Winter pop preview
by Seth Rogovoy

(WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass., Jan. 23, 1998) -- If everything falls into place as promised, Berkshire pop fans will not have to wait until summertime to enjoy a wide array of concerts right here in the county. And with the Capitol Region and the Pioneer Valley close by, a fan could easily enjoy dozens of shows by big-name acts in a variety of styles over the next few weeks and months.

The Studio in Pittsfield will follow up last weekend's successful double-bill of Levon Helm and Max Creek with a Mardi Gras-inspired show by Louisiana legend Buckwheat Zydeco on Feb. 27, a benefit for the Pittsfield Fourth of July Parade Committee. At press time, the Studio was also negotiating for a popular Irish-American rock band to usher in the weekend before St. Patrick's Day on March 13.

Great Barrington's new jazz venue, the Celestial Bar at the Castle Street Cafe, is presenting live jazz nearly every night of the week, with top regional performers including the Ted Perry Quartet tonight, the Greg Wilks Trio on Saturday night, and pianist Mike Schiffer on Monday night. Upcoming gigs at Castle Street include Bit of Forgiveness on Jan. 28, the Steve Murray Trio on Jan. 30, the Teresa Broadwell Trio on Jan. 31, and the Havana Carbo Trio on Feb. 7.

In addition to its usual mix of the best of Berkshire bar bands, the Old Egremont Club in South Egremont occasionally presents bands from outside the area. Reggae outfit Abdul Baki and New Roots performs at the Old Egg tonight, One Straw Revolution comes on Feb. 6, and the Lustre Kings play on Feb. 20.

The Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield kicks off its winter-spring music series tomorrow night with an encore performance by the Laszlo Gardony Trio, featuring the Hungarian-born jazz pianist, at 8. Upcoming shows include the Vernon Jones World of Gospel choir (March 28), the Pioneer Valley-based Wholesale Klezmer Band (April 18), and singer-songwriter Suzzy Roche (May 16).

The Clark Art Institute in Williamstown kicks off its "From the Old World to the New" world-folk series on Feb. 21 with a performance by Celtic ensemble Anam. The Clark series continues on March 8 with folk supergroup Wayfaring Strangers, featuring mandolinist Andy Statman, banjoist Tony Trischka, guitarist John McGann, violinist Matt Glaser and former Story vocalist Jennifer Kimball. Internationally-renowned klezmer group Brave Old World comes to the Clark on March 15, and the African Troubadours, featuring traditional music of Morocco, Mali and Uganda, conclude the Clark series on March 21.

Folk fans have been flocking to the Old Stone Church House Concert Series in Williamstown, where Cliff Eberhardt and Ed Kohn perform on Feb. 8. Upcoming shows yet to be confirmed may feature Barbara Kessler, Dana Cooper and Steve Seskin.

The CC's Cafe series at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams continues tomorrow night with Full Moon Bay. Upcoming artists include Chris Williams (Jan. 31), Bowers and Harned (Feb. 7), Mica Richards (Feb. 21), Tor Krautter (Feb. 28), June Rich (March 28), Ben Swift Band (April 4), Chris Chandler (April 11), Jim's Big Ego (April 25) and Andy Offut Irwin (May 2). All shows in this free series begin at 9 and are followed by an open-mike session.

The National Music Foundation is reportedly on the verge of announcing a series of live collaborations with public radio station WAMC that will bring big-name performers to the organization's Lenox campus. Also expected soon is the announcement of a national headliner for this May's second annual Berkshire Music Festival, and other concerts to be held at the venue before the summer season heats up. Stay tuned for all this and more. v To the east, riding one of the most successful waves of his career, folk-rock legend Bob Dylan comes to Springfield Symphony Hall on Monday, Jan. 26. Nationally-known singer-songwriter Dar Williams, based in Northampton, performs in her hometown at the Academy of Music on Feb. 13, and at Bennington (Vt.) College on Feb. 27.

Williams' pals The Nields, also based in Northampton, play their home turf at the Iron Horse Music Hall on Feb. 15 on a double-bill with Jim's Big Ego. Other upcoming shows of note at the Iron Horse include jazz vocalist Holly Cole tomorrow night at 7, the Holmes Brothers on Jan. 30, God Street Wine on Feb. 2 and the Seldom Scene on Feb. 6.

Over in Albany, country hunk Tim McGraw is at the Pepsi Arena on Feb. 19 with openers the Mavericks. Pop sensations the Backstreet Boys share the bill with Los Umbrellos at the Palace Theatre on Jan. 27, and Ani DiFranco checks into the Palace on April 10. Folksinger Tom Rush is at the Eighth Step on Jan. 30, and Livingston Taylor is at the Empire Center for the Arts on March 7.

The Troy (N.Y.) Savings Bank Music Hall presents a stellar lineup of performers this season, including country-bluegrass artist Ricky Skaggs on Feb. 7, pop-jazz trumpeter Chuck Mangione on Feb. 14 and acoustic fusion legend David Grisman on Feb. 27. Jazz saxophonists Sonny Rollins (April 4) and Joshua Redman (May 2) will also be bringing their ensembles to Troy, as will Celtic artists Mick Moloney and Solas (March 8).

[This column originally appeared in the Berkshire Eagle on Jan. 23, 1998. Copyright Seth Rogovoy 1998. All rights reserved.]