As a fan of a wide variety of popular (and not-so-popular) music from the 1950s (and sometimes even earlier) up through the present, one of my bucket list projects for years has been to put together a list of my 100 favorite songs of all time. At some point I decided that, once I got around to figuring that out, I could put it out on a blog, for the infinitesimally small proportion of the Internet world that might be interested. So, here we are. While the Top 100 will be a major focus, I also plan to post on a variety of other musical (and occasionally non-musical) topics, in which you may or may not be interested. (If a particular posting doesn’t ring your bell, you’re only a few clicks away from a dancing cat video on YouTube.)

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Pat DiNizio


http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2017/12/pat_dinizio_dead_at_62_smithereens.html
 
This one really hits me. Just yesterday I finally figured out my favorite Smithereens song and wrote it up in my blog. I had bought a ticket for their show at the Rams Head in Annapolis next month. Previously I had seen them twice: at Wolf Trap on 6/16/2011 (on a double bill with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes), and at WXPN’s XpoNential Music Festival in July of 2007. This was for me the best XPNFest lineup ever, as it also included James Hunter, Ryan Shaw, and Suzanne Vega. Vega appeared the same day as the Smithereens but a few hours later, so I had hoped that the band might bring her out to reprise her guest vocals on “In A Lonely Place”. Pat did mention the coincidence and song during their set, but confessed that “We shan’t be doing that one.” A small disappointment in an otherwise great day.
 
DiNizio was one of the most underappreciated songwriters of his time, just as the Smithereens were one of the most underappreciated bands. (And Jim Babjak remains one of rock’s most underappreciated guitarists.)
 
Other than their occasional ballads, their songs all had (in the words of Brett Milano) “big guitars, real-life lyrics and hooks a mile wide.” Although the sound ranged from light and poppy to heavy and ominous, the recipe was deceptively simple: start with a great lyric and melody, insert a killer hook at the beginning, add a searing Babjak solo for the bridge, and there you are. Works every time.
 
Perhaps the surviving band membets put it best in their tribute: "Pat had the magic touch. He channeled the essence of joy and heartbreak into hook-laden three minute pop songs, infused with a lifelong passion for rock & roll." All of the songs listed below can be found on their superlative (and cleverly named) Blown to Smithereens compilation. If you love rock & roll, get it now.
 
Favorite songs:
Behind The Wall Of Sleep
In A Lonely Place
Blood And Roses
House We Used To Live In
A Girl Like You
Only A Memory
Blues Before & After
Yesterday Girl
Strangers When We Meet
Beauty & Sadness
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2 comments:

  1. JFJanuary 10, 2018 at 5:53 PM

    A major loss for local Garden State music venues.

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  2. Mike RhoadsJanuary 10, 2018 at 8:18 PM

    I see there's a tribute concert this Saturday (1/13) at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank. Also will be live-streamed.
    https://officialsmithereens.com/5209/pat-dinizio-tribute-concert/

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