The opening song to 'Banga' re-introduces Smith with ‘Amergio’. Describing the track as “our overture, contemplating the exploits of navigator Amergio Vespucci, from whom America got its name. I imagined Vespucci coming to the New World with great expectations that they would convert the natives, only to find himself utterly transformed by the purity of the land and people” Patti Smith explains in the album’s sleeve notes. Including spoken-word aspects and the poetically driven lyrics she is so well known for, (Smith was once brilliantly described as a ‘Rimbaud with Marshall amps’) she commands the first track with her powerful voice running parallel to rhythmic, stabbing guitars and strings.
 Patti Smith has apparently been "plotting" 'Banga' since March of 2008 while finishing an instillation dedicated to Rene Daumal for Smith’s very own exhibition at the Cartier Foundtion in Paris. If you’re familiar with Patti’s history, you’ll know that her work encompasses more than that of a musician. As well as being coined the ‘Godmother of Punk’, she was named ‘Commander of the order der Arts et des lettres’ by the French Minister of Culture in 2005, won the National Book Award for her memoir ‘Just Kids’ in 2010, and to remind us of her importance within music again – she won the Polar Music Prize in 2011, after already having been conducted in to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. Not bad for a punk rocker.
Second offering from 'Banga' is ‘April Fool’, inspired by books such as ‘The Master and Marguerita’ by Mike Bolgakov and ‘Dead Souls’ and ‘The Overcoat’ by Nikolai Gogol. ‘April Fool’ is “a nod to Gogol and the rusted bike of Milos” according to Smith. Managing to sound almost pop with prog influences, this second track is gentle and melodic – though perhaps settling down dynamically a little early on in the album.
Third track ‘Fuki-San’ was written as “a call of prayer to the great mountain for a protective cloak of love” for those who experienced the Tohoku earthquake on March 11th, 2011. ‘Fuji-San’ contains echoing vocals and reverb-driven drums to conjure up imagery of mountainous scenery, before launching into the more familiar territory of almost U2 – sounding rock. For fans of Patti Smith’s prime era, this track might be the most accessible on the album so far – combining her poetic words with thrashing drums and loud guitars.
Next, we’re met with the gentle ‘This Is The Girl’ which sees Smith crooning along to floating, melodic instrumentation. She sings about Amy Winehouse here, after being saddened by the singer’s death in 2011. Patti thought it was the kind of song Amy might like, but was also a song she wishes she never had to write.
Title track ‘Banga’ starts more aggressively compared to its previous track, and carries on in a more driven and upbeat manner. It seems as though ‘Banga’ could well continue to be a favourite at any live performances – exciting and pounding. “Banga expresses the camaraderie I have experienced with my band and our people – unbridled love and loyalty – the true canine spirit” she explains in the sleeve notes.
‘Maria’ brings the energy levels back down – a sadder sounding song, the lyrics were written “in the wake of the passing of the French actress Maria Scheider” whom Smith had met in 1976 while touring her iconic album 'Horses'.
‘Mosaic’ again includes some more prog and slightly Medieval influences in parts, while ‘Tarkovsky (The Second Stop Is Jupiter) has a more modern sound. Experimental, rhythmic and at times almost jazz-influenced music accompanies Patti Smith’s heightened speech style poetry. Smith’s powerful voice is especially powerful here – deep and commanding against less intrusive melodies. Becoming more rhythmic and intense throughout, ‘Tarkovsky’ swells excitedly and then lets out to the smooth cross over sounds of ‘Nine’. ‘Nine’ was written in Puerto Rico “in a field beneath the blinding sun, where Johnny Depp was filming the cock fight scene for The Rum Diary”. Smith wrote the ballad for him as a birthday gift, and the imagery does certainly conjure up scenes set in the blinding sun. The stories Patti Smith has to tell of her experiences while writing the songs featured on 'Banga' are worth getting hold of the sleeve notes alone.
‘Seneca’ is a gentle, swaying lullaby – displaying a more subtle, quivering aspect of Patti Smith’s vocals, while ‘Constantine’s Dream’ is darker. Improvised lyrics are themed on an image on a postcard: “a detail of an unidentified painting of a conquistador and a young page, dressed in a white tunic and red boots, guarding a sleeping king.” Smith misplaced the postcard, but noted that the image still haunted her. This track builds with strings and verying rhythms, creating a more aggressive approach, before exploding into a whirlwind of drums, guitars, frantic strings and exasperated vocals. At ten minutes and twenty seconds, this track is set to take the listener on a journey.
Finally, ‘After The Gold Rush’ takes a more traditional singer / songwriter approach with both the hoice of instrumentation and melodies. Representing a new beginning, the song – and therefore the album – comes to a resounding close with the voices of Smith’s children accompanied by others. “All our children, the hope of the world, embarking on adventures of their own”.
The storied behind Patti Smith’s experiences of creating 'Banga' are mesmerising; the cultural experiences she has been through, as well as her research in to art and historical figures means that she takes influence from places other musicians never dare to glimpse. 'Banga' contains some of the most diverse and interesting musical devices and poetry of any albums being released at the moment. This is an important part of Patti Smith’s artistic legacy.
Patti Smith UK & Ireland Tour Dates are as follows:
Tue September 4th 2012 - O2 Academy Newcastle, Newcastle
Wed September 5th 2012 - ABC, Glasgow
Fri September 7th 2012 - Manchester Academy, Manchester
Sun September 9th 2012 - O2 Academy Leeds, Leeds
Mon September 10th 2012 - Cambridge Corn Exchange, Cambridge
Wed September 12th 2012 - Brighton Dome, Brighton
Thu September 13th 2012 - The Troxy, London
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