“I will now sing to you the 2013 song of the year,” Patti Smith said at her 67th birthday concert last week in NYC, then launched into a moving – not to mention unexpected – cover of Rihanna‘s “Stay.” Never one to cover a pop song ironically, Smith and pianist Tony Shanahan delivered the lyrics with poise and purpose, even when nerves caused her to forget a few of the words partway through.
The set that also included a few more obvious covers – a couple tributes to Lou Reed of course, plus her new version of John Lennon’s “Beautiful Boy” (as well as Michael Stipe delivering her a birthday cake). Watch the Rihanna video, then download MP3s of them all in better quality below.
MP3: Patti Smith – Stay (Rihanna cover live at Webster Hall 12/30/13)
MP3: Patti Smith – Heroin (The Velvet Underground cover live at Webster Hall 12/30/13)
MP3: Patti Smith – Perfect Day (Lou Reed cover live at Webster Hall 12/30/13)
MP3: Patti Smith – Beautiful Boy (John Lennon cover live at Webster Hall 12/30/13)
Check out more Patti Smith at her website.
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