Dream of Life (Remastered) Patti Smith

• 1People Have the Power05:09
• 2Going Under06:00
• 3Up There Down There04:49
• 4Paths That Cross04:19
• 5Dream of Life04:39
• 6Where Duty Calls07:48
• 7Looking for You (I Was)04:06
• 8The Jackson Song05:25
• Total Runtime42:15

Info for Dream of Life (Remastered)

Patti Smith had withdrawn from the world of rock after 1979s "Wave". When "Dream of Life" appeared in 1988, she had a new guitarist and husband in former MC5 guitarist Fred "Sonic" Smith, and a smoother sound that abandoned "Wave's" slickness. Though pigeonholed as disappointing on its initial release, "Dream of Life" is, in retrospect, a solid album with a lot to recommend it.

The album opens with the punchy "People Have the Power". However the song is a triumphant call to arms, featuring Smith's raspy, commanding vocals, with crisp drumming from Jay Dee Daugherty, and some spiky guitar work. Also of note is "Where Duty Calls," an analysis of the political situation in the Middle East that occasionally recalls Warren Zevon, though without that artist's knowing humor. "Looking for You (I Was)," is a straight-ahead pop song built on subtle hooks and Smith's literate lyrics, while "The Jackson Song" is an achingly pretty lullaby.

"The big difference between Patti Smith's four 1970s albums and this return to action after nine years lies in the choice of collaborator. Where Smith's main associate earlier had been Lenny Kaye, a deliberately simple guitarist, here her co-writer and co-producer (with Jimmy Iovine) was her husband, Fred "Sonic" Smith, formerly of the MC5, who played guitar with a conventional rock competence and who lent his talents to each of the tracks, giving them a mainstream flavor. In a sense, however, these polished love songs, lullabies, and political statements are not to be compared to the poetic ramblings of Smith's first decade of music-making -- she's so much...calmer this time out. But you can't help it. Where the Patti Smith of Horses inspired a generation of female rockers, the Patti Smith of Dream of Life sounds like she's been listening to later Pretenders albums and taking tips from Chrissie Hynde, one of her spiritual daughters. Dream of Life is the record of someone who is simply showing the flag, trying to keep her hand in, rather than announcing her comeback. Not surprisingly, having made it, Smith retreated from the public eye again until the '90s." (William Ruhlmann , AMG)

Patti Smith, vocals
Fred Sonic Smith, guitar
Richard Sohl, keyboards
Margaret Ross, harp
Jesse Levy, cello
Gary Rasmussen, bass
Kasim Sultan, bass
Bob Glaub, bass
Malcolm West, bass
Jay Dee Daugherty, drums
Hearn Gadbois, percussion
Sammy Figueroa, percussion
Crusher Bennett, percussion
Robin Nash, background vocals
Andi Ostrowe, background vocals

Recorded and mixed at The Hit Factory, New York and A&M Studios, Los Angeles
Mastered at Masterdisk, New York
Produced by Fred Smith, Jimmy Iovine

Digitally remastered

Patti Smith
Part-Punk, Part-Folk, but 100% rockstar, Patti Smith has proven herself to be an enduring legend within Rock & Roll. For her work as an early pioneer of the punk movement, Patti Smith was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. Also an author and an activist, Patti Smith maintains a relatively low profile, but still performs and records. Patti Smith tour dates are currently scheduled nationally. Use Eventful as your Patti Smith concert calendar.

The Chicago native moved to New York City in 1967 with no money and survived through near impoverished conditions to become a rock icon. After cultivating her poetic craft on the streets of New York City and Paris, Smith began to perform rock music in 1974 and was signed by Clive Davis in 1975. She released her debut album, Horses, in 1975 and started a musical revolution. Smith was at the forefront of the punk movement and was a frequent performer at the legendary CBGB. Smith released her biggest commercial success, Easter, in 1978; the album included the massively successful single "Because of the Night", and Smith toured aggressively.

Smith remained largely out of the spotlight in the '80s, preferring to raise her kids outside of the limelight. She reemerged in the mid-90s with Peace in Noise (1997) and Gung Ho (2000), both of which earned her Grammy nominations for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. In 2006, Smith returned to where it all began and performed a near four-hour concert at CBGB the night that the iconic club closed down. Smith has returned her attention to writing and won a National Book Award for her memoir, Just Kids, in 2010. Patti Smith is a rock legend whose music spans punk, folk, and politics.

This album contains no booklet.