Patti Smith opened yesterday the Byblos Festivals 2008 in Jbeil in the presence of the Lebanese President Michel Sleiman, Joe Sarkis Minister of tourism, Jihad Azour Minister of Finance and many other public figures.
Crowd rushed to the stage when Patti Smith sang "Because the night" Photo by: iloubnan.info
Along the Mediterranean shores of Jbeil, the stage lit when the legendary artist Patti Smith came to stand and greet her crowd. The singer voiced her happiness repeatedly for being in Beirut and dedicated the third song Grateful to the audience “Because we are grateful to be here” said Smith.
Patti Smith, recognized for her poetic exceptional lyrics, didn’t miss out yesterday to enlighten the concert with her moving words: “My heart seeks other hearts, the heart seeks and does not know…Love one another, it’s our only salvation”.
Later Patti Smith endorsed her respect to the Lebanese culture for its endurance along its constant restoration of itself “This song is for the city of Beirut, because it’s the city of regeneration” Stated Patti and the lyrics went as follows: “When I came in Beirut… Every moment I’ve been here the people have welcomed me”. The singer is well informed of Lebanon which didn’t come as a surprise to the audience for she is known as a great supporter of the Middle East. This support and compassion were evident in the emotive song Qana she composed for the martyrs of the 2006 massacre in Qana, South of Lebanon. Smith dedicated the song “to every mother and father who lost their child in Qana”.
Qana’s lyrics: “The village is empty...the children are gone, and the mother rocks herself to sleep, let it come down, let her weep. The baby didn’t make it screaming to breathe….Must our Children Pay…ache? Qana the miracle is love…”
Patti then declared her apologies regarding the tragedy “I’m sorry that this song had to be written…But it’s important when these things happen that we speak out”.
The crowd cheered at every song she sang but went completely crazy when she performed “Because the night”. Fans hurried near the stage to salute her and sway along her famous song. Smith didn’t mind at all however she went down later on and greeted the front row figures along the fans. After performing “Because the night” Patti Smith wore the Palestinian scarf and said “This song is for everybody”.
Once rebellious once peaceful, the experienced singer and composer hummers life to the stage she rocks, with lyrics to blow your mind away. She speaks of love and wisdom of the heart with her revolutionary themes reflecting world politics, musical imagery and words to thrill every piece of your being.
