The Enduring Resonance of ‘Horses’

Fifty years after its release, Horses remains a landmark achievement, a poetic exploration of rock and roll as a path to personal salvation. Smith’s passion for this foundational work is undiminished. Bathed in iridescent light, she commanded the stage, a celestial figure reminding the audience that liberation and fulfillment are within reach. Yet, she’s equally grounded, radiating an impish energy and a playful spirit, even breaking into an impromptu watusi.

The minimalist staging – a silhouette against a stark black backdrop, illuminated by pure white light – was a deliberate choice, stripping away distractions and focusing attention on the music and the performers. Lenny Kaye and Jay Dee Daugherty, original members of the Horses lineup, provided a vital link to the energy of CBGB in 1975. Guitarist Jackson Smith, inheriting a musical legacy, delivered electrifying performances.

A Setlist That Defies Convention

The evening unfolded with a dynamic energy. “Gloria” exploded into a fist-pumping anthem, while “Free Money” retained its biting social commentary. It was during the epic “Birdland” that Smith truly connected with the present moment, delivering a searing indictment of contemporary politics with a raw, visceral intensity. Throwing her notebook aside and spitting on the floor, she transitioned into the song’s shamanic coda with a captivating force.

“Now we are going to flip over the record,” Smith announced with a mischievous grin, playfully suggesting a straightforward recreation of Horses. Instead, the setlist became a fluid exploration, incorporating “Elegie,” a poignant tribute to Jeff Beck, and culminating in the breathtaking “Land,” a phantasmagorical tale of redemption through music.

Reflecting on the album’s origins, Smith reimagined the narrative as a parallel to the birth of British punk, declaring, “Johnny walked the streets of London wondering who the fuck he was… until the people gave him the energy… for half a fucking century!” Returning to the opening line of Horses, she paused, flexing her biceps – a powerful symbol of self-reliance and unwavering strength.

A ‘Sister Band’ Tribute and a Controversial Guest

Following an intermission, the band returned to deliver a medley of songs from Television’s Marquee Moon, a fitting tribute from a “sister band” of the New York punk scene. Jackson Smith skillfully captured the essence of Tom Verlaine’s distinctive guitar work. However, the medley felt incomplete, leaving the audience yearning for Smith to join in and unleash her own energy on the material.

The set continued with a spirited rendition of The Byrds’ “So You Want To Be A Rock ’n’ Roll Star,” a self-aware dismantling of rock mythology. Smith’s storytelling shone during “Because The Night,” recounting the anxious wait for a late-night phone call from her future husband, Fred ‘Sonic’ Smith.

The arrival of Jesse Smith, Patti’s daughter, on keyboards added a touching familial element. However, the subsequent appearance of Johnny Depp as a guest guitarist proved to be a jarring misstep. His musical contribution was negligible, and his presence, given his controversial public image, detracted from the evening’s overall message. The unifying power of Smith’s closing anthem, “People Have The Power,” was undeniably diminished by the visible dissent within the audience.

Despite this stumble, Smith reaffirmed that Horses remains a powerful hymn to self-empowerment, and that rock and roll, at its core, is a spirit of self-determination. It’s a lesson she momentarily seemed to forget, but ultimately, the night’s triumphs far outweighed its miscalculations.

SET 1
Gloria
Redondo Beach
Free Money
Birdland
Kimberly
Break It Up
Elegie
Land: Horses / Land Of A Thousand Dances / Gloria (reprise)
SET 2
Television medley
So You Want To Be A Rock ’n’ Roll Star
Dancing Barefoot
Peaceable Kingdom
Because The Night
ENCORE
People Have the Power

What does it mean to truly take responsibility for your own destiny? And how can music serve as a catalyst for personal and political change?

Frequently Asked Questions About Patti Smith and ‘Horses’

1. What is the significance of the opening line, “Jesus died for somebody’s sins… but NOT MINE!” in Patti Smith’s work? This line is not a rejection of faith, but rather an assertion of personal responsibility and the power to forge one’s own path.
2. How has the album ‘Horses’ influenced subsequent generations of musicians? Horses is widely considered a foundational text of punk rock and has influenced countless artists with its poetic lyrics, raw energy, and unconventional structure.
3. What was the atmosphere like at the original CBGB shows where Patti Smith and her band first gained prominence? CBGB was a breeding ground for artistic experimentation, and Smith’s performances were known for their intensity, improvisation, and connection with the audience.
4. Why was Johnny Depp’s appearance at the Palladium concert controversial? Depp’s presence drew criticism due to his ongoing legal battles and controversial public image, overshadowing the message of empowerment that Smith had been conveying.
5. What role did Lenny Kaye play in the creation and performance of ‘Horses’? Lenny Kaye was Smith’s longtime collaborator and guitarist, and he played a crucial role in shaping the sound and arrangements of Horses.
6. How does Patti Smith blend poetry and rock music in her performances? Smith seamlessly integrates spoken word poetry, stream-of-consciousness lyrics, and raw emotional expression into her rock and roll performances.