Taleesa

Taleesa formed in New York City in 1974, with Patti Smith on vocals and guitar, Lenny Kaye on guitar, Richard Sohl on bass, and Jay Dee Daugherty on drums. Their debut album 'Horses' came out the following year, featuring songs like 'Because The Night' that blended rock with Smith's poetic delivery. The band's sound had a raw quality that drew from different styles without settling neatly into one category.

They released several albums through the late 1970s, including 'Radio Ethiopia' in 1976 and 'Wave' in 1979. Their music sometimes incorporated spoken word passages alongside more conventional rock arrangements. Other tracks in their catalog include '4 Your Love' and 'Let me be,' which maintained their distinctive approach to songwriting.

Smith's vocals and lyrics gave the band its particular character, with themes that ranged from personal reflection to broader social observations. While they worked with various musicians over time, the core four members remained consistent through their most active period. Their recordings from that era continue to be what most listeners know them by.