THE BEAT
Out of the Blue wants into your tape deck
by Seth Rogovoy(WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass., June 5, 1997) -- Berkshire country band Out of the Blue has finally produced a recording that captures the group's agile, versatile approach, steeped in integrity and country-soul. The new, eponymously-titled cassette features a dozen originals written by the husband-and-wife core of the band, Joel and Lisa Sturz of Lee, in styles ranging from the jazzy, western swing of "One Thin Dime" and "Hey Wait" to the pedal-steel drenched balladry of "Nothin' Unusual," the bluegrass-driven "Constant Companion," the ragtime-influenced "Kick Out the Cat," the countrypolitan pop of "Cast My Fate" and the aptly-titled "Honkytonk History." The group even ventures into Little Feat-style, country-funk territory with "Rumblin,'" the tape's closer.
But more than its eclectic catalog of intelligent, well-crafted songs steeped in country's finest traditions, "Out of the Blue" boasts the gorgeously rich, dusky lead vocals of Lisa Sturz and virtuoso musicianship -- sinuous guitar leads, honky-tonk piano riffs, and the crucial textures and colors provided by Andy Gordon on pedal steel and banjo. The tape, which was recorded at Derek Studios in Dalton, is available at Apple Tree Books in Lee and the Book Loft in Great Barrington, or by calling (413) 243-3134. Catch Out of the Blue live this Saturday night at the Old Egremont Club in South Egremont at 9.
Goin' to the Chapel
One of the most unique music venues in the Berkshires has to be St. Andrew's Chapel in the town of Washington, home to the Stone Chapel Concert Series, which features top contemporary folk artists from the region and across the nation. The turn-of-the-century chapel, on Washington Mountain Road next to Bucksteep Manor, is in the process of being fully restored, and its beauty rivals that of the songs performed in its intimate, contemplative confines.The Berkshires' own, nationally-known treasure Bernice Lewis -- who needs no restoration -- kicks off this year's series this Sunday at 4. Joining Lewis will be her sometime duet partner Janet Feld, a Boston- based singer-songwriter who is no slouch herself. Upcoming shows in the series include Northampton singer-songwriter Brooks Williams plus Pierce Campbell on June 29, Chuck Brodsky on July 20, Deb Pasternak and Mike Agranoff on Aug. 10, and Anson Olds on Aug. 31. All shows are at 4. General admission is $9. For more information call (413) 623-5438 or E- mail darkmoon@vgernet.net.
Milltown's Gallery of Music
Milltown Studios on Main Street in North Adams kicks off its summer series in its Gallery of Music this weekend with back-to-back shows by singer-songwriters Derrik Jordan on Friday night and Linda Worster on Saturday night.As heard on his first full-length CD, "Expecting a Miracle," Jordan plays a Stevie Wonder-influenced brand of pop-folk or "blue-eyed soul." Like Wonder, Jordan couches some pretty straightforwardly simplistic, positive messages in catchy R&B- and Latin-influenced tunes, and he has the voice to pull them off. The album by the Westminster, Vt.-based musician was produced by Tom "T-Bone" Wolk, of "Saturday Night Live" and Hall and Oates fame.
As heard on her most recent CD, "Different From the Rest," the Eastern Mass.-based Worster also writes and sings straightforward compositions, which range from the heavily philosophical to the humorous. Upcoming artists at Milltown include local band Dafe Brudajo on Saturday, June 14, and Gideon Freudmann plus Sharon Foehl on Saturday, June 28. All shows are at 8:30; doors open at 8. Coffee, tea and light snacks are available. Seating is general admission. Tickets are $7. For more information call (413) 662-2725.
Jazzing up the slopes
The swooshing sounds of skiers schussing down the slopes give way to the smooth, cool sounds of contemporary jazz at the Catamount Ski Area in South Egremont, where the first Columbia-Berkshire Jazz Festival, with Avenue Blue featuring Jeff Golub, takes place this Saturday beginning at 1. Golub is perhaps best known for his work backing such rock stars as Rod Stewart and Billy Squier, but with his new group, Avenue Blue, he has thrown himself into the world of pop-jazz, where Kenny G reigns supreme among the likes of Dave Koz, Bob James and Craig Chaquico. The all-day festival also includes Capital District artists Matt Herskowitz and the Street Jazz Ensemble. Tickets are $22 in advance and $25 at the gate. For more information call (413) 528-1262.[This column originally appeared in the Berkshire Eagle on June 5, 1997. Copyright Seth Rogovoy 1997. All rights reserved.]
Seth Rogovoy
rogovoy@berkshire.net
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