Two Times Intro: On the Road with Patti Smith

by Michael Stipe

Photographer and REM frontman Michael Stipe followed friend and fellow musician Patti Smith on tour for two weeks in 1995. Two Times Intro is his intimate and evocative visual diary of her return to live performance, along with portraits of other cultural celebrities, such as Allen Ginsberg, who appeared with her. From 1975's Horses to 2007's Twelve, Smith's creative vision has been a singular, explosive catalyst for artists and musicians worldwide--including Stipe. As William S. Burroughs writes in the introduction, Patti Smith's "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 addition to text by Stipe, Smith (including new writings by both for 2011), and William S. Burroughs, there is also commentary from Thurston Moore, Lenny Kaye, Kim Gordon, Tom Verlaine, Oliver Ray, Paul Williams, Jutta Koether, Jem Cohen, Lisa Robinson, and Frances Yauch--all of whom have been inspired by Smith's work.

Genres: Music, Photography, Art, Nonfiction, Memoir, Contemporary

149 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 1998

About the author

John Michael Stipe is an American singer who is the lead vocalist for the alternative rock band R.E.M.. Stipe has become well-known (and occasionally parodied) for the "mumbling" style of his early career and for his complex, surreal lyrics, as well as his social and political activism. Stipe is in charge of the band's visual image, often selecting album artwork and directing many of the band's music videos. Stipe's work extends outside of the music industry, and he runs his own film production companies, C-00 and Single Cell Pictures.

Reviews

[Özlem Güzelharcan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patti Smith deyince bende akan sular duruyor. Kendisinin ruh ikizim olduğuna eminim.

İki Kere İntro, R.E.M'in solisti Michael Stipe tarafından derlenmiş, Patti Smith'in yıllar sonra yeniden müziğe dönüp turneye çıktığı zamanlara seslenen, siyah beyaz polaroid fotoğraflarla bezenmiş süpriz bir kitap. Fotoğrafçı Oliver Ray polaroid fotoğrafları rock'n roll'a benzetiyor; Hızlıdır, sonuç çabucak gelir, anında tatmin. Devam edebilirsen incelikli bir düzeye de ulaşabilirsin (eğer amaçladığın buysa)

Kitapta bir fotoğrafta Patti Smith sahne arkasında o sıcacık gülümsemesini takmış yüzüne, heyecanla sahneye çıkmayı bekliyor. Baş ucunda Michael Stipe var, saçlarını örüyor. Yanlarında ise ünlü beat Alan Ginsberg.

Ginsberg dışında kitapta fotoğraf altlarına not yazan isimlerden bazıları şunlar: William S. Burroughs, Tom Verlaine, Sonic Youth, Kim Gordon, Thurston Moore ve daha pek çok rock'n roll çocuğu..

Burroughs, Patti Smitt için şöyle diyor: "O sadece bir icracı değildir. O bir şamandır, gerçekliğin farklı aşamalarıyla bağlantısı olan biri."

Bu kitabı fonda Bob Dylan, REM ve Patti Smith dinleyerek okuyun.

[Jason Pettus · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Reprinted from the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography [cclapcenter.com]. I am the original author of this essay, as well as the owner of CCLaP; it is not being reprinted illegally.)

For those who don't know, the great small press Akashic Books was actually started by famed rock musician Johnny Temple; and so despite its more literary offerings as of late, this has kept Akashic still dedicated to putting out books by other musicians on a regular basis too. For example, take the photography book Two Times Intro: On the Road with Patti Smith, originally put out in 1998 by REM frontman Michael Stipe with another publisher, and just now being re-released in a gorgeous new oversized format, which consists basically of casual images shot by him during Smith's 1995 US tour with Bob Dylan, literally the first time she had been on the road since 1979. To tell you the truth, the photos themselves are merely serviceable at best -- lots of blurry black-and-white shots of exhausted-looking hipsters in florescent-lit back hallways of various music venues, not really anything you would even pay much attention to if not for all the famous people associated with it -- but that said, it's certainly a fascinating book precisely because of all the famous people associated with it (including appearances by Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso, Tom Verlaine, the members of Sonic Youth and more, all of whom showed up backstage at various stops on this tour), and the short text tributes to Smith by these people, scattered throughout the manuscript, are well worth your time too. Not really something to pick up unless you're an existing fan of Smith, but definitely an interesting acquisition if you are.

Out of 10: 8.2

[Nadin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely combination of some beautiful snapshots, lots of blurry pictures and personal texts by Michael and Patti themselves and by Kim Gordon, William Burroughs, Thurston Moore ...

[Jason Pettus · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Reprinted from the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography [cclapcenter.com]. I am the original author of this essay, as well as the owner of CCLaP; it is not being reprinted illegally.)

For those who don't know, the great small press Akashic Books was actually started by famed rock musician Johnny Temple; and so despite its more literary offerings as of late, this has kept Akashic still dedicated to putting out books by other musicians on a regular basis too. For example, take the photography book Two Times Intro: On the Road with Patti Smith, originally put out in 1998 by REM frontman Michael Stipe with another publisher, and just now being re-released in a gorgeous new oversized format, which consists basically of casual images shot by him during Smith's 1995 US tour with Bob Dylan, literally the first time she had been on the road since 1979. To tell you the truth, the photos themselves are merely serviceable at best -- lots of blurry black-and-white shots of exhausted-looking hipsters in florescent-lit back hallways of various music venues, not really anything you would even pay much attention to if not for all the famous people associated with it -- but that said, it's certainly a fascinating book precisely because of all the famous people associated with it (including appearances by Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso, Tom Verlaine, the members of Sonic Youth and more, all of whom showed up backstage at various stops on this tour), and the short text tributes to Smith by these people, scattered throughout the manuscript, are well worth your time too. Not really something to pick up unless you're an existing fan of Smith, but definitely an interesting acquisition if you are.

Out of 10: 8.2

[Kitty Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Title: "Two Times Intro: On the Road with Patti Smith"
Author: Michael Stipe
Published By: Akashic Books
Age Recommended: 17 +
Reviewed By: Kitty Bullard
Raven Rating: 5

[image]

Review: I am always fascinated by books of photography and some of my favorites are those that catch the famous in times of normalcy. This book by Michael Stipe of REM is one such book. Not only devoted to his great love of one of the most amazing female artists of all time, but also a phenomenal capturing of photographs taken throughout the tour; all the behind the scenes awesomeness that you rarely get the chance to see.

This book also contains some of the best memories from some of Patti’s greatest fans and peers. A great coffee table book and one that can bring back some of your own memories of Patti Smith and where you may have been the first time she captured your soul with her shamanic prescience as it drift through the speakers of a nearby radio on a hot summer day.

Synopsis: This book comprises Michael Stipe's intimate and evocative photos of Patti Smith, on tour in 1995, along with other cultural celebrities who appeared with her, such as Allen Ginsberg. In addition to text by Stipe, William Burroughs, and Patti Smith, there is also commentary from Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, Lenny Kaye, Tom Verlaine, and more.

Read more: http://www.greatmindsthinkaloud.probo...

[K M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this quite a bit, but the tiny print was a bit hard on the eyes!

[Grecia Astrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

En 1995, después de haberse retirado del mundo de la música para dedicarse a leer, escribir y cuidar de sus hijos, Patti Smith regresa a los escenarios abriendo los conciertos de Bob Dylan, para seguir superando el duelo por la muerte de su esposo.
Michael Stipe se dedica a fotografiar la gira en todo momento, vemos a una Patti Smith llena de vitalidad, esperanza y amor. En el libro se recogen anécdotas y dedicatorias de los amigos de Patti que nos permiten conocerla más como persona y no tanto como artista, vemos cómo ha inspirado a muchas personas y de formas muy diferentes.

Es un libro lleno de amor, esperanza, vitalidad y fotos de Patti Smith siendo feliz ✨

[beyz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patti Smith benim için çok önemli. Kendime açıklayamadığım hislerimi benim yerime kendisi kelimelere ve müziğine döken biri. Michael Stipe’ın bu fotoğraflı kitabında birçok insanın Patti’yi benim gördüğüm şekilde gördüğünü fark ettim; dağınık, anda gelen, anaç, sıcak ve soğuk. Cevabını çok iyi bildiğiniz ama aslında hiç bilmediğiniz bir bilmece. Kitap boyunca Patti’nin uzun zaman ortadan kaybolduktan sonra ellili yaşlarda sahneye dönüş hikayesine tanıklık etmek harikaydı.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Patti Smith and this is an interesting point in her life and career, touring with Bob Dylan after loss and grief. Weirdly Michael Stipe is documenting this. His photographs are black and white, ephemeral and sometimes abstract. Interesting enough, the text outshines them sometimes, but it's a nice piece, a moment in time.

[Julie York · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two Times Intro: In the Road with Patti Smith

I'm not sure how this book ended up in my Kindle library, but I'm glad that I got the opportunity to read it. I did find some misspellings in this book, but it was okay. It wasn't as good as M Train or Year of the Monkey.

[Volkan Kalay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patti Smith sadece bir icracı değildir, o bir Şaman’dır, gerçekliğin farklı aşamalarıyla bağlantısı olan biri.

[Alec Downie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful addition to display at the front of any rock n roll book collection.

[Hayley Houston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really cool and different perspective on Patti Smith and her incredible impact.

[Mboconnor31 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting as it explains how Patti Smith came out of her retirement from performing after a 16 year hiatus. Photos by Michael Stipe and a few words from various sources, including Patti, William Burroughs, Kim Gordon and assorted band members. Unfortunately, photos were not able to be enlarged making them difficult to view. Editing left a lot to be desired too, as there were numerous typing mistakes.

[明瑶 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sanata, aska ve muzige adanmis hayatlar. 20. yuzyila damgasini vuran buyuk isimler. Patti Smith'in esinin vefatinin ardindan sahnelere 20 yil sonra geri donusu ve bu ani kacirmak istemeyen ve buyuk bir Patti Smith hayrani olan Michael Stipe'in bu efsanevi donusu fotograflamasi. Enerji, anilar, muzik ve tutku dolu bir fotograf seruvenine hazir olun.

[Vi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remember the fucked up design sense of Raygun Magazine? This toned-down version of the magazine has lovely black and white photo-journalistic images of the first tour Patti Smith did after over a 20 year hiatus. This book is most meaningful to for fans of Patti Smith.

[Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book of photographs taken by Michael Stipe that chronicles the 1995 reemergence of Patti Smith and her tour with Bob Dylan after the death of Fred "Sonic" Smith. It's a must read for fans of Patti Smith.

[Tom Schulte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of this book is large, full page B&W Stipe photography from Smith's 1995 tour. The candid, unexpected and casual photos without caption make for a friendly and initimate meeting with Patti. Preface material does include text from Stipe, William S. Burroughs, Thurston Moore, and others.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A photographic journal by Michael Stipe (of REM) of Patti Smith. I know so many people who would love this more than I would. Yet, I still think it's pretty fascinating.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Michael is not only a gifted songwriter and singer but also a very good photographer!!!

[CD · Rating 4 out of 5]

(To be reviewed at length in the future)

Patti Smith on tour with Dylan. Photos & Commentary by REM's Michael Stipend & others.

Repeat.

(:goofy-sly-grin. ;) 2X intro. . .

[E.M. Murren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous tribute to Smith.