Radio Ethiopia

Radio Ethiopia
Studio album by Patti Smith Group
Released	October 1976 (1976-10)
Recorded	1976 (1976), Record Plant Studios, New York
Genre	Punk rock
Length	41:15 (original) 48:10 (1996 reissue)
Label	Arista
Producer	Jack Douglas
Patti Smith Group chronology
Horses (1975) Radio Ethiopia (1976) Easter (1978)
Singles from Radio Ethiopia
"Pissing in a River" Released: 1976 (1976) "Pumping (My Heart)" Released: 1976 (1976) "Ask the Angels" Released: 1977 (1977)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Robert Christgau	A− [2]
Creem	(not rated) [3]
Rolling Stone	(not rated) [4]

Radio Ethiopia is an album by the Patti Smith Group, released in October 1976 on Arista Records.

History

Radio Ethiopia was the followup record to Smith's widely acclaimed debut Horses. In interviews surrounding the album's release, Smith explained that she chose producer Jack Douglas in hopes of making the album a commercial success. The album was negatively received when it was released and Smith was attacked by critics for what they perceived to be laziness, self-indulgence and selling out.

The title track of the album is one of Smith's most notorious songs, almost legendary for appearing to be "10 minutes of noise". Critics often described live renditions of the song as negative moments of Smith's concerts. Patti herself spoke highly of the track and of how the lyrics refer to Arthur Rimbaud's dying wishes. Arguments both for and against the song have been advanced by critics, fans and music listeners over whether the song truly is an example of the Patti Smith Group's boundary-pushing or merely self-indulgence. Critics in negative reviews cited that Douglas' production placed more emphasis on creating a heavy sound through numerous guitar parts which smothered Smith's vocals^[5] and, at times, lamented that all of the album's songs were originals of the group (Smith co-wrote much of the album with bassist Ivan Kral, the band member keenest for commercial success ^[6]). "Ain't It Strange" and "Distant Fingers", the latter co-written with Smith's long-time boyfriend Allen Lanier, had both been staples of the Group's concerts long before the recording of Horses.

The album's cover photograph is by Judy Linn, the back of the album features a photo by Lynn Goldsmith. The album was dedicated to Arthur Rimbaud and Constantin Brâncuşi. The back cover of the album bears the legend: "Free Wayne Kramer", who at the time was incarcerated in Kentucky following his conviction for dealing cocaine. "Pissing in a River" was released as a single the same year. It was also featured in the 1980 movie Times Square.

In 2001, the album listed in Mojo's "Ultimate CD Buyers Guide".^[7]

Track listing

All songs were written by Patti Smith and Ivan Kral, except where noted.

Side one

1. "Ask the Angels" – 3:07
2. "Ain't It Strange" – 6:35
3. "Poppies" (Smith, Richard Sohl) – 7:05
4. "Pissing in a River" – 4:41

Side two

1. "Pumping (My Heart)" (Smith, Kral, Jay Dee Daugherty) – 3:20
2. "Distant Fingers" (Smith, Allen Lanier) – 4:17
3. "Radio Ethiopia" (Smith, Lenny Kaye) – 10:00
4. "Abyssinia" (Smith, Kaye, Sohl) – 2:10

"Radio Ethiopia" and "Abyssinia" were recorded live on 9 August 1976.

Bonus track (CD reissue)

• "Chiklets" – 6:23

Personnel

Band

• Patti Smith – vocals, guitar (Fender Duo-Sonic), design
• Lenny Kaye – guitar (Fender Stratocaster), bass, vocals, mixing
• Jay Dee Daugherty – drums, percussion, mixing, consultant
• Ivan Kral – bass, guitar
• Richard Sohl – keyboards, synthesizer, piano

Additional personnel

• Bob Irwin – mastering
• Brian Sperber – engineering
• George Marino – mastering
• Jay Messina – mixing, engineer
• Lynn Goldsmith – photography
• Nancy Greenberg – design
• Rod O'Brien – assistant engineer
• Sam Ginsberg – assistant engineer
• Vic Anesini – mastering

Charts

Release history

Notes

External links

• Radio Ethiopia at Allmusic