An Enhanced Version of the Official Cyber-Chat Transcript - Part I of II

[A Cyber-Chat with Patti Smith on Rocktropolis, November 20, 1997]

PART I of II.

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The *Official* Version of the Transcript, is Abridged in that *Only* the questions from the "Moderator" are transcribed; Whereas *All* of Patti's Answers are given.

http://www.aristarec.com/aristaweb/PattiSmith/patti_chat.html

But, here's a Direct Link: Patti Smith / Rocktropolis Chat

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The Following, then, is Collage - Consisting of those parts of the Chat which I was able to Capture Independently, Pieced Out where Necessary with the Appropriate Material from the *Official* Transcript - To Produce a Complete, if still somewhat UnSatisfactory, Document.

Note: Certain Questions Not in the *Official* Transcript have now been provided. These may be distinguished by their Format, and by the Initials of the Person providing them - eg, Fiona Webster; Thus:

[Q: ...? ] - FW

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...

Attempting to connect to The Buzz Cafe...

Connecting to host 208.223.143.65 ...
Connected

The room you requested is currently full.
Welcome to Rocktropolis Forum # 2.
Welcome to the Rocktropolis Forum, where moderated chats with very special guest take place. To forward your thoughts to the moderator, type "/ask" followed by your question or comment.
Duplicate room # 2
Exits: groove, stage, buzz and lounge

You see here: berto

Logged in now: berto, Bill, Buzz, Catman, Creation, dol6, fiona webster, heini, j.BOLt, jenifer4, luvsstones, mariposa, medusa, mike morrissey, Moderator, naib, neoboy, Pebbles, sonic5 and teflon

j.BOLt tells naib, "Glad to see You here..."

Creation says, "hey folks"

j.BOLt says, "HiHo All"

Creation says, "what's going on?"

j.BOLt says, "Waiting Is?"

Creation says, "Patti!"

Logged in now: berto, Bill, Buzz, Catman, Creation, dickies_man, dol6, fiona webster, heini, j.BOLt, jenifer4, luvsstones, mariposa, medusa, mike morrissey, Moderator, naib, neoboy, Pebbles, rfritts, sonic5, teflon and Toni Volchok

Creation says, "This is going to be happening soon..."

j.BOLt says, "Have I got time to run getta Coffee?"

Creation says, "I'll call you when it starts"

Moderator says, "hi folks. please welcome patti smith. you can continue to submit your questions as we chat."

j.BOLt says, "Right Mouse-Buttn / Save to File"

PATTI says, "Hello everybody from Patti!"

Creation says, "Hey Patti!!"

j.BOLt says, "Hi Patti"

Creation says, "Patti just entered..."

**** Here I Lost the Feed the First time - for at least 10 Minutes ****

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OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT,
EXCERPT #1:
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PATTI: Hello everybody from Patti!

Moderator: folks, hang on for a second while we work out one last technical detail.
Moderator leaves

Moderator enters
Moderator: okay, we're back now. hi patti.

PATTI: Hello again...Patti here!

Moderator: hi. first question: how's your son jackson's guitar playing coming along?

PATTI: Jackson has a strong work ethic in regards to his playing and practices everyday.

Moderator: a lot of folks seem to be interested in how to raise creative children. like this one...
Moderator: hang on folks. patti is now having technical difficulties. it'll just be a moment...

PATTI leaves

Moderator: almost there...

PATTI enters

Moderator: hi folks. patti is back...

PATTI: Anyway - sorry folks...and back to that question...

PATTI: Try and encourage them to equally respect both the creative intuitive aspect of art and the disciplines one must master in order to commit art. And dont worry - I was a daydreamer too!

[Q: What did you feed your kids for dinner tonight?]-FW

PATTI: Fruit, cheese, bottled water, vegetables and bread.

[Q: What influences were helpful to you when you were a teenager?]-FW

PATTI: I was inspired and encouraged by the energy of the Stones - they helped me get through difficult adolescent times.

[Q: Could you tell us about your relationship with Sam Shepard?]-FW

PATTI: I wrote a play called "Cowboy Mouth" w/ Sam in 1971. In that context he encouraged me to improvise w/ language and I still apply the things I learned in my performances.

Moderator: anything specifically?

PATTI: Improvisation.

[Q: [something about her early musical influences?] ]-FW

PATTI: Well Jim, In the early '60s jazz was extremely vibrant in the Philadelphia area and I was exposed to the music of Coltrane, Kirk & Monk. That music helped form my artistic cosmology.

[Q: How did you meet Lenny Kaye?]-FW

PATTI: I read an article he wrote about a cappella music in 1970 and was so taken with it I called to thank him for writing it and we became friends.

[Q: Did you have fun doing the recent CBGBs concerts?]-FW

PATTI: Yes. It was great fun, inspiring and the club has kept it's integrity.

PATTI: CBGB:It also gave us an opportunity to raise money for the Robert Palmer Health Fund. And remind Robert, that we were thinking of him and appreciated all his support as a writer and musician through the years. We were sorry to hear of his passing today and that makes the experience even more meaningful.

Moderator: for those who don't know, the famous writer robert palmer passed away. it's very sad...

[Q: Could you tell us what's happening with the spoken-word album that was supposed to have been released in by Tim/Kerr records?]-FW

PATTI: It was reading a did w/ Tony Glover playing harmonica in Minnesota in 71 - I'm not certain that it merits release but am considering it.

Moderator: patti, many writers credit you for launching the punk rock movement with Horses. was that your intention?

PATTI: Our intention was to create space for ourselves and future artists.

[Q: [something about whether she likes Horses or Radio Ethiopia better?] ]-FW

PATTI: I was attempting different things - I was more interested in improvising w/language on Horses and sound in Radio Ethiopia.

PATTI: I didn't read it.

[Q: What albums are you listening to right now? What books are you reading?]-FW

PATTI: Albums: John Coltrane Live at the Village Vanguard; Grateful Dead Fillmore East 2/11/69; Books: a biography of Paul Revere and The First Man by Albert Camus.

[NB: Italics added courtesy of FW.]

PATTI: Great work continues to inspire - only others can answer the second part of your question Phillip!

[Q: What do you think of Jim Carroll, and of the things he wrote in Forced Entries?]-FW

PATTI: I think that Jim Carroll is a fine writer and a good performer and I've never read "Forced Entries."

Moderator: and now a question from spain...

[Q: [I think this was a question about what she means by "outside of society"?] ]-FW

PATTI: For those creative and responsible enough to conduct their lives behind the social norm.

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OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT,
END EXCERPT #1:
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Attempting to connect to The Buzz Cafe...

Connecting to host 208.223.143.65 ...
Connected

The room you requested is currently full.
Welcome to Rocktropolis Forum # 3.
Welcome to the Rocktropolis Forum, where moderated chats with very special guest take place. To forward your thoughts to the moderator, type "/ask" followed by your question or comment.
Duplicate room # 3
Exits: groove, stage, buzz and lounge

You see here: Creation, guest65, jwd27, KyleL, RNusbaum and wknight

PATTI says, "For those creative and responsible enough to conduct their lives behind the social norm."

Moderator presents the speaker with question #72 from Buzz: Fiona Webster asks - What is the story with "Wild Leaves" (the book)? Will it be published? Will you be publishing the novels you wrote in detroit?

Logged in now: berto, Bill, bobnj, bruxyves, BUTCH09, Catman, Creation, dickies_man, dol6, egon, fiona webster, fjy, guest63, guest65, heini, j.BOLt, jenifer4, jwd27, kiddie, KyleL, mariposa, medusa, mike morrissey, Moderator, naib, neoboy, Nico, Patti, rfritts, RNusbaum, seano, sonic5, teflon, wknight and Zedd

PATTI says, "Hi Fiona! "Wild Leaves" will eventually be published by Norton. The title comes from a poem I wrote for Robert Mapplethorpe on his 40th birthday. The novels will probably come out by the year 2000."

Moderator presents the speaker with question #84 from guest63: A fan asks - Bob Dylan is said to be playing a benefit Dec. 8 at Irving Plaza/NYC. PS*G seems to have that date open; any chance that maybe....?

[NB: OK. This is the Advance Question that I submitted. So I Know they answered Some of 'em...j.BOLt]

PATTI says, "We have not been asked - if we are we will be glad to be of assistance."

Moderator says, "what was it like playing with dylan a couple years ago?"

PATTI says, "It was really inspiring. He was very encouraging and singing "Dark Eyes" w/ him was an experience I will always treasure."

Moderator says, "i know you just announced several upcoming tour dates. are there more after that into next year?"

PATTI says, "The last 2 weeks of January will be doing the West Coast. (dates will be posted)."

Moderator says, "great..." Moderator presents the speaker with question #85 from naib: Do you use some kind of technic for creativeness ? I mean meditation, or is only a gift of yours.

PATTI says, "Creation is equal parts inspiration and hard work."

Moderator presents the speaker with question #69 from Buzz: Ellen C. asks - Hi Patti, will Jackson be joining you again at the 9:30 Club in DC? One more question, if you had your chance to have a conversation with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?

PATTI says, "Not certain about Jackson - we'll have to see... I would talk to Stephen King."

guest65 says, "ask/ Patti, some of us babelistas are also Yoko Ono fans. Any chance you'll ever collaborate?"

[NB: I don't think She ever answered this one...j.BOLt]

Moderator says, "any reason why? you like scary stories?"

PATTI says, "I got a proposition for him."

Moderator says, "is it a secret?"

PATTI says, "It's between me, him and Michaelangelo."

Moderator presents the speaker with question #63 from Bill: Bee asks: 'Do you have any plans to make an album with Michael Stipe or with the whole REM band? I mean, not just one song but a whole album...? I really love the way your voice blends with Michael's. E-bow the Letter is a real favorite of mine. Beautiful job, Patti. :)'

PATTI says, "Thank you - There are no plans like that but I'm certain that Michael and I will continue to collaborate in the future. (He can be heard on our song "Last Call" on Peace & Noise!)"

Moderator says, "speaking of which..."

Moderator says, "peace and noise has been called a 'political' album. do you agree?"

PATTI says, "I believe that it addresses issues that concern us all. Hopefully it will inspire people who are more politically articulate."

Moderator presents the speaker with question #80 from guest63: Fiona Webster asks - "Come on into my kitchen" is so great, will there be a Patti blues album some day?

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GO TO PART 2 OF 2, which will begin with:

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OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT,
EXCERPT #2:
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Copyright © Arista/N2K 1997



Forward to Patti's Cyber-Chat - Part II
Back to Patti's Cyber-Chat - Part I
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