Patti Smith Complete 1975-2006: Lyrics, Reflections & Notes for the Future

This is hardly a review. I purchased the hardcover edition the moment it was released. Her recent release of "Tramplin'" has reminded me...............Patti Smith is one our our greatest living Poets (along with Lou Reed, Roger Waters and others).....................If you don't already know that, buy this book !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Through the years I have always been frustrated by the lack of a lyric sheet with Patti Smith's albums. I thought her marriage of poetry and rock deserved better. And there were many parts of her songs that I just couldn't make out, what with her broad NY drawl, so this book came as a godsend. And yes, I was invariably wrong in my guessing! So to the book: excellent photographs, insightful annotations and those wonderful songs that work equally well on the printed page but really come alive with her music. Excellent design, typography, layout; highly recommended.

Patti Smith has put together an impecable collection of her lyrics. Yet unlike the majority of lyric books these days (they mostly look like text books that publishers just throw togehter) you can tell Patti was present and an integral part of each pages' layout. The lyrics scan like the poems they are. Each of the 150 mostly unpublised photographs are reproduced beautifully. This is a fine example of an artisit transcending one of their forms and creating an entirely new work. Thank you Patti

Over a year in compiling , this truely beautifully designed and executed volume spans three decades of the work of a great American artist.She has taken herself to task and delivered a very close look at her output of these times. A sister to her volume , Early Works , this really is inspirational . All who appreciate her fine exploratory albums should not hesitate to purchase this book.Spiced with great photographs and found fond rememberances ,this book is so much more. Though some pieces have not found thier way here. Smith says she just forgot the hand full of lyrics missing.I assume they will appear in a future volume. The notes of for the future segment is a new piece of poetry. I believe inspired ( in it's appearance here) by the Phtp fanzine and it's poetry segments. I hope that all who think about purchasing this great book do not hesitate.

If you lose all your records & cd's, if you have this book, you can hear in your mind Patti's HORSES & any other album/song you've lived with. I was moved to tears by the pictures of lost people, marked by a black triangle at the top corner of the page. This is a beautiful book, with lyrics & photos never seen before. Patti, you inspire us. We love your constant dedication to truth, prayer, moving onward, rebellion, kids (Jesse & Jackson!). May you live/love for 100 years! You seem to go away, & then you come back.