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Exclusive Video: Patti Smith Talks 'Twelve'

It's been more than 30 years since the release of Patti Smith's 'Horses' -- the debut album from an idiosyncratic punk icon who was determined to defy and redefine the rules of rock 'n' roll -- and as decades pass, this newly inducted Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is still gunning for two things: evolution and revolution.

This past Tuesday, Smith returned to her former home, the famed Hotel Chelsea in NYC, to celebrate the upcoming release of her latest album, 'Twelve,' which features all covers including the Rolling Stones' 'Gimme Shelter,' Neil Young's 'Helpless' and Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' (which she talks about in our exclusive video below). "This is the world debut of this song which means it's probably the worst rendition we'll ever do," she said of Tears for Fears' 'Everbody Wants to Rule the World' from a makeshift stage in the cramped Star Lounge. "I've been doing a lot of interviews and journalists ask me, 'Patti, why did you choose to cover this song?' And I say, 'Because I wanted to!'"

And so it goes.

"I always wanted to do a covers album, but I didn't really feel I had the range to do the kind of album I wanted to do," Smith tells Spinner. "I didn't know enough about singing and didn't have the range. As the project evolved, a lot of the songs on the [original] list I made didn't make the final cut, and a lot of songs that I didn't plan on doing wound up being the ones I chose."

Among the unexpected additions was 'Helpless,' which Smith performed alongside her band, including longtime guitarist Lenny Kaye and son, Jackson. "It's just a beautiful song about reflection, childhood, maturation," she says. "I didn't plan on recording it but we were in the studio late one night and there it was. Whenever I sing it, I feel emotional. I feel its beauty."

'Twelve' hits stores April 24.

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vince

congratulations Patti and band. Your video interview inspires such calm. Your speaking voice is always on the edge of poetry. Love the banjo! love you madly!

April 25 2007 at 10:44 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ivana

i adore patti!!!!!!!she s my god!!

April 13 2007 at 12:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
CandiceClay

Love Patti's Teen Spirit!

April 07 2007 at 10:06 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dennis Moore

Patti Smith will be performing on Imus, April 20th.

April 06 2007 at 7:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dennis Moore

have fun y'all at the BB on April 24th - y'luckybastards!

For those of us who have to be content with just the excitement of getting the CD, support your independent music store - 7" vinyl extra included at select sellers which has Patti covering:
A: A Perfect Day (Lou Reed)
B: Here I Dreamt I was an Architect (The Decemberists).
unfolding peace

April 06 2007 at 7:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply