Patti Smith fans have got a new collection of music to get around, with the release of a brand new live EP.
The set, recorded at the iconic Electric Lady studios in New York City, has been released in partnership with Spotify. It’s the first batch of material Smith has released since 2012’s Banga.
“We are very proud to be part of Spotify’s Live At Electric Lady series, our favourite recording studio,” the iconic singer said in a press release.
“It was a unique challenge and offered us an exciting and innovative platform. We are grateful to Spotify for their generous support and willingness to present a live performance with all its possibilities of risk and revelation.”
The EP features live renditions of classic Patti Smith cuts including ‘Ghost Dance’ and ‘Birdland’, as well as choice covers of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Blame It On The Sun’ and Bob Dylan’s ‘One Too Many Mornings’.
Of the covers, Electric Lady’s GM Lee Foster said, “Prior to recording, I had been discussing cover song options to present to Patti with Tony Shanahan, Patti’s MD and longtime bassist/pianist. We’d yet to mention to Patti that we’d hoped to record a cover during the session, so she was unaware at the time.”
“Days went by and Tony and I couldn’t find the right song together. Then, as we’d just begun to agonise over it, he called me excitedly and asked “is ‘Blame It On the Sun’ from Talking Book [Stevie Wonder’s 1972 album recorded at Electric Lady]?” I looked quickly to confirm and told him yes. For no reason at all that morning Patti had texted him to say that the song was stuck in her head and that she wanted the band to learn it. Kismet.”
Listen to Patti Smith Live At Electric Lady below:
