Patti Smith: At The Roxy Theatre

FIRST SHOW, first set on her first night in L.A., playing to a cold record company crowd, checking her out as a possible new phenomenon-- I heard Patti Smith under the worst possible conditions for her. She may semi-mock her cult following by wearing a "Cult Figure" T-shirt, but it is clear that Patti Smith feels most comfortable when able to develop a rapport with a crowd, and most nervous and vulnerable when that contact is denied her. But her attempts at bridging the performer-audience barrier this night were met by stony silence.