies.Always a keen covers enthusiast, Smith’s faithful take on Bob Dylan’s Man In The Long Black Coat was eclipsed by her inspired interpretation of Lana Del Rey’s Summertime Sadness. Dedicated to her late husband, Fred “Sonic” Smith of MC5, bittersweet lines like, “Kiss me hard before you go,” were imbued with a fresh poignancy, further accentuated by the warm, weather-beaten timbre of Smith’s tones.
