THE BEAT
Yellowman, Crofut-Brubeck, Dredi
by Seth Rogovoy(WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass., June 12, 1997) -- THE BEAT "We've been waiting our turn, and we're excited," said Noel, frontman of Dredi, about the local, alternative-reggae outfit's opening slot at the Yellowman show on Saturday, the band's very first gig at the Studio. The Pittsfield native is especially happy to be a part of the revival of the old England Brothers building. "I have fond memories of riding the elevator, and Santa Claus on the toy floor, and my mother giving me a little money and going up there on a Saturday by myself and eating at the luncheonette when I was a boy." The members of Dredi, who were voted "Best Local Rock Band" by the readers of Berkshires Week earlier this year, are putting the finishing touches on an upcoming recording, "Now Is the Time," which Noel said he hopes will be ready later this month or next month. The title, he said, "is a line I frequently use in songs because I believe there is no time like now." In addition to Saturday's show at the Studio, you can catch Dredi on June 20 at the Macano Inn in Housatonic with Black Rebels, and on June 21 at LaFesta in North Adams.
Crofut and Brubeck: Crossing over
The work of Bill Crofut and Chris Brubeck has always been about breaking down barriers, or rather, proving the transparency of barriers. On recordings and in concert, the musicians segue effortlessly from a folk ballad to a jazz tune to a cowboy song to a blues burner to a Bach bouree, living proof of Duke Ellington's dictum, "If it sounds good, it is good." And with years of experience, their multiple talents and perhaps a little bit of the heredity factor -- Chris is the son of famed jazz pianist and composer Dave Brubeck -- Crofut and Brubeck always sound good. On their most recent recording, "Across Your Dreams: Frederica von Stade Sings Brubeck" (Telarc), they teamed with the opera diva on a selection of compositions written by or associated with the Brubeck musical clan, which also includes Chris's mom, Iola Brubeck. A celebration of the universality of good music at its finest, "Across Your Dreams" is a witty, warm and intelligent tribute to the careers and talent of all involved. Crofut and Brubeck, along with guitarist Joel Brown, will be on hand to help kick off the Koussevitzky Arts Festival at Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield on Saturday night at 8. Call (413) 528-8300 for information.Yellowman: Toasting success
Yellowman, a pioneer of Jamaican-style, dance-hall reggae, which incorporates spoken-word "toasting" -- a forerunner of American rap -- performs at the Studio in downtown Pittsfield on Saturday night. Born William Foster in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1956, Yellowman got his nickname as a result of his albinism, a skin condition characterized by lack of pigmentation, which resulted in his institutionalization at a young age. In spite of this early setback, and a more recent one involving throat and skin cancer, Yellowman fought back to become one of the best-selling reggae artists of all time. His hits include "Me Kill Barney," "Soldier Take Over," "Mad Over Me" and "I'm Getting Married." A dynamic, spirited performer -- he's been called "the Dennis Rodman of reggae" -- Yellowman will be joined by his Sagittarius Band in the old England Brothers building on North Street that now houses the Studio. Doors open at 6. Local reggae outfit Dredi kicks off the show at 9. Tickets are $12.50 in advance and $15 at the door, and are available at all Strawberries outlets or by calling (413) 663-7646.Backstage bits
While we wait to hear what the Studio has planned for entertainment this summer, here are a few wishes some folks have for the place itself: That the retail arcade be restored. That the bar at the back of the room be reopened to ease the pressure on the front bar and avoid the bottleneck near the stairs. That the first dozen rows of chairs be eliminated to allow for more room to dance or mingle up front near the stage....Backstage at the National Music Foundation's Berkshire Music Festival last month, Arlo Guthrie spoke about his role in the upcoming Furthur Festival, the traveling circus of post-Grateful Dead bands and other groups. This summer's lineup includes the Black Crowes, Bruce Hornsby, Moe., Bob Weir's Ratdog and Mickey Hart's Planet Drum, as well as Guthrie, who in addition to performing will emcee the show. "When I told my kids about it, they asked me, `Why you?' I told them they were looking for someone who could talk and say something at the same time," said Guthrie, explaining how he got the gig with what we like to call "The Night of the Living Dead." Catch Guthrie and the Furthur Festival when it comes to Riverside Park in Agawam on July 4 and the Saratoga (N.Y.) Performing Arts Center on July 6....
Good luck to Pittsfield native Adam Rothberg, who took off yesterday for Morocco, where he will begin a four-month tour playing guitar in Joan Baez's band. Catch them at the Newport (R.I.) Folk Festival on Aug. 9....
[This column appeared in the Berkshire Eagle on June 12, 1997. Copyright Seth Rogovoy 1997. All rights reserved.]
Seth Rogovoy
rogovoy@berkshire.net
music news, interviews, reviews, et al.
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