New music from Bobby Sweet and Brooks Williams; Concert update
by Seth Rogovoy

(WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass., April 20, 1999) - Two new recordings by male singer-songwriters show that Western Massachusetts remains fertile territory for the creative imagination and the original voice.

It's hard to believe that Berkshire native Bobby Sweet, a longtime fixture on the local music scene, has only just released his first solo album, but "Hope's Café" was worth the wait. The CD features a dozen of Sweet's country-flavored, original compositions, in various arrangements ranging from tender acoustic ballads to full-bore country-rock.

Sweet, who has done stints in Nashville as a performer and staff songwriter, writes songs that are the equal of or better than most of what you hear on contemporary country radio. Granted, given the quality of much of what passes for commercial country music these days, that's not saying much, but it's something.

More than that, however, Sweet is a compelling vocalist, who combines the tender ache and intelligence of Lyle Lovett with the deep resonance of Randy Travis. Sweet plays most of the instruments on the album, which was recorded at Derek Studios in Dalton, including guitars, bass, keyboards, banjo, percussion and mandolin. Can you say "one-man band?"

Sweet, the former leader of the Dooley Austin Band, celebrates the release of "Hope's Café" with a CD release party Friday night, April 23, at Bucksteep Manor in the town of Washington at 7:30. Tickets are $5. Call 623-5535 for more info.

After eight albums you'd think there'd be nothing new to say about Brooks Williams. But on "Hundred Year Shadow" (Signature Sounds), the Northampton-based singer-songwriter gives free rein to his soulful, jazzy side. That the versatile guitar virtuoso can play jazz chords is no surprise - is there anything Williams can't play on guitar? -- but what is truly chilling is the easy way Williams slips into the role of soul singer on tunes including "Darker Kind of Blue," "My Love Will Follow You" and "The Good and the Bad."

Williams produced the album himself, and while the instrumentation is typically spare and understated, a few, well-chosen touches of Hammond organ by Michael Bellar and a sprinkling of vocal harmonies by Michelle Wallace serve to underline the soulful aspect of Williams' new material. As always, Williams takes a few musical detours, here including some Hawaiian slack-key, urban blues, African blues and a bit of Jimi Hendrix-meets-the Beatles. And Williams' songs are infused with the thoughtful, spiritual introspection that has become his trademark - full of personal insights and God-wrestling that never succumbs to new-age cliches.

Williams shares a double-bill with folk-rock singer-songwriter Mark Erelli next Friday night, April 30, at 7:30, at the Uncommon Grounds Coffeehouse and Juice Bar, at the former location of Hickory Bill's Barbecue at 403 Stockbridge Rd. (Route 7) in Great Barrington. Erelli recently released his eponymously-titled debut album, also on Signature Sounds, featuring 10 rootsy original songs in a John Hiatt/Ellis Paul vein. Tickets are $5. Call 528-0858 for more info.

Critic's picks: Local hero Robby Baier is in Boston this weekend for that city's music awards. Nominated for Outstanding Debut in the Contemporary Folk Album category, Baier performs tonight at the venerable Club Passim in Cambridge at 8:30. The Housatonic-based singer-songwriter's next local performance is at the Old Egremont Club in South Egremont on May 6, on a bill with singer-songwriter Meg Hutchinson, whose soon-to-be-released album was produced by Baier....Boston-based singer-songwriter Martin Sexton has worked his way up from sidewalks and street corners through small clubs and now, with a major-label album behind him ("The American" on Atlantic Records), he is headlining larger clubs and small theaters, including his show tomorrow night at Mt. Holyoke College's Chapin Auditorium.

....Singer-songwriter Lucy Kaplansky just released the best album of her career. There was never any question about her vocal abilities - she has one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary folk -- but the nine original songs on "Ten Year Night" (Red House) firmly establish Kaplansky and her co-writer Rick Litvin as tops in their field. Catch her tomorrow night at the Iron Horse in Northampton at 7 and Sunday night at Case Green in Saratoga Springs, N.Y....Tickets to Ben Folds Five at Williams College's hockey rink next Friday night, April 30, are now on sale to the general public at Toonerville Trolley Records in Williamstown. Doors open at 9 for the show, which is scheduled to begin at 10 with opening act Fleming and John....Over the course of the last few years, Boston trio Jim's Big Ego has built a strong local following for Jim Infantino's savvy, humorous alternative-folk. This everyman's cross between Beck and the Beastie Boys is at North Adams State College on Saturday, May 8 at 9. Call 662-5289 for more info.

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[This column originally appeared in the Berkshire Eagle on April 23, 1999. Copyright Seth Rogovoy 1999. All rights reserved.]