Posts Tagged by Listening

Apparently I went to a different Patti Smith show last night than every one else in this town.

Here’s Culturemap’s review, and 29-95′s recap.

I didn’t give her a negative review, per se. I just said that she seemed a little lost when it came time for her to speak off the cuff. However, she was like Jekell and Hyde (in the best possible way) when she’d switch from ad libbing on stage to performing her music or reading her written work. Her singing voice sounds as good, if not better, than it did 30 years ago.

I still think she’s amazing — but I found it tacky and awkward that she flubbed not once but twice the name of the organization who brought her to Houston, especially since she’s known the founding director since 2003. I was also unmoved by her “spontaneous” group-sing of “Because The Night” since six months ago I posted a video of her doing the exact same thing in London. On one hand, she has been traveling extensively in support of her book, but on the other hand, she’s also a 30-year music veteran who has gone on dozens of tours and played hundreds of concerts, so that excuse doesn’t entirely fly with me. BUT WHATEVER. Apparently it’s a sin to even remotely criticize her, since I’m the only blogger in Houston who did and I’ve gotten railed on my überfans for doing so.

So, in penance to all the fans who couldn’t be there last night, here is my paraphrased version of the heartbreaking story she told about Jeff Buckley:

Smith said Buckley was a die-hard perfectionist, never completely satisfied with his work, which he felt was never complete. Buckley sang on Smith’s album “Gone Again.” They recorded together at Electric Ladyland studios, and when it was Buckley’s time to sing his voice just lifted the entire room. Patti and the others in her band were so moved by his talent and Patti spoke about how she especially was inspired by his performance.

Later, Patti found him in the green room, laying on the couch weeping. She asked him what was wrong and he replied to her, “I just wish I could have done it better.”

I remember reading a few years ago on Metafilter that tons of people who had gone to SXSWi came home sick. They jokingly called it SxSARS. After going to SXSW for the first time I understand. Only this week have I felt back to my normal self and not so affected by my lack-of-sleep hangover.

You can read all of The Press’ coverage on the Village Voice’s collective SXSW blog. Here’s my Thursday recap, Friday recap, Saturday recap and my favorite showcase.

Favorite WTF moment: CLH and I went plebian-style. We had no badges and no wristbands* so we had to wait in line for 45 minutes at a one-in/one-out show where the headliners were Ray Davies and Roky Erickson with Okkervil River, all the while big shots with credentials got to walk right on in. A chatty Australian guy was in line in front of us and was being super entertaining and friendly so when I noticed he had a wristband I pointed out to him that he should just go on in. Half an hour later he was getting tossed out by security, along with another dude who was kicking the air like a girl, presumably for being a drunk doofus. CLH and I then tried sheepishly to disassociate ourselves from him, as if we’d be judged for having a 10-minute conversation with a stranger in line.

That wasn’t the WTF moment though. Finally we got in and the place was packed. Davies had just started playing so we tried to push our way through the crowd to the middle. Now, we aren’t assholes. We weren’t trying to rush the stage or anything, just get a decent viewing spot. We ended up settling in the middle, about halfway between the front and the back of the venue. When we stopped, this middle-aged guy next to us with a badge around his neck was using his hands to kind of shoo us away. I had Hearos in and couldn’t hear what the guy was saying so I asked “WHAT?” I still couldn’t hear him so I took the Hearos out. “What? What? WHAT?” He looked agitated, but I though he was just trying to yell over the music until I realized what he was saying:

“Who do you think you are?! You can’t just walk right in here and stand here. Go find your own place to stand. Fuck off!”

I see this is the first concert you’ve ever attended, sir. Umm… yes I can. That’s what people DO at shows. It’s general admission, dude. Just ‘cuz you dropped $700 on some laminated paper doesn’t mean you don’t have to commune with the oi polloi here in the pit.

Then he kind of like moved all around to give himself a 1-foot protective barrier of space, which was the funniest part of all. And then, about 30 minutes into the 2-hour show, he and his Affliction-clad female companion left, and I took his spot.

*But we did have kick-ass VIP access to the VVM party, and thus, free tacos and open bar.

Hi. Remember me? I used to blog around here sometimes.

Here’s the deal. School is kicking my ass. I want to quit, but I’m not going to. I’m just telling you so I can air the frustration. I’m on Spring Break right now but I can’t even relax because I have two tests on my first day back, and two papers due in my first week. Plus I have to start (and finish) Moby Dick. You understand.

The most frustrating part of all this is that I’m leaving in, like, half an hour for Austin to cover SXSW for the Houston Press. So I’ll have no time to work on homework (except for in the car) because I’ll be too busy trying to see as many of the 1,700 bands who have infested the city in the next 96 hours. That’s almost 18 bands an hour!

Please stay tuned to the Press’ SXSW blog for my updates on my mental state of being, or, if you’re really brave, follow me on Twitter.