Why Patti Smith Matters

This concise book is one of a series, Music Matters ("Short Books about the Artist We Love"), offering brief but serious examinations of the work of musicians and bands, published by University of Texas Press/Faber & Faber. In this one, published in 2022, music journalist Caryn Rose discusses the career, work and life of the musician and writer Patti Smith, including her music (records and live performances), her poetry, memoirs and other activity.

This book includes some biography of Patti Smith and some memoir of the author as a fan, but the focus is on Smith's working life, from performance poetry and then music in 1970s New York City, fame, touring, stepping back from public life and then returning.

Caryn Rose writes about the show more records Patti Smith released, her concerts, tours and TV appearances. She quotes Patti Smith's views and a range of critical responses throughout, all backed up by 12 pages of endnotes (to just over 200 pages of text). This sounds a bit dry but I found the book readable and interesting and quite like the academic substance and it made me want to hear more of Patti Smith's music and reread/read her memoirs. Sadly there are no illustrations or photographs, but I suppose these would have increased the production costs of this book.

Biography is mixed here with personal memoir - Caryn Rose's accounts of attending punk and rock gigs from the age of 15. She reflects on the issue of feminism and Patti Smith - this is a woman who has not conformed to many of the stereotype expectations of women in the music industry, who has faced prejudice and done her own thing - why is she reluctant to identify as a feminist, and wary of being judged as a woman? Rose says she can understand some of this but is also rather frustrated by some of Patti Smith's views. This complicated and thought provoking discussion is a part of the book I really liked.

I have only read one other book in the series, on Marianne Faithfull - I would love to borrow/read more of them. show less

Patti Smith is a treasure. Caryn Rose reminds us why in this book that is part biography, part analysis, and part personal memoir. It's refreshing to see Patti's world through Caryn's eyes. While I know quite a bit about Patti's life and music, it was impactful to learn what it is like to experience Patti's artistry and humanity from a woman's perspective. Caryn enters Patti's world with a lens and a POV that helped me understand just how revolutionary Patti is.

Yet, Caryn confirms (as I have gleaned from her work and her conversations) that Patti is a humble, kind, down-to-earth person. Someone you could share a cup of coffee with and not feel the intimidation of a rock legend, but the humanity of an empathic soul.

I also appreciate show more reading Caryn's insights on Patti's work, much as I have enjoyed reading Rob Sheffield's personal take on David Bowie's career ("On Bowie"). I've seen criticism leveled here and there when - with this book and others - writers provide personal perspectives. Caryn does a fine job of celebrating Patti while also pointing out work that may not have resonated with her, alongside the transformative tracks, albums, and poetry. She obviously loves and admires Patti, but can also speak to what may not have worked as well as intended during her storied career.

As the book draws to a close, Caryn laments that Patti's time as a touring/recording artist may be coming to an end, as she has been less active in the past three years or so. And yet, Patti keeps surprising us...so we'll see. I hope she'll feel compelled to offer more words, more stories, more shamanistic shouts of joy and grief. I hope Caryn, too, will keep offering up her insights on musical artists who matter most to her. show less

Made me buy some used copies of just kids and m train, also gonna go listen to some of Patti’s music!