Bandon 33, Beth Orton, Karen Savoca
by Seth Rogovoy

(WILLIAMSTOWN, June 17, 1999) -- There's a bewitching theme running through the aptly-titled "Latin Spell" (Brownstone), the latest CD by Edu Tancredi and Bandon 33. On the recording, the 10-piece band delivers an Afro-Cuban-juiced version of the theme song to the 1960s TV show, "Bewitched," and offers up an original composition titled "A Cha Cha for Endora," which astute TV viewers will recognize as a nod toward the mother of the lead character, Samantha, from the same TV program.

The musical tribute to the show is light-hearted, although it does remind one that Latin music was more of a mainstream flavor in the '50s and '60s - remember Ricky Ricardo on "I Love Lucy" -- and it works as an accessible entry point for listeners curious about Bandon 33's brand of salsa. Not that Bandon 33 needs to go to any great lengths to make its music accessible. The infectious dance rhythms and brassy textures of Latin jazz are well-established, and based on the CD, Tancredi's group lends a funky, brightly modern spin to the lively conjuntos, descargas, boleros, timbas, comparsas and montunos. Most of all, the arrangements by Tancredi - the Uruguayan-born, Berklee-trained pianist/arranger who also works with South American group Sol y Canto - aren't mere dance tunes, but showcases for the jazzy solo and ensemble playing of his big band. Bandon 33 is at the National Music Foundation's Center Theater in Lenox on June 19, at 8. Call 637-4718 for more details.

Beth Orton: Moody modern

In another time - the 1970s, perhaps -- Beth Orton might've been just another acoustic, guitar-strumming, folkie singer-songwriter. Buried beneath the lushly orchestrated, beat-enhanced folk-pop of "Central Reservation" (Arista), one hears echoes of such tragic, brooding folk legends as Nick Drake, Tim Buckley and Sandy Denny. But Orton is no frail, teary-eyed madonna. Standing a full six-feet tall, the 29-year-old Englishwoman sings in a confident, mature tenor, well-suited for hard-hitting rock songs like "Stolen Car" and just achy enough for jazzy ballads like "Sweetest Decline" and "So Much More." In her young career she has already collaborated with the likes of electronic artist William Orbit, English rockers Primal Scream, New Orleans singer-pianist Dr. John and state-of-the-art beatmasters the Chemical Brothers. When she puts it all together it comes out in an ultra-hip contemporary mix. Catch Orton live at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton on Friday, June 18, at 8:30. Call (413) 584-0610.

Karen Savoca: Heavy petal

If you want to catch a singer-songwriter on the way up you might want to check out Karen Savoca, in her debut slot as a headliner at the Iron Horse in Northampton on Saturday, June 19, at 7. Well-known to Iron Horse audiences as an opening act, the leap to headliner at the prestigious coffeehouse is an indication of Savoca's growing popularity and critical esteem, just as she has made her way from the showcase stage at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival to the mainstage, where you can catch her next month on July 22-25. Savoca boasts a smooth, Rickie Lee Jones-like jazz voice but she's not afraid to let the bluesy, rough edges show. She's more Bonnie Raitt than Joni Mitchell, with a bit of Shawn Colvin's childlike quality thrown into the mix for good measure. While on her new CD, "Sunday in Nandua" (Alcove), she handles multiple instrumental chores, including guitar, harpsichord, clavinet, dulcimer, mandolin, melodica and piano, in performance she mainly sticks to percussion, while husband Peter Heitzman accompanies on guitar. Her songs are lazy, jazz-folk grooves -- hinting at their neo-hippie nature, Savoca describes her music as "agri-love songs" or "heavy petal."

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[This column originally appeared in the Berkshire Eagle on June 17, 1999. Copyright Seth Rogovoy 1999. All rights reserved.]