The mother of the original New York Punk music scene sauntered into Santa Barbara Tuesday night, January 27th, to play a very special concert downtown, at the elegant Granada theater. The concert began shortly after the red carpet opening of the 32nd Santa Barbara International Film festival, just across the street at the Arlington Theater. But the festival didn’t stop the UCSB Arts and Lectures Patti Smith concert from packing the grandiose Granada Theater. Shortly after 8pm the upscale audience dressed like they were attending a performance by the Bolshoi Ballet, rushed to their plush seats in the elegant theater as the lights dimmed, signaling the start of the show. The crowd erupted into rapturous applause as Smith and her band of veteran musicians quietly took the stage.
Smith dressed in jeans, black boots and a casual black Blazer, looked much more casual and at ease than most in her audience. Lead guitarist Lenny Kaye, who has played with Smith since 1971, immediately launched into a guitar drenched rocking song reminiscent of the bands early days. Smith is celebrating the 40th anniversary of her debut album, Horses. With its mix of Dylanesque poetry and three chord primal punk rock, Smith and her band became iconic members of the that album – “Redondo Beach”. Before the second song, Smith began to banter with the crowd, which would become a more relaxed conversation as the night wore on.
Long time drummer, JD Daugherty was introduced, who actually grew up in Santa Barbara. The last time Smith played in Santa Barbara, in 2009 was a very different concert experience. That show, also part of the UCSB Arts and Lectures series featured collaboration with composer, Philip Glass. Guitarist Kaye was part of that show, but this may have been the first show that the full band has done with Smith. The group mixes their play list from night to night, offering a unique evening of music for each new venue. Smith chose an eclectic mix of old school punk and much more esoteric avant grade music to complement the setting at the Granada theater show.
The artist, ever the poet, would fade off into unscripted tangents both while singing and conversing throughout the evening. At times the set would take on a feeling more like a Laurie Andersen concert, (Also a recurring performer on the USCSB Arts and Lectures roster), with seemingly spontaneous outbursts of poetry, folk and jazzy funk music. These moments were especially effective, juxtaposed against the three chord punk songs that defined the early sound of Patti Smith.
Smith was also not afraid to delve into cover material, playing early on, a tune by young songwriter Gregory Alan Isakov, “Stable Song.” Smith dedicated her song “This Is The Girl”, to Amy Winehouse. The stoic crowd was flushed from their plush seats during an emphatic rendition by Smith to the next song she played, “Gandhi”. Near the end of her set Smith actually sauntered into the now dancing crowd, evoking a huge cheer from the audience. It was another inspiring night of music brought to Santa Barbara by UCSB Arts and Lectures. You can visit their website for the remains 2015 schedule.
Set List
Dancing Barefoot
Redondo Beach
Pumping (My Heart)
Distant Fingers
Ghost Dance
My Blakean Year
Open My Eyes (The Nazz Cover)
This Is The Girl
The Stable Song (Gregory Alan Isakov Cover)
Because The Night
Ain’t It Strange
Because The Night
Pissing In A River
Gandhi
Banga
People Have Power
