This Is Pat Dinizio

This Is Pat DiNizio Expanded two CD edition of this 2006 album from the Smithereens frontman includes a bonus CD containing an additional 18 tracks. On this release, DiNizio leaves his guitar in the case and croons pop classics in a smooth, low-key style. While he tackles a couple bone fide standards here, for the most part the set list is made up of tunes familiar to anyone who came of age in the 1960s covers of the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel, Henry Mancini, Bacharach/David, Jimmy Webb, and more. DiNizio tackles these songs with no accompanists other than Jazz pianist Jay Rowe, who handles the melodies in a tasteful and elegant manner. As for DiNizio, he's in fine voice on this set, and his phrasing is intelligent and well-considered. The album leaves no question that DiNizio has both the pipes and the musical sense to make this sort of project work, and "The Days Of Wine And Roses," "Moon River," and "My Funny Valentine" suggest he could have a second career as a jazz singer ahead of him.