THE BEAT
Vance Gilbert's edgy luminosity
by Seth Rogovoy(WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass., April 3, 1997) -- On his debut CD, "Edgewise" (Philo), Vance Gilbert faced head on with humor his unusual position as a lone black man on the lily-white, new-folk scene on the novelty tune, "Country Western Rap." Then Gilbert turned right around -- in case anyone thought mistakenly that race is NOT an issue for Gilbert or anyone living in the U.S. in the '90s -- and followed that tune with "Good Cup of Coffee," a subtle yet devastating look at the insidiousness of racism's deeply rooted legacy. But ultimately on "Edgewise" and the follow-up, "Fugitives" (Philo), what is most noteworthy about Gilbert is his soulful melodicism and his well-crafted story-songs that capture ordinary people in moments of luminous discovery. Gilbert brings his silky smooth tenor and mischievous showmanship to Milltown Studios in North Adams on Sunday, April 6, at 6 as part of the Music on Main Street series. Pioneer Valley singer/guitarist Max Cohen, who has been written up in Guitar Player magazine, opens the show. Call 662-5770 for more info.
Trailer Park's "Barbecue Music"
For the last three years, the Greenfield-based Trailer Park has been playing its self-styled "barbecue music" in clubs throughout New England, including six headlining gigs at the Iron Horse in Northampton. They got tagged with the "barbecue" description undoubtedly because the group's blend of rootsy, Motown-, Beatles- and Blasters-influenced original tunes beg to be heard outdoors on a lazy summer afternoon with burgers grilling nearby. But what actually distinguishes Trailer Park's sound is the twin saxophone attack courtesy of Greg Lauzon and Rick Page. Catch the band's good-time, rock 'n' soul at the Old Egremont Club in South Egremont on Friday, April 4, on a double bill with Lord Hill, and on Friday, May 9, at LaCocina in Pittsfield.
Backstage bits
In addition to the above mentioned show by Vance Gilbert and the already announced Barbara Kessler date on April 20, Milltown Studios has announced a whole new slate of shows for the North Adams venue, including Free At Last on April 12, Dead White Males on April 25, Cole Connection on May 3, Jeffrey Folmer on May 10, Ernie Williams and the Wildcats on May 17, Mark Monaghan on May 25 and the Ray Mason Band on May 30. Call 662-2725 for more info....Rumor has it that Edward Kowalczyk, the lead singer of mega-rock band Live, has been making serious time with a local woman from Pittsfield. The story goes that he picked her out of the crowd at a concert last year, and that since then he has been spotted with the mystery woman at such chic city gathering spots as the Misty Moonlight Diner. Anyone know who the mystery woman is?....
Lollapalooza watch: The official Lollapalooza Internet web site has mysteriously disappeared, leading to speculation that it has been taken down in order to be revamped in time to announce this summer's lineup, which is expected to include Korn, Tool, Failure and Tricky, among others. Don't count out Green Mountain Race Track in Pownal, Vt., just yet....
Artists confirmed for LilithFair -- the all-woman alternative to Lollapalooza -- include Sarah McLachlan, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Neneh Cherry, Paula Cole, Jewel, Lisa Loeb, Victoria Williams, Kelly Willis and Suzanne Vega. At this time only McLachlan is confirmed to be playing every date on the tour, which is expected to last from early July through the end of August. No word yet on where it might appear in this area. Tanglewood, anyone?....
Kenny Aronoff was spotted recently playing behind Bon Jovi at Ford's Theatre in the nation's capital in a benefit concert attended by President Clinton, who shook the Stockbridge native's hand at the end of the show. Having completed last year's Melissa Etheridge tour, the superstar rock drummer is about to hit the road for the next eight months with Creedence Clearwater Revival founder John Fogerty. No word yet on how close that show might come to our area. The Studio in Pittsfield, anyone?....
Jim's Big Ego, featuring Jim Infantino, new-folk's cross between the Beastie Boys and Warren Zevon, is coming to the Macano Inn in Housatonic on Friday, April 11. Local singer-songwriter JoAnne Spies is scheduled to open the show at 8. Call 274-6636 for tickets and information....
Bob Dylan bookends the Berkshires in mid-April, with shows at Smith College's John M. Greene Hall in Northampton on April 15 and at SUNY- Albany's R.A.C.C. on April 18. Dylan is rumored to have been recording a new album recently....
[This column originally appeared in the Berkshire Eagle on April 3, 1997. Copyright Seth Rogovoy 1997. All rights reserved.]
Seth Rogovoy
rogovoy@berkshire.net
music news, interviews, reviews, et al.
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