Songs and Sounds

About Songs and Sounds

Songs and Sounds is the debut solo album by Pat DiNizio of The Smithereens, released in 1997 on Velvel Records. Recorded during a hiatus from The Smithereens, the album features bassist J. J. Burnel, drummer Tony "Thunder" Smith and saxophonist Sonny Fortune billed as the Pat DiNizio Foursome. The album is produced by Smithereens veteran Don Dixon. Musically, the album is not a major departure from the jangly, Beatlesque power pop that The Smithereens were known for, though on a few songs DiNizio explores jazz, soundtrack and torch song influences. The album opens and closes with two songs from classic films: the melancholy "Where I Am Going (Jennie's Song)" from Portrait of Jennie (1948) and the jazz-tinged "I'd Rather Have the Blues" from Kiss Me Deadly (1955). In 2005, Songs and Sounds, expanded with rare demos and live recordings, was included on the deluxe edition reissue of The Smithereens' God Save The Smithereens album. more »