That happened in 1996 when she toured for her Gone Again album comeback -always gone too soon again. In spite of my efforts to get a good seat, I had bought what remained, a terrible one in the last row, far up on the Olympia upper balcony. I saw Patti Smith not like in Pantin. I saw her like a tiny point lost on a far away stage. But then she started singing, and no mistake : the giant was there. Again.

Today, there is this exhibition. horsesvisions.
It’s been forty years that Birdland has been haunting me. May be now shall I have the honor and the privilege to release what Patti Smith’s art created in me.

Listen.
Patti Smith said “hi”. She said “hi” as an introduction in Wave, the title track from the Wave album (and a tribute to Pope John Paul I). Listen.
She goes Hi…  A small silence. Some hesitation. Shyness. Unsure. Very far from the dark venomous High Priestess of Punk Rock. Just a human being.  Hi. I have always been moved by the way she said and repeated “hi” there. I do not know why. Perhaps because she sounds like a little girl. In quest. Insecure.

Hi, hi, I was running after you for a long time
I, I was watching you for, actually, I've watched you for a long time ("Wave" - "Wave" album / 1979)

Actually, Madame, I have been watching you for a long time too.

March 3rd, 2015