Rolling Stone : Twelve : Review

Three decades after Smith made the transition from poet to rock & roller, we still don't think of her as a singer, exactly -- more a reciter who can carry a tune, kind of. So a covers album showcasing her interpretive gifts is a questionable vehicle. And like most such albums -- there are dozens by now -- it's somewhat hit-or-miss. But when Smith hits, it isn't just a bull's-eye -- the arrow splits the apple and then brings down the bad guy hiding behind the tree. It takes a poet to extract the lyricism of Jimi Hendrix's "Are You Experienced?" from its guitaristics and an avant-gardist to validate a middlebrow tour de force like Paul Simon's "The Boy in the Bubble." And though other winners are more obvious, you'll be convinced that this woman felt "Gimme Shelter" very deeply -- and many years later, "Smells Like Teen Spirit," too.

ROBERT CHRISTGAU

(Posted: Apr 17, 2007)

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Review 1 of 3

2 of 2 found this comment useful ( 100% )

5of 5 Stars

Patti Smith-Twelve ***** Many cover albums have been made over the years by great artists and some by artists who arent that great, some of those cover albums have been excellent and some have been horrible, but no cover album in history has been like Twelve. Here you can truly sence that Patti Smith is inspired not like other cover album sthat choose songs that have inspired them in the past this album is inspired at this moment and that is what will make this album stand above all the rest in the years to come. Very doubtful that this will recieve play or major sales but rest assured it will rightfuly earn the critical acclaim and respect it deserves by those who dare to listen. Almost all of the songs here are different then the originals and done how Patti deemed necessary, and they are all done wonderful, some songs even better then the originals. Who would have ever thought a album of covers could be so powerful and yet ful of restrain. Smith approaches each song as if the very exsistance of the song depends upon it. From the india flavored 'Are You Experienced?' to the closing piano chimes of 'Pastime Paradise' Patti makes these songs touch the listener the way they have infected her brain. Songs like the already freindly 'Everybody Wants To Rule The World' grab ahold of the auidence and make them realise the importance of the lyrics and their plea for political understanding. 'Gimme Shelter' already in history as one of rocks great songs is stripped to the bare and yet manages not to lose the potencey of the songs anti-war lyric. 'White Rabbit' is transformed into a testomonial to the great Grace Slick, while 'Soul Kitchen' is sung as though Smith herself knew it had to be done. 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' is completly whitnes to a cultural epiphany and injected with banjos and a down home souther porch feel and still manages to hit you in the gut the same way it did in 1992 originaly. Lenny Kaye will forever be an overlooked master at the guitar and its a shame because the man plays better then many could hope to. Tony Shanahan is an acomplished bass player and pianist, and Jay Dee Daugherty is instrumental to the band as he is a phenomonal percussionist. Flea and the amazing Tom Verlain both make guest apperances here on 'Gimme Shelter' and 'White Rabbit' adding nice flavor to the album. Patti Smith herself sings with enough passion to as cliche as it sounds carry an entire album of reciting the phone book. She makes you believe these are her songs and after listening clearly some of them did in fact become hers. With snippets from poems Smith has written entered into a few of the songs she does manage to throw as much Smith attitude in as possible. Cover albums are always fun but this one is more then fun...its essential.

Apr 27, 2007 20:04:54

Review 2 of 3

0 of 1 found this comment useful ( 0% )

4of 5 Stars

I can’t say that I hear the voices of Blake, Rimbaud, and Byron while listening to this CD, but Patti Smith channels their “spirit” when performing the original works of other artists. Favorite track: Gimme Shelter

Apr 24, 2007 16:42:09

Review 3 of 3

0 of 1 found this comment useful ( 0% )

3of 5 Stars

As much as I love her other work, I'm going to have to go ahead and say this is a mundane way to make a covers record. It's just boring. It does have some fierce moments but it's just not as good as I was expecting it to be.

Apr 23, 2007 18:26:43