Both a stopgap release until Patti Smith writes another album's worth of material and a way to keep her name in front of the public after her highly publicized 2007 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this set of a dozen covers finds the singer/poet in an unusually reflective mode. Some of the sources are obvious for those familiar with Smith's influences (the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan), some less so (Paul Simon, Nirvana, Jefferson Airplane, Neil Young), and a few come out of left field (the Allman Brothers Band, Stevie Wonder, Tears for Fears). Smith's innate class and approach guarantees there's nothing awful here, but there also isn't much that stamps these versions with her own vision. She does little more than deliver the words in her unique spoken/sung voice and--except for adding a banjo and her own poetry to an acoustic "Smells Like Teen Spirit"--keeps the arrangements close to the originals. At times she seems distant from the material, running through the Doors' "Soul Kitchen" and Young's "Helpless" with an oddly soulless detachment. Likewise, her band seems to be on autopilot, playing with little emotional involvement or attempts to bring fresh interpretations to tunes that are, with the exception of Dylan's "Changing of the Guard," surprisingly unimaginative choices. Considering the raging and extreme overhaul Smith did on Van Morrison's "Gloria" and the Who's "My Generation" in her younger days, this quieter, gentler approach seems flaccid, even bland in comparison. --Hal Horowitz

when i bought this cd, a couple of years ago, i thought that it wasn't one of her best. well, now, listening to it again, i changed my idea: it's not so different from others patti's records, but the versions are quite different from the originals. so i enjoyed them very much. all the tracks are very good and full of feeling. patti sings almost all the track with great strongness, with the possible ecception of the last one, Stevie Wonder's Pastime Paradise (i don't like this song even in the original version).

It's encouraging to see our veteran music makers continuing to look for new challenges and on the face of it, Patti Smith recording some songs she rather likes sounds a million miles away from her past and a bit of a cop out.

Don't be decieved, this is a cracking album ~ not quite five stars, but well worth a full four. I admit that covering Tears For Fears might not sound very avant garde, but it just about works in this context (but only just). What catches the ear though are the superb Gimme Shelter and the simply exquisite and angst ridden Smells Like Teen Spirit (if you missed the 'Later With Jools Holland' online extra video of this you missed a real treat). Whatever your thoughts on Nirvana and that track, this version is capable of reaching the parts Curt Cobain couldn't and, arguably, is worth the cost of then album alone.

What is most gratifying is to see and hear a veteran performer step outside of the fan's expectation and release an album because she enjoys the songs. Not everyone's cup of tea, but if you open yourself up to this album, you will be richer for it.

At any age, nevermind sixty, this is a triumph. Respect.

I was initially disappointed on hearing that Patti's new album would be all cover versions,surely the last artistic resort for someone whose muse has fled ?
However,on actually listening to the album it was a very pleasant surprise.The opening track , Jimi Hendrix's "Are You Experienced" is a revelation , dragging this song away from its 60s associations and bringing it bang up to date. That sets the tone for the rest of the record really with "Gimme Shelter","Teen Spirit",and "Soul Kitchen" being highlights.
There are some surprises , Tears For Fears , Paul Simon , Stevie Wonder and The Allman Bros Band not being artists you would normally align with Patti Smith.However these versions work because the songs and the interpretations are strong.I don't agree with previous reviewers who have said that the album lacks passion.
Patti Smith has always mixed cover versions with original material since Van Morrison's "Gloria" opened her first album.So my advice is to give it a listen and you won't regret it

I have always rated Patti smith as an artist, her albums and performances are often patchy, but always engaging and passionate. So I have always bought her albums without bothering to read reviews.

Twelve is a huge dissapointment, it is passionless and tame. Most surprising is the weak choice of songs, mostly ones that we have heard so many times that they are over familiar or you can hear the original while listening to the cover, with this in mind, it needs a great cover version offering up something new. What we get is a pretty basic run through without much care and hardly any new arrangement. Dylan's changing of the guard, cries out for the originals gospel accompaniment, and inclusions such 'everybody wants to change the world' and 'white rabbit' are just bizarre.

I'm invariably underwhelmed by Patti's albums and I'm not the biggest fan of her recordings, no matter how great she is live. I always want to be delighted but find the stuff patchy and so rarely am. Great tracks mixed up with lesser offerings and fillers. Even the long heralded "Land" best-of album seriously disappointed me.

So it was with some trepidation I borrowed this off a friend. However it is great. Immediately accessible, not difficult, that beautiful strange but familiar vibe you can only get off covers albums. All the tracks have a neat Patti twist, some more than others - Teen Spirit, Within you Without you (?) and White Rabbit for example. Also expect the unexpected - Boy in the Bubble, Are you Experienced, Gimme Shelter and that Tears for Fears track?!? I wish more of Patti's stuff was this playable. If this is self indulgent then more please.