Patti Smith is not only a great performer, she is a shaman – mat is. someone in touch with other levels of reality.
Her effect on the audience is electric, comparable to voodoo or umbanda rituals, where the audience members become participants, and are literally lifted out of themselves. In many cases, however, they are destined “to return to ordinary consciousness” – to be once again the single mother of three small children, or to follow the animei goals of the street hustler… but the shaman has, at least, provided a respite.
William S. Burroughs
July 4. 1997.