Susana Baca, Andy Stochansky, Ben Swift Band, Richard Thompson, Robyn Hitchcock
by Seth Rogovoy

(WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass., Oct. 29, 1999) -- Several concerts in and around the Berkshires in coming weeks give listeners a chance to sample performances by old, new or lesser-known artists, all of whom have recently released new recordings in a variety of styles.

Next Wednesday, Nov. 3, Afro-Peruvian singer Susana Baca performs in Chapin Hall at Williams College at 8 p.m. Baca's eponymous debut album, released on David Byrne's Luaka Bop label, features 10 numbers by Baca accompanied by spare, percussive backup, with occasional touches of acoustic guitar and violin. Percussion instruments include congas, clay pots and various wooden boxes.

Sometimes called "the voice of Black Peru," Baca, 52, draws her material from traditional and contemporary Afro-Peruvian folk culture. Her songs mirror Peru's polyglot mixture of Spanish, African, and indigenous Andean culture. Some numbers seem to hint at the influence of American jazz, particularly the bass line in "Se Me Van Los Pies," and Cuban and Brazilian touches are also evident. Some of Baca's compositions are based on Latin American poetry. Often her lyrics address issues of contemporary Afro-Peruvian culture, such as "Negra Presentuosa (Pretentious Black Girl)," in which she sings to the title character, "Your freedom's heels are crushing me."

Baca's concert is the second in Williams's new Widing World Music series. Admission is $5; free with Williams ID. For more info call 597-3146.

Boston singer-songwriter Ben Swift avoids the typical musical cliches afflicting his ilk by fronting an unusual trio consisting of guitar, trombone and drums. Guitarist/singer Swift's whispery, low-key vocals dance above the funky bottom-line, one part New Orleans, one part groove, on his debut album, "Chimpanzee" (StoneBone). The result has variously been compared to Dave Matthews and Spin Doctors.

Swift doesn't mince words, either; his song "Bandwagon Jack" pokes fun at trend-hoppers ("Look at all the ducks/Lined up in a row/Waiting for a breadcrumb/To tell them where to go"). Swift was awarded a songwriting scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston, and his songs have been used on the TV program "Melrose Place." He will be joined by trombonist Dan Fox and drummer Wylie Wirth at CCs Café tomorrow night at 9 p.m. in the Sullivan Lounge at North Adams State College.

A little-known cult artist for much of his 20-plus-year career, Robyn Hitchcock is currently enjoying his highest profile, in large part due to last year's Jonathan Demme-directed concert film, "Storefront Hitchcock." Hitchcock, who fronted such seminal new-wave groups as the Soft Boys and the Egyptians, is a cultural critic disguised as a singer-songwriter, and on his latest album, "Jewels for Sophia" (Warner Bros.), he applies his trenchant, very English wit to gourmet cheese, space travel, and Gene Hackman.

In his press notes, Hitchcock writes of the songs on his latest album, "What I really wanted to say was that the world is being destroyed by corporate greed, machismo and fundamentalist ideology….After a lifetime of queasy paranoia, we are closer today than ever to our worst fears being realized." Anyone who is sick of hearing about what a great place Seattle is will appreciate "Viva! Sea-Tac" ("People flocked like cattle to Seattle after Kurt Cobain and before him the rain…They've got the best computers and coffee and smack"). Members of R.E.M., the Young Fresh Fellows and Grant Lee Buffalo help out on Hitchcock's latest effort, much of it produced by Jon Brion. Hitchcock is at the Iron Horse in Northampton this Sunday, Oct. 31.

In somewhat of a similar vein – at least as far as sharing cult-artist status and a very pointed, serio-comic English sensibility – is Richard Thompson. Thompson's latest album, "Mock Tudor" (Capitol), ranks with the best solo efforts of his career, which stretches back to 1967, when he cofounded the seminal folk-rock group Fairport Convention. "Mock Tudor" is one of Thompson's most personal albums, with dark, folk-laced confessional ballads and portraits of small-town, small-minded England. Thompson, who turned 50 this year, bookends the Berkshires with performances at the Egg in Albany on Nov. 14 and at the Calvin Theatre in Northampton on Nov. 18.

Tonight Amherst College is hosting a triple-bill of contemporary ska featuring Spring Heeled Jack, Pilfers and the Pietasters. On "Awesome Mix Tape No. 6" (Hellcat), the Pietasters, a Washington, D.C.-based septet, display a classic, soul-influenced approach to the upbeat Jamaican dance music.

Up until now, Andy Stochansky has been best known as Ani DiFranco's drummer. Last year Stochansky left the righteous babe to strike out on his own, and the result, "Radio Fusebox" (Population 60) is simply one of the best albums of the year, perhaps even the decade. Who knew that lurking behind the goddess was a latter-day cross between Brian Eno and John Cale? "Radio Fusebox" is chock full of gorgeous, dreamy, electro-acoustic song-poems, some with funk underpinnings, other driven by strings and hand percussion. Stochansky boasts a delicate, yearning voice and a gift for complex yet catchy melody, and he draws on the talents of an army of instrumentalists for his pulsating, highly textural arrangements. As it turns out, the best thing Stochansky did was leave DiFranco's employ and introduce the world to perhaps the next David Byrne. Catch Stochansky on Saturday, Nov. 6, at the Iron Horse.

Finally, that master of rock 'n' roll theater, Meat Loaf, is on the road touting a two-CD retrospective, "The Very Best of Meat Loaf" (Epic), which includes unforgettable rock dramas such as "You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth," "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad," "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" and "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)." Loaf will be at the Palace Theatre in Albany tomorrow night.

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[This column originally appeared in the Berkshire Eagle on Oct 29, 1999. Copyright Seth Rogovoy 1999. All rights reserved.]