Sights and Sounds: Pat DiNizio, Otis Taylor, Amos Lee

It is the season of giving, with The Smithereens' Pat DiNizio, blues great Otis Taylor and singer-songwriter Amos Lee all set to celebrate 2012 in style. Here are highlights that Santa has dropped off in my inbox over the past day or so...

The Smithereens' Pat DiNizio Brings Rock History to Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas

Pat DiNizio , lead singer of The Smithereens, launches his latest show entitled Confessions of a Rock Star at Riviera Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. The production is a hybrid of a one-man show, rock concert and multimedia event covering DiNizio's 32-year career in rock and roll.

A live band performs the hits that shaped DiNizio's childhood, paying tribute to his musical heroes such as Buddy Holly and The Beatles, and includes chart-topping songs from The Smithereens. Video screens show rare footage and photos that accompany the musical journey from life in New Jersey to rock and roll stardom.

"This show is a chance for me to pay tribute to the kings of rock and roll," says DiNizio. "After more than three decades of performing, I am excited to bring this experience to the Las Vegas Strip and Riviera Hotel & Casino."

"I have been a long-time fan of The Smithereens and having Pat DiNizio perform six nights a week at the Riviera is great for music lovers," said Andy Choy , president and CEO of Riviera Hotel & Casino. "Pat has a very interesting story to tell, from his humble beginnings to performing in Las Vegas ."

The Smithereens hit the rock charts with "Blood and Roses," "Only a Memory" and "A Girl Like You".
Tickets to Confessions of a Rock Star are $29.95 and can be purchased at the Riviera box office, online at www.RivieraHotel.com or at 702-794-9433. Showtime is 7 p.m. Wednesday – Monday nights.

About The Riviera Hotel & Casino
Celebrating more than 55 years of non-stop entertainment, the newly renovated Riviera Hotel & Casino is one of the iconic casino and hotel destinations in Las Vegas . With more than 2,000 hotel rooms and 160,000 square feet of convention space, the Riviera brings a rich tradition of quality, service and hospitality excellence. Located on the north end of Las Vegas Boulevard, the Riviera features the only bingo room on the Strip, headlining entertainment, wonderful dining options and more than 100,000 square feet of casino space. For more information, visit www.RivieraHotel.com.


Otis Taylor’s Contraband set for release February 13, 2012

Pedal steel player Chuck Campbell (left) and Otis Taylor jam on the Renaissance Stage during the second half of the 13th annual Doheny Blues Festival in Dana Point in May 2010.

Otis Taylor isn’t defined by any single category. A musical alchemist and a true innovator, Taylor has never been afraid to experiment beyond the blues tradition.


The subject matter on his new CD, Otis Taylor’s Contraband, set for release February 13 on Telarc, is familiar terrain as he sings of love, social injustices, personal demons and war.


The album takes its title from an article that appeared in Preservation Magazine about runaway slaves who during the American Civil War escaped to the Union lines at Fort Monroe, VA. Known as “contraband,” they lived in camps where conditions were often worse than life on the plantation.


On Otis Taylor’s Contraband, the iconoclastic bluesman is reunited with several longtime collaborators including Ron Miles on cornet, pedal steel guitarist Chuck Campbell, djembe player Fara Tolno, fiddler Anne Harris and the Sheryl Renee Choir. Bass is handled by Taylor’s daughter Cassie and Todd Edmunds.

Information: http://www2.concordmusicgroup.com/artists/Otis-Taylor/


AMOS LEE TO RELEASE B-SIDES EP, AS THE CROW FLIES, ON FEBRUARY 14TH, 2012

EP Includes Six Tracks From The Mission Bell Recording Sessions Featuring Lee Backed By Members of Calexico


Blue Note recording artist Amos Lee will release a six-song collection of previously unheard songs as a CD, digital, and 10”-vinyl EP, entitled As The Crow Flies, on February 14, 2012. The songs were recorded during the sessions for Lee’s critically acclaimed album Mission Bell, which was produced by Calexico frontman and multi-instrumentalist Joey Burns. The tracks on As The Crow Flies are also produced by Burns and feature musical backing by Burns and Calexico drummer John Convertino.


Mission Bell debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums and Billboard Rock Albums charts when it was released in January 2011, earning the Philadelphia-born singer-songwriter the highest chart position and best sales week of his career. Earning critical raves from scores of media outlets, the album also spawned the Triple A radio hit “Windows Are Rolled Down,” which gave Lee his first-ever No. 1 single.


In other Lee news, on November 19th, PBS began airing ACL Presents: Americana Music Festival featuring the genre’s established and rising artists performing at the 10th Americana Music Association Honors and Awards ceremony at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, where Lee joined a line-up that included Robert Plant, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Civil Wars, and The Avett Brothers.

This month, Lee wraps up an amazing year with his final live performances of 2011, which include an appearance at KBCO’s Holiday Concert Series in Denver with Brett Dennen on December 9, and two shows with one of Lee’s heroes, singer-songwriter John Prine, on the 16th and 17th. Lee also recently captured an amazing performance at Tucson’s historic Fox Theatre with members of Calexico for the upcoming fourth season of Public Television’s hit program Live From The Artists Den with the episode due to air in early 2012. For a sneak peek, watch the trailer here: http://artistsden.com/2012/. In January Lee heads to Europe for two-sold out shows in Amsterdam, as well as shows in Paris and London — all with support from The Punch Brothers. Please see below for details.


The track-listing for As The Crow Flies is as follows:

“The Darkness”

“Simple Things”

“Say Goodbye”

“May I Remind You”

“Mama Sail To Me”

“There I Go Again”



Lee’s upcoming tour dates are as follows:


12/09 Denver, CO Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre (w/Brett Dennen)

12/16 Mobile, AL Saenger Theatre (w/John Prine)

12/17 New Orleans, LA Mahalia Jackson Theatre for the Performing Arts (w/John Prine)

01/16 Amsterdam Paradiso (w/The Punch Brothers) SOLD-OUT

01/17 Amsterdam Paradiso (w/The Punch Brothers) SOLD-OUT

01/19 Paris La Cigale (w/The Punch Brothers)

01/21 London Shepherd’s Bush Empire (w/The Punch Brothers)

For more information:
www.amoslee.com

THE SMITHEREENS CONFIRM FIRST ALBUM OF NEW MATERIAL IN 12 YEARS, 'SMITHEREENS 2011,' OUT APRIL 5

The Smithereens, from left, features lead guitarist Jim Babjak, bassist Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion, drummer Dennis Diken and lead singer-guitarist Pat DiNizio.


THE SMITHEREENS CONFIRM FIRST ALBUM OF NEW MATERIAL IN 12 YEARS, 'SMITHEREENS 2011,' OUT APRIL 5

The Smithereens have confirmed the April 5 release of 'Smithereens 2011' (eOne Music), their first album of new material in 12 years. Produced by Don Dixon (who helmed Especially For You, the group's breakout debut), Smithereens 2011 features 13 new tracks and finds the seminal New Jersey rockers picking up right where they left off: with irresistibly catchy hooks and rapturously fuzzed-out guitars. Pulsing with the same raw energy and vitality the band first conveyed 25 years ago, the album easily ranks with the best work The Smithereens have ever recorded.

Eschewing extensive pre-production, the band--lead singer/guitarist Pat DiNizio, guitarist Jim Babjak, drummer Dennis Diken, and bassist Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion--cut a raw and electric album in the best tradition of Cheap Trick or Big Star that just begs you to roll down the windows and crank up the volume. "We cut our teeth on albums that were carefully crafted to take you someplace," says Dixon, who's been dubbed "The Fifth Smithereen" by the band and also co-produced REM's early records. "That's all we ever want to do. Take you someplace better."

The Smithereens first came to national prominence in 1986 with their debut album Especially for You, which was propelled by the instant classic single "Blood and Roses." The band earned a devoted legion of fans through relentless touring and multiple Top 40 hits, including "A Girl Like You" and "Too Much Passion." Twenty-five years into their career, the band's enduring sound remains as relevant today as ever, with their influence on everyone from Nirvana to Weezer playing a major role in shaping the past two decades of alternative rock. Since their last original album, 1999's God Save The Smithereens, the band has toured steadily and released tributes to The Beatles and The Who, and each member has garnered critical acclaim with their own respective solo projects.

'Smithereens 2011' Tracklisting:
1. Sorry
2. One Look At You
3. A World of Our Own
4. Keep On Running
5. Rings On Her Fingers
6. As Long As You Are Near Me
7. Bring Back The One I Love
8. Nobody Lives Forever
9. Goodnight Goodbye
10. All The Same
11. Viennese Hangover
12. Turn It Around
13. What Went Wrong

The Smithereens On the Web:
http://www.officialsmithereens.com

Go to AOL Spinner to stream the album single "Sorry" - http://aol.it/gg15so

The Smithereens Play Tommy

I just received this press release and thought it was worth featuring here. The Smitheerns have released several Beatles tributes this decade, and the New Jersey outfit's approach with The Who's 1969 rock opera looks promising.

Punk Rock Opera Meets the Godfathers of Pop! The Smithereens to Release "The Smithereens Play Tommy," a 40th Anniversary Tribute to the Landmark Album by The Who, on May 5, 2009
New Studio Album to Hit in Fall 2009
Tuesday March 31, 2009

Pop legends The Smithereens are set to release "The Smithereens Play Tommy," a tribute to the landmark rock opera by The Who, on May 5, 2009.
The band is also currently in rehearsals with 12 new tracks for its upcoming new studio album, due later in 2009.

Whether it was The Who or The Kinks that created the very first "Rock Opera," or whether "TOMMY" is even an "Opera" at all, the May 23, 1969 release of the double "Tommy" album was a true landmark in rock history. Who fans had already been galvanized by the album's first single, "Pinball Wizard," released in March of '69 and already a huge hit. But critics and fans alike were unprepared for what they would hear on the album.
Meticulously arranged and produced in the studio, the album's sound shocked many Who fans who were expecting that familiar power guitar sound made famous by songs like "Substitute," "Can't Explain," or even the electrified version of "Summertime Blues" that The Who debuted on their celebrated 1968 tour. Instead, Pete Townshend played mainly acoustic guitars, and the album featured multiple overdubs including keyboards, percussion, French horn and other parts. Listening to the album now, even the remastered version of the album sounds somewhat brittle, thin and theatrical.

When asked about this album, The Smithereens frontman Pat DiNizio stated, "This is punk rock opera meets the godfathers of pop. Plain and simple."
The Smithereens decided to make a proper, all-out studio version of one of the albums that inspired their rock dreams of becoming a band in the first place for this 40th anniversary tribute. The Who's unique sound will never be duplicated, but then again neither will The Smithereens' sound that has made them enduring rock icons over the past 25 plus years. The result is part Who, part Smithereens. Part totally familiar, and part unexpectedly unique... and 100% tour de force. The Smithereens' "musical dreams ain't quite what they seem" -- the result is more than a loving tribute and much more like an inspired re-imagining. After listening to this album a few times, you may never hear any of The Who's versions of Tommy the same way again.

Having released 7 albums -- and reaching Gold and Platinum status along the way -- during their career, The Smithereens spawned several Top 40 radio hits, including, "A Girl Like You," "Too Much Passion," "Blood and Roses" and more.
Look for the new studio albumin Fall 2009!